Sir Purr
Well-known member
- Mar 16, 2019
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The Bucs outscored the Panthers, 29-6, in the second half and dominated total yardage to the tune of 322-35. Those 35 yards tied for the second-fewest in the second half in franchise history behind a 15-yard performance against the Bills on Sept. 10, 1995, in Carolina's second-ever game.
While, statistically, the fourth quarter was even worse than the third, it was the third that set the tone yet again. And it was quite the departure from what was yet another efficient and productive first half.
Through 10 games, the Panthers are stuck on 24 points scored and are averaging just 47.4 yards in the third quarter. Of their 20 third-quarter drives, they've now had nine punts, three touchdowns, two fumbles, two missed field goals, two turnovers on downs, a made field goal and an interception.
"We better find a way to do something better in the third quarter. It's been consistent and one of the few things we haven't improved," Rhule said. "To be 17-17 with that team, I was proud of our effort in the first half. We need to figure something out in the third quarter."
Added center Matt Paradis:
"I share the frustration. We've got to do better. We can't not perform in the third quarter or the second half. We've got to be able to move the ball and score points. We've got to be better. That was not alright."
Part of the problem is third downs — on both sides of the ball. But let's start with the offense.
The Panthers were 0-for-2 on third down in the third quarter and now have a 34.4 third-down conversion rate in the quarter this season. But third down wasn't just a third-quarter issue Sunday. Carolina converted only one of its nine attempts and went 0-for-4 in the second half. That helped Tampa Bay run 22 more plays and hold a time of possession advantage of nearly 11 minutes in the final two quarters.
Defensively, the Panthers allowed the Bucs to go 6-for-7 on third down in the first half, including a third-and-11 that led to a game-tying touchdown late in the second quarter. When Brady hit tight end Cameron Brate for a 19-yard gain on third-and-19 in the third quarter, the Bucs improved to 8-for-10 on third down. They finished 10-of-16 against a Panthers' defense that came in ranked 31st on third down this season.
"We put emphasis on it every week that that's the down," cornerback Rasul Douglas said. "I think we do play well enough on first and second down to get off the field on third down. And then, we just don't. We don't find a way."
At least the Jones back-breaker didn't come on third down. But it was in the third quarter following a nice hustle play by defensive back Myles Hartsfield, who helped the Panthers down a Joseph Charlton punt down at the Tampa Bay 2-yard line. When Jones took the first-down handoff, he popped through the middle of the Panthers' defense before sprinting through a diving effort by safety Jeremy Chinn for the 98-yard score.