Bucs Punch Playoff Ticket, Panthers Shutout Again in Season Finale

The Panthers finish the season 2-15.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - One of the worst, if not the worst, season of Carolina Panthers is officially in books as they dropped the season finale to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9-0. 

This marks the first time in franchise history that the Panthers were shutout in consecutive games and is the first time an NFL team had been held scoreless in back-to-back games since the 2008 Cleveland Browns.

Carolina thought they had the first points of the game on a 57-yard touchdown pass from Bryce Young to DJ Chark, however, the score was wiped off the board after being reviewed as Chark fumbled the ball before crossing the plane. 

Tampa settled for a pair of field goals to take a 6-0 lead into the half and only managed three points, but the 39-yarder by McLaughlin early in the fourth made it a two-score game, putting Carolina in a hole they couldn't climb out of. 

With the win, the Buccaneers clinch the NFC South division and head back to the playoffs.

Best of the Day: End of the season.

If we're being honest, there was nothing good that came out of this game. The offense continued to be stagnant and it never felt like Carolina was in it despite being a one-score game for much of the day. We can officially close the book on this dreadful season and I'm sure much of the fanbase will be eager to do so.

Worst of the Day: The entire offense.

Two touchdowns were called back - one as a result of a fumble, the other being a penalty for illegal formation on Terrace Marshall Jr. not covering the left tackle in the fourth quarter. Thomas Brown had several questionable play calls throughout the entire game, most notably on third down. He had no interest in throwing the ball down field and because of it, the Panthers lacked explosive plays.

Stat of the Game: Derrick Brown sets NFL record.

With a tackle midway through the second quarter, Derrick Brown set the NFL record for most tackles in a single season by a defensive lineman (99). He added a few more onto his tally, finishing the year with 103.

Highlight of the Game:

Thielen with the catch 🤩 pic.twitter.com/EAFqOqwkFM

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) January 7, 2024

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