Here’s where the Bucs are winning — short passes. The Panthers secondary are playing off the receivers short, and Chris Simms is finding open receivers awfully easily, to the tune of 15-for-19 for 98 yards. A late field goal capped off a solid half-ending drive that gave the Bucs a double-digit lead.
Carolina has not yet converted a 3rd down play. Tampa Bay is 6-for-9 on 3rd down. That’s no good.
If I were John Fox, I’d bust out the same halftime act he used in San Francisco last season. They need a serious excitement transfusion. And so does Jillian’s. There’s not much life in here or in Charlotte right now…