CHARLOTTE — The Panthers have made some progress in recent weeks.
But they don’t have the kind of margin of error to give away chances.
The Panthers will rue what coaches from Dave Canales to Ron Rivera have called “missed opportunities” in Sunday’s 26-23 overtime loss to the Buccaneers, a game they’ll feel should have ended differently.
Whether it was settling for short field goals, missing field goals, or allowing the Bucs to run their way to the win, it will be a frustrating look back.
The Panthers made played when it counted. Bryce Young had his moment, driving the Panthers 60 yards for what appeared to be a game-winning touchdown to Adam Thielen.
But the Bucs still had 30 seconds left and Baker Mayfield at the wheel.
He quickly drove his side into position for a 51-yard field goal by Chase McLaughlin, which sent the Panthers to overtime for the second time in three games.
There were more chances and more plays in a game with dozens of twists and turns. They had a chance in overtime after McLaughlin missed a 55-yard field goal, with Thielen’s amazing one-handed catch putting them in position for one of their own.
But on the next play, Bucs linebacker Anthony Nelson ripped the ball away from Chuba Hubbard, giving the Bucs and McLaughlin another chance.
He hit that one, which dropped the Panthers to 3-9.