On Sunday, the Carolina Panthers took a loss for the 11th time this season. And for the 11th time this season, Bryce Young took some degree of blame for a disappointing result.
Young and his Panthers fell short of the host Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 13, taking a tough 21-18 loss in a pretty hard-fought battle. That battle effectively ended when Carolina, down three with just over two minutes remaining, failed to move the chains on both third-and-1 and fourth-and-1.
The rookie quarterback spoke about the deciding plays after the game.
“Third-and-1 . . . just didn’t get executed,” Young told reporters. “Fourth-and-1—that’s on me. Didn’t execute a pre-snap. Should’ve been a motion that gave us a better chance, and left that out. TB [offensive coordinator Thomas Brown] did a great job dialin’ up. Didn’t do a great job pre-snap.”
The ball from the fourth-and-1 try wound up in the hands of safety Antoine Winfield Jr., who cut in front of wide receiver Adam Thielen for the game-sealing interception. Despite Carolina’s success moving the ball behind running back Chuba Hubbard, who was just the second 100-yard rusher Tampa Bay has allowed all season, they opted for two passing plays with just one yard to gain.
Young finished the outing having completed 15 of his 31 throws for 178 yards and the pick.
