Is this a touchdown . . . ?
What do you think? Touchdown or no? pic.twitter.com/kQM7vNd7Z6
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 1, 2024
Because that looks like a touchdown, doesn’t it?
Well, that’s what the Carolina Panthers are trying to figure out.
Sunday’s overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has been somewhat overshadowed by the incompletion ruling on that very play. Despite seemingly gaining control of the ball and getting both a knee and an elbow down in the end zone, Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen was not credited with a touchdown—even after a replay review.
Not too long after the game, NFL replay executive Mark Butterworth noted that the lack of cameras for the late-afternoon matchup resulted in a lack of a sufficient angle of the catch . . . or non-catch.
Since then, a new shot of the play—one that presumably would’ve been sufficient enough—has emerged . . .
This is the best angle yet.
Big ups to the @Panthers video crew. pic.twitter.com/bjRCuca3e6
— Michael Bell (@avl_mike) December 4, 2024
On Wednesday, head coach Dave Canales was asked if there were any new developments regarding the ruling. Here was his response:
#Panthers sent the Adam Thielen play in to the league but Canales hasn’t seen the response yet. pic.twitter.com/2R7WCIrlGC
— Sheena Quick (@Sheena_Marie3) December 4, 2024
The ruling prevented what would have been an 8-yard touchdown to end the first half. Instead, the Panthers were forced to settle for a 27-yard field goal—giving them a 13-10 edge at the break.
Considering Carolina lost by three points—and in overtime, no less—that decision undoubtedly had an affect on the outcome of the game.
