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Buccaneers Come Up Small In Biggest Game Of Season

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By MARTIN FENNELLY | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 9, 2008

Smashed.

That's what we saw.

That's what America saw.

Trampled.

That's what happened to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Carolina.

That's what happened to the up curve of this season.

Manhandled.

That's what happened.

That's exactly what happened.

It was the biggest game of the season, and the Bucs came up oh so small, and in the place you'd least expect it, the defensive side of the ball.

Has Monte Kiffin already left for Tennessee?

You can't overstate what the Bucs lost on "Monday Night Football," as they were overpowered 38-23 to now first-place Carolina.

Monday morning, the thoughts were about repeating in the NFC South and grabbing the No. 2 playoff seed in the conference. The thoughts were about maybe -- just maybe -- having a shot at a home game in the Super Bowl.

Smashed.

Now the Bucs are chasing the Panthers.

Now they're chasing just like everyone else.

It was a night when they were left lying on the field after missed tackles, countless missed tackles.

They had Carolina footprints on their faces. Now the Panthers are talking about catching the Giants for the No. 1 seed.

One night is all it took.

The defense that had been a scourge again this season allowed an astounding 464 yards, the second most ever allowed by a Kiffin Bucs defense, and at the worst possible time.

But it was how those yards piled up that truly amazed. The team that pushed Carolina around in Tampa earlier this season was simply punked.

Again and again, the Panthers rumbled over the Bucs or ran right through them. DeAngelo Williams went for 186 yards, and Jonathan Stewart went for 115. They went and they went and they went.

Williams broke a tackle by Tanard Jackson and went for 41. He shook off Derrick Brooks, who was so very quiet Monday. Or it was Chris Hovan missing a tackle, or Jermaine Phillips, or Ronde Barber more than once.

Manhandled.

Usually, 23 points would be enough for the Bucs on a night like this. Instead, they wasted a spectacular night from Antonio Bryant, who caught nine balls for 200 yards and two touchdowns, the second one a diving one-handed grab. For three quarters, the offense hung in there in a 17-17 tie.
But then the Bucs were ground into dust.

The drive that put the Panthers up 31-17 was symbolic. They went 90 yards in four plays -- all runs. Williams for 41. Stewart, banging off Barber, for 25. Williams bouncing outside to the left, around Barber, for the score.

Manhandled.

Later, after Bryant's circus catch, Williams toss right, 36 yards, touchdown.

What a sobering night for the Bucs.

That was to be the big national coming-out party.

This morning, they want to find someplace to hide.

This thing isn't over. The Panthers' remaining schedule hands them the Broncos, Giants and Saints, a combined 13 games over .500. The Bucs get the Falcons, Chargers and Raiders, a combined seven games under.

But this season took a dramatic turn Monday night.

Gone are lollipop thoughts.

The game at Atlanta on Sunday looms large.

But then, it always did.

This two-week stretch, at Carolina and Atlanta, was where we'd find out what the Bucs were really made of in 2008, we being doubters and believers alike.

Once it was the 2 seed.

Now it's a scramble, playoffs probably, probably on the road the first week, at Minnesota or Arizona, provided the Bucs stand their ground.

They were on the side of the road on Monday night.

Smashed.

Trampled.

Manhandled.

Everyone saw it.

The Bucs did, too.

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