Touchdown Pass - Freeman - 21 In Ot - News

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are generally commencing to check and talk being a legitimate playoff contender.

The Bucs must work a little extra to keep their playoff rise in existence Sunday. Josh Freeman used some sort of 15-yard touchdown pass for you to Dallas Clark inside overtime to covering that Buccaneers' 27-21 comeback conquer the Carolina Panthers.

It seemed to be Freeman's 3 rd touchdown pass with the game for that Bucs (6-4), with earned five of these last five to help yank in to playoff contention.

But as an alternative to celebrating their dramatic win, Clark written after concerning understanding from it.

"We acquired a new lessons today that we are unable to just look along with acquire a game," Clark said. "I wish people could possibly get it. We're lucky it's actually not a loss. I expect most of us go back and show off from your picture and say, 'Hey we all didn't enjoy well.' Sure, many of us played out properly ample to produce several plays in order to succeed on the end, although to acquire wherever we need to go, that was not up to scratch football."

Meanwhile, your Panthers (2-8) would love to employ a win virtually any way they can get it.

Carolina has misplaced seven associated with it is very last eight. The Panthers stored a fourth-quarter guide inside personal trainer in their last six problems before removal within the last seconds.

"It's recently been situation with some of our season," claimed Cam Newton, that threw intended for 252 back yards in addition to a new touchdown to tumble for you to 8-18 as a possible NFL starter.

When enquired in which this particular loss placed between this specific season's meltdowns, Newton snapped, "I'm not really resolving no a lot more queries concerning when this place ranks."

Carolina been seen in to own the overall game to hand when Newton attached with a 29-yard touchdown affect that will Brandon LaFell to search in place 21-10 using five moments left in regulation.

But after a 40-yard industry intention by way of Connor Barth, the particular Panthers' felony would not place the game away and experienced to punt.

Freeman swiftly led this Bucs 80 meters on seven plays in 50 seconds, inspite of lacking just about any timeouts. Along the way, the particular Bucs benefited originating from a personal foul penalty on linebacker Thomas Davis to get hitting a defenseless receiver.

Freeman accomplished the drive which has a flawlessly thrown 24-yard touchdown pass to Vincent Jackson between three defenders with 12 seconds left. He gone back to Jackson to get a 2-point conversion process on some sort of slant option to post them directly into overtime.

In overtime, this Bucs gained this coin throw out and transferred swiftly down your industry with Freeman discovering a strong open Clark on a steering wheel route under the still left sideline for that winner.

"You've got to help adore it when the linebacker swears seeing that you might be proceeding in place field," Clark mentioned using a laugh.

Freeman said it was a new play the Bucs did wonders on all week and he's pleased that has been that call.

"When most of us have to overtime most of us walked straight into the huddle as well as everyone had been memorized along with we all going talking like, 'Hey we will just execute just one perform with a moment and carry out our own jobs along with attempt to emerge on this point that has a touchdown,'" Freeman said.

The Bucs emerged with as one with the best teams while in the league, having obtained a typical regarding 35.6 things every online game through past five games. Freeman had cast tough luck touchdown subsides plus only 1 interception in those games.

But after Tampa Bay jumped to a 10-0 lead your Panthers' defense close these folks down for many of the remainder in the about three quarters, forcing three turnovers. A 74-yard interception come back for the touchdown simply by Captain Munnerlyn as well as a important fumble through rookie Doug Martin over a fourth-and-goal at the 1-yard line loomed large.

Trailing 14-10, the Bucs seemed willing to take that steer right after traveling 15 performs towards Carolina 1.

But upon fourth down, train Greg Schiano resolved to go for the touchdown besides the industry purpose and linebacker Davis plowed in to Martin, forcing the actual shot out nearby the objective line. Fellow linebacker Luke Kuechly, the team's first-round draft pick, recovered eventually zone for any touchback.

Officials analyzed the actual have fun with to view whenever Martin got in, however the name stood.

The Panthers arrested that impetus whenever Newton led the crew 80 back yards for any credit score to create a 21-10 lead.

But once again, your Panthers could not finish.

Second-year private coach Ron Rivera, whose couch merely grew steamy once that loss, reported the action seemed to be exactly about skipped opportunities. Rivera stated the actual decline "is suitable up right now there at the top" in terms with toughest versions that will swallow.

"This is all about as harmful as it gets," this individual said. "The bad component is actually when you experience opportunities to be able to close up someone out using a four-minute offense, nevertheless , you can not have negative plays. That's your tough one."

NOTES: Freeman has today thrown 16 touchdown passes in the very last five games. . Wide receiver Steve Smith wounded his fretting hand as well as defensive end Charles Johnson his travel in the game, but together returned. . Martin had 138 meters your company for that Bucs. . Carolina possessed 97 yards rushing after getting stored to be able to 10 while in the previous getting together with when using the Bucs inside the season opener.

_