By Joe Person, The Charlotte Observer –
TAMPA, Fla. — The Carolina Panthers’ long week in a state known for perpetual sunshine ended on a dark day at Raymond James Stadium.
The weather stunk, too.
Playing on a wet track after morning showers and a halftime storm burst, the Panthers failed in all three phases Sunday in a 16-10 loss to Tampa Bay.
Cam Newton threw a pair of second-half interceptions, the Panthers tied a dubious mark with a lifeless rushing game and the supposedly improved special teams had another major meltdown.
The result: Another Week 1 loss for the Panthers, who fell to 6-12 in opening games, including a 1-6 mark when starting the season against a divisional opponent. The Panthers, a popular pick to challenge for a playoff berth in Ron Rivera’s second season, haven’t won an opener since 2008.
The Buccaneers lost their final 10 games last season, including two to the Panthers by a combined score of 86-35. The Panthers gained a combined 818 yards against the Bucs in the two wins.
But on Sunday, against a defense that showed different fronts under first-year coach Greg Schiano, the Panthers tied a franchise low with 10 rushing yards on 13 attempts. Carolina also ran for 10 yards in a 24-6 loss to New Orleans on Oct. 15, 2000.
“They brought the intensity. We were kind of stagnant,” veteran wideout Steve Smith said. “The first quarter, it was like they were the rabbit and we were the tortoise. We didn’t do a very good job at all.”
The Panthers, who spent the week practicing in Bradenton, Fla, with the DNC in Charlotte, tried to establish the ground game early. But DeAngelo Williams’ first two carries netted minus-7 yards and he didn’t touch the ball the rest of the half.
With the Bucs scoring on their first three possessions to take a 13-0 lead, the Panthers scrapped the run and tried their luck through the air.
“We just kind of got behind, had to abandon the run,” Williams said. “After doing that, we had to pass to get back in the game.”
Here’s what anemic looks like: Receiver Kealoha Pilares was the Panthers’ leading rusher with 5 yards, gained on a pitch from Newton on a zone-read play. With Jonathan Stewart out with a sprained ankle, Williams tied a career low with minus-1 yards on six carries.
“There was nothing different defensively that they did,” Williams said. “But they did come out and play a great game.”
But Rivera said the Bucs showed different fronts than they had in the preseason under Schiano, the former Rutgers coach who replaced Raheem Morris.
“It’s one of those things where you prepare and prepare for the great unknown,” Rivera said. “And all of a sudden they show up and do some different things that you didn’t have a chance to prepare for.”
The Panthers managed minus-1 rushing yards in the first half, when they were outgained 171 to 109 in total yardage and had a 7-minute deficit in time of possession. The Bucs finished with a nearly 15-minute edge in time of possession.
Tampa Bay did not punt until the 11:35 mark of the third quarter.
After forcing that first punt, the Panthers started moving on their first possession of the third quarter. Newton was 4-for-4 on the drive, and his last three throws were all clutch.
Newton hit tight end Greg Olsen for 11 yards on third-and-5, found a crossing Smith for 32 yards, then hit a wide-open Brandon LaFell for a 22-yard touchdown pass on a play Newton sold with a play-action fake.
But Newton could not maintain the momentum.
He was intercepted on the Panthers’ next two series after throwing into coverage. The first interception came one play after Joe Adams gave the offense its best starting field position with a 21-yard punt return to the Bucs’ 41.
Newton was looking for LaFell, but cornerback Aqib Talib deflected the ball and safety Ronde Barber picked it. Newton was more upset with his second interception — a floater down the sideline to Smith that safety Ahmad Black tracked down.
Newton, the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2011, was 23-of-33 for 303 yards, with one interception and those two interceptions. The Panthers still have never won a game in which Newton has thrown an interception, falling to 0-10.
“Turnovers,” Newton said. “You can’t win a game with turnovers. … I’ve got to do a better job on my part of protecting the football.”
The Panthers have to do a better job of protecting their punter. Miscommunication on the protection allowed Talib to come off the left end untouched and block rookie Brad Nortman’s punt, setting up the last of Connor Barth’s three field goals.
“It’s not one person’s fault. It’s bad communication,” said Haruki Nakamura, who was on the side where the protection broke down. “They brought us in to sure up special teams, and up to that point we couldn’t have played any better on special teams. But when you have stuff like that happen, it’s really frustrating.”
With the Bucs leading 16-7, Newton drove the Panthers 86 yards inside the Tampa Bay 10 in the final three minutes. But Newton was stopped on a draw on third-and-goal, and Justin Medlock’s 21-yard field goal made it a 6-point game with 2:46 left.
The Panthers had a chance to get the ball back, forcing a third-and-2 on the Bucs’ ensuing drive. But Josh Freeman found Vincent Jackson for a 4-yard gain on a play-action pass and Tampa Bay ran out the clock.
“I don’t know what happened. I never expected to only rush for 10 yards,” center Ryan Kalil said. “Not quite the start of the season we wanted.”
