The Tampa Bay Buccaneers once again suffer a bad loss, this time to rookie quarterback Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers. Newton proved to be too much for the Bucs defense, scoring four total touchdowns, including a 91-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Brandon LaFell. The Bucs defense has been gutted by opposing offense the past few weeks, this time giving up 433 total yards to the Panthers.
It wasn't all on the Bucs defense however, as the Bucs turned the ball over four times, with three fumbles. The Bucs struggled to run the football as well, with no running back picking up more than 24 yards on the day. Running back LeGarrette Blount fumbled the ball early and was seemingly benched for much of the game. He ended the day with just two carries for 11 yards. Quarterback Josh Freeman threw for 274 yards with a touchdown and a pick.
One has to wonder, if it wasn't Christmas Eve, would Bucs head coach Raheem Morris would make it to the plane to fly back to Tampa Bay.
We'll have plenty more on this game throughout the day in this StoryStream. For more new and notes, head over to the NFL hub at SB Nation. Also check out Bucs Nation for more on the Buccaneers and Cat Scratch Reader for more on the Carolina Panthers.