The Carolina Panthers tried to dial up a flea flicker in a key moment in their Week 18 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It backfired immensely.
The play in question came on a first-and-10 from Tampa Bay’s 20-yard line. Panthers quarterback Bryce Young handed the ball to running back Rico Dowdle, who appeared poised to carry it up the middle of the Buccaneers’ defense.
Instead, Dowdle turned back toward Young and tried to lateral him the ball. However, he slipped on the slick turf at Raymond James Stadium while making the pitch. As a result, the ball bounced in front of Young, and the third-year quarterback wasn’t able to corral it before 35-year-old linebacker Lavonte David pounced on it.
Below is a full look at the play:
Carolina’s call was curious, as the Panthers had effectively moved the ball before dialing up the trick play. They had traversed 45 yards over five plays to put themselves in scoring range in a game they were trailing 16-7 with just over 11 minutes left in regulation.
Also strange was that no receiver appeared to be running a deep route on the play. Flea flickers are traditionally used to take a down-the-field shot against an unsuspecting defense, yet the deepest downfield route on the play appeared to be a 5-yard curl by Tetairoa McMillan.
Panthers coach Dave Canales will surely be asked about the play after the game. Whether it was an ill-timed gaffe or a miscommunication, it did significant damage to Carolina’s chances of winning the NFC South on Saturday.