Panthers lose to Buccaneers on controversial play (Video)

Christian McCaffrey had the ball in his hands with the game on the line. Ultimately, it came down to inches, and fans are screaming on both sides.

The Carolina Panthers are 0-2. But should they be?

With a 4th and 1 from the Tampa Bay 2-yard line, Carolina ran a sweep to the left with Christian McCaffrey carrying. However, McCaffrey was strung wide by cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III and forced out of bounds, ruled inches shy of the game-extending first down.

When the play was reviewed, Carolina fans inside and out of the stadium were screaming to look at McCaffrey, who extended the ball before his feet went out of bounds. However, McCaffrey’s body and the ball was already out, making the extension null and void.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans will tell you their 20-14 win is unassailable. The Bucs came into Bank of America Stadium for Thursday Night Football and led most of the way, but the Panthers had their final shot. They lost, and now find themselves at the bottom of the NFC South as the first 0-2 team in the league.

The biggest concern might be quarterback Cam Newton, who missed open receivers throughout the evening. Newton finished 25-of-51 for 333 yards with a lost fumble.

Meanwhile, Tampa Bay moves to 1-1 and continues to showcase a revamped defense under new coordinator Todd Bowles. The Buccaneers need Jameis Winston to continue avoiding turnovers as he did in Thursday’s win, giving this newfound defensive unit a chance to succeed. The formula was shown against their divisional rivals.