Sports | Bucs
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Panthers lose more than just the game
Associated Press
Published December 12, 2005
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - With a chance to take firm control of the NFC South and improve their position in the conference standings, the Panthers took a big step back Sunday.
"We definitely lost the wiggle room," safety Mike Minter said.
What the Panthers lost was sole possession of first place in the South - the Bucs hold the tiebreaker with a better division record - and an opportunity to move into second place in the conference behind Seattle.
"We had an opportunity to get a little cushion, but we found a way to make it hard," Minter said.
Jake Delhomme's passing was spotty, and coach John Fox's determination to establish the run frustrated the crowd, which booed loudly after yet another three-down series of go-nowhere runs with DeShaun Foster. He was held to 46 yards rushing in his first start of the season.
Fans started leaving with 5:39 left knowing the division lead had slipped away thanks to the Bucs. "They came in and beat us, plain and simple," Delhomme said.
[Last modified December 12, 2005, 01:11:08]
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