When Panthers quarterback Derek Anderson beat the Bucs in both of his spot starts for Cam Newton in 2014, Carolina's backup didn't have a turnover in 143 total snaps.
On Monday night, three of Anderson's 53 plays ended in turnovers.
"Obviously the interception at the end on the one-yard line is the difference maker. If we punched it in, they’ve got to score a touchdown on the last drive or kick a field goal or we go to overtime," Anderson said. "Unfortunately we had bad plays at the wrong time. I think that’s what it came down to."
The biggest gut punch came as the Panthers were poised to take the lead midway through the fourth quarter. On first-and-goal from the Bucs' 1-yard line, Anderson lofted a pass to tight end Greg Olsen in the right corner of the end zone. It was a combination that had already worked nine times for 181 yards. Before it turned into 10 for 182, cornerback Brent Grimes made a backbreaking, leaping interception.
"I think I had him. I just obviously have to throw it a little higher," Anderson said. "I had a good play, I think, but unfortunately if I could have a backup, I would obviously throw it away."
Added coach Ron Rivera:
"It was a good play call. The guy just made a tremendous play. He hinged on underneath the throw. If that ball is maybe a little bit higher or if he mistimed that jump, it’s a touchdown."
But it wasn't. Anderson's other two turnovers — an interception on a tipped ball and a fumble on a scramble, didn't turn into points for the Bucs, but ended Panthers' drives near midfield.
"The one to (Kelvin Benjamin) was just unfortunate. It was tipped up in the air and the guy happened to be there," Anderson said. "I’m not really sure what happened on the fumble. I knew I was really close to a first down, so I tried to dive and the next thing I know, I didn’t have it."
Despite running just three plays in the first quarter, the Panthers finished the game with 414 total yards, 99 more than the Bucs. But that's why turnovers are the most important stat in football.
"The thing we didn’t do is we didn’t protect the football. We turned it over twice on the offensive side in the first half and didn’t give ourselves the chance to score. That’s the thing we can’t do," Rivera said. "We have to be able to protect the football and give ourselves the opportunity to score."
1st and goal on the 1! It was a horrible play call. You give the ball to Payne let him go for a 3rd TD. If he gets it you have not only the lead, but a young player full of confidence going forward and a city and team behind him.