Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales. Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

NFL media members point out 'awful' calls that hurt Panthers in loss to Buccaneers

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Renzo Pocholo Salao | Last updated Jan 3, 2026 11:43 PM ET

The NFL world felt like the Carolina Panthers were on the wrong end of several calls in their Week 18 clash against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Panthers entered Saturday’s game with a chance to clinch the NFC South and a playoff berth if they scored a road win at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

The referees did not make it easy for the Panthers, with some polarizing calls (or non-calls) going in favor of the home team.

The third quarter was when a lot of the alleged chicanery took place. Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble and Buccaneers linebacker SirVocea Dennis got into a scuffle midway through the period. Dennis ended up taking off Tremble’s helmet, but did not draw any flags.

Bucs rip the helmet right off of a Panthers player with no flag… pic.twitter.com/Jx4UUtiO0n
— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) January 3, 2026

Later on in the quarter, Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan got called for a questionable offensive pass interference penalty that wiped away what would have been about a 30-yard gain.

How was this an OPI on Tetairoa McMillan??

The Panthers are getting SCREWED by the refs…pic.twitter.com/trmDTDsaIy
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 3, 2026

During Tampa Bay’s next possession, Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton tripped over his own legs but was saved by a head-scratching defensive pass interference flag.

Otton trips over himself and the Panthers get flagged for pass interference pic.twitter.com/PkNJv7I9yj
— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) January 3, 2026

Media members alike were vocal on X about the Panthers getting screwed by multiple calls.

Panthers fans will be upset about the officials and they will have every right to be furious.
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) January 3, 2026

Carolina is getting Jobbed right now by the officials! No way around it. They’re getting crushed with awful calls.
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) January 3, 2026

Considering the Panthers lost 16-14, any one of those calls could have swung the final result with a playoff spot on the line.

The Panthers now need the Atlanta Falcons to beat the New Orleans Saints in their matchup on Sunday if they want to win the division via a three-way tiebreaker with the Buccaneers.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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