Tampa’s reliance on a historically tough schedule as an excuse for its rough year keeps getting weaker and weaker.
The previously 3-8 Panthers rolled into Tampa and rolled over the Bucs, 38-19. Along the way, Cam Newton set the single-season quarterback touchdown rushing record with 11th, 12th, and 13th of the year.
He broke the mark previously held by, of all people, Steve Grogan.
Newton also completed 12 of 21 passes for 204 yards and a touchdown.
The loss technically puts the Bucs in the basement of the NFC South, dropping them to 4-8. The bigger question is whether coach Raheem Morris will be back in 2012.