Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales acknowledged a questionable play call – a flea flicker – contributed to his team’s Saturday loss against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Panthers fell to the Buccaneers with a final score that left Canales reflecting on pivotal moments, particularly the unsuccessful trick play.

The flea flicker, designed to deceive the Buccaneers’ defense, ultimately backfired, hindering Carolina’s drive to score and potentially costing them a chance at victory. Canales addressed the call in a post-game interview, stating he recognized the play’s impact on the outcome.

While Canales didn't elaborate on the specific reasoning behind selecting the flea flicker, he conceded it was a misjudgment in the context of the game’s circumstances. The decision has drawn scrutiny from fans and analysts alike, who point to the Panthers’ need for consistent, reliable offensive execution in crucial situations.

The Panthers’ offense struggled throughout the game, and the failed flea flicker only compounded the issues. Canales’ post-game comments suggest a commitment to learning from the mistake and adjusting the team’s play-calling strategy moving forward. He emphasized the importance of evaluating all options and making informed decisions to maximize the team's chances of success in future games.