Whether you believe the Tampa Bay Buccaneers belong on the naughty or nice list in 2017, they didn’t get their Christmas wish this year as they fell to the Panthers in Carolina in Christmas Eve by a score of 22-19.

The hosting Panther won the toss (the Bucs called head, by the way) and opted to defer to the second half. That meant quarterback Jameis Winston and the Buccaneers offense would get the first chance to set their tone in the ball game. Running back Peyton Barber got the start on Sunday and got the first two touches of the game. Following those was a 17-yard pass to wide receiver Mike Evans. That got things going, but unfortunately things came to a halt rather quickly. On the next set of down, Winston was hit from behind and the ball came loose. Carolina ended up with it.

Panthers quarterback Cam Newton and the Carolina offense got an easy start to their day beginning their first drive from the Bucs’ 33-yard line. The short drive included some designed runs by Newton as well as a few short passes to wide receiver Devin Funchess, but the drive ultimately was kept out of the end zone and the Panthers were forced to settle for just three points.

The Buccaneers second drive of the game had much better flow than the one they had to start the contest. Barber, who was the starting running back on the drive yet again, busted open for a big 34-yard gain down the sideline which brought the Bucs in Carolina territory for the first time. After that the Bucs had a few more yards via short passes and short runs, but their shot to the end zone was nullified thanks to an Evans offensive pass interference call. The Bucs had to settle for a field goal and tied it up at 3-3.

After those scoring drive there were some inconsistencies on both sides. The Buccaneers defense kept up with their stout effort by forcing a three-and-out on the Panthers next possession. However, when the Buccaneers took over possession for themselves, Winston fumbled the ball off a botched snap between he and his center Joe Hawley turning it over prematurely yet again.

Following the Bucs second turn over of the game, the Panthers offense went down the field 71 yards in 10 plays to get themselves into field goal range yet again to re-take the lead, then 6-3.

After spending quite a bit of time on the sideline thanks to a long Panthers offensive possession, the Bucs offense didn’t have their groove anymore and went negative two yards in three plays before punting the ball back to Carolina. Thankfully, as they had been on almost every occasion to that point, the Bucs defense held firm yet again and forced a punt on the Panthers offense themselves.

Following the dueling punts by both Carolina and Tampa Bay, Winston and the offense got back to business with a 6-play, 61-yard drive that included a 70-yard pass to rookie wide receiver Chris Godwin, who was making his second start of the season, this time for the injured DeSean Jackson. That drive ended in three points to yet again tie the game, this time at 6-6.

However, the small tied victory wasn’t celebrated for long as Damiere Byrd, kick returner for the Carolina Panthers, took the ensuing kickoff all the way back for a touchdown for the game’s first 6-point play of the game. The point after attempt was blocked, though, so the Panthers lead was just 12-6.

Down six, the Buccaneers offense went to work with a good amount of time left in the half, which they controlled very nicely. On a 9-play, 72-yard drive Winston hit his receiver Evans first for a big 16-yard gain, then his wide receiver Adam Humphries deep down the field on a 50-50 ball that was surely the best catch of Humphries’ season to get the Bucs back within striking distance. They settled for a field goal and took the game to half at a score of 12-9.

The Panthers came out guns blazing after the half and started moving the ball very well against the Bucs defense, already up 12-9. However, just as the drive was getting into Buccaneers territory, a punch on a catch by Bucs safety Chris Conte knock a pass from Newton loose, one that linebacker Kwon Alexander intercepted and return to midfield. In response after the turnover, Winston completed a long pass Evans down the sideline to get his team into the red zone, then completed an 18-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Bobo Wilson in the end zone to give the Bucs their first lead of the game at 16-12.

The Panthers responded nicely with a long 12-play, 68-yard drive that chewed up a lot of yards on the ground via running backs Jonathan Stewart and Christian McCaffrey as well as the feet of Newton. The Bucs almost had the Panthers off the field, but on a fake punt pass, Carolina drew pass interference and the drive continued. That allowed for Newton to break off for a 17-yard run on the next series, which got the Panthers in field goal range to bring the score to 16-15, the Bucs still the slimmest of advantages.

With the pressure mounting form a good Carolina offense, Winston and the Bucs knew they had to keep up if they wanted to maintain the lead. As a response, Winston led a 10-play, 67-yard drive Which included to huge catches from wide receiver Freddie Martino and another big catch from running back Charles Sims to get the team another three points. The score was then 19-15.

The Panthers took over down four with a steady offensive performance behind them in the game. They were able to move the ball well for a good amount of the drive, but nine plays and 38 yards wasn’t enough to get them into field goal range and they were forced to punt the ball back to the Buccaneers – and punted it to the Bucs 7-yard line.

The Bucs started a drive that had the chance to put the game firmly in their hand. After a play that nearly ended in a safety with their backs against their own end zone, Winston hit Evans deep down the middle of the field for a 30-yard gain. Following that play, Evans drew two consecutive defensive pass interference calls on Panthers cornerback James Bradberry which got them right on the edge of field goal range. Bucs kicker Patrick Murray, who had been called upon many times to that point, attempted a 51-yard field goal to give the Bucs a 7-point lead, but his kick missed and the score remained 19-15.

Starting the drive on a short field after the missed field goal, Newton got straight to work by hitting wide receiver Brenton Bersin for a 23-yard gain on the first play. Right after that, Newton went back to the air, this time to wide receiver Kaelin Clay for an 11-yard gain to get his team well into field goal range and knocking on the doors of the end zone and the lead. After a few plays that got them right on the edge of the edge zone, the panthers were faced with a 4th-and-3. However, a jump by Baker before the snap gave them an easier down and a first down to follow.

After that, Newton did what Newton does – he scored.

With just 35 seconds left after that and the score in their favor 22-19, that’s all the Panthers had to do to get out with the victory.

Another hard-fought game all for naught as the Bucs dropped their fifth game in a row to a total record of 4-11.