If there’s one thing fans criticize more than anything else, it’s play calling.

The Bucs escaped Carolina with a 17-14 victory – avoiding fan outrage that would’ve gone beyond the kicking woes – but that doesn’t mean Tampa Bay escaped the doubts from many Monday (Tuesday) morning quarterbacks.

After a highly-questioned draw-play call on third-and-9, which set up a 46-yard field goal that Roberto Aguayo would miss, the Bucs got the ball back following an impressive three-and-out stand by the defense. Pinned at its own 14-yard line with 1:49 remaining and the score tied at 14, the offense ran twice for a combined three yards to set up third-and-7.

Had the Bucs not converted on an 11-yard pass to Mike Evans on the ensuing down, the decision to play it conservative would have created an uproar of second guessing in Tampa Bay. But head coach Dirk Koetter explained on Tuesday that the Bucs needed to be careful until they at least moved the chains once on the drive.

Bucs RB Jacquizz Rodgers – Photo by: Getty Images

“The first thing we needed to do was make a first down. We needed to make one first down to ensure that it wasn’t going to be three-and-out and only use up however much time we’ve been using up – that wouldn’t have been good,” Koetter said. “So, we needed to make that first first-down.”

In other words, if Tampa Bay threw incompletions on first- and second-down it would’ve created a third-and-10 situation with the Panthers stocked with all three timeouts and approximately 1:40 left on the clock. Throw one more incompletion on third down – which is now a predictable call – and Carolina could’ve foreseeably taken over inside the 50-yard line with 1:30 and three timeouts.

Once Tampa Bay forced Carolina to use a timeout things felt safer, and once the Bucs converted third down, the Panthers were forced to guard the big passing play. From there, Koetter said, the Bucs’ options opened up.

“That first [third-down conversion], out of thirteen personnel, was obviously the biggest because it got us that first first-down and then we were able to get going into our two-minute offense,” Koetter said. “Now, after we got going into our two-minute offense, they started playing more two-deep coverage and that’s when we ran it a couple times. We ran the draw, got a nice little gain on that (seven yards). Once we got across the 50 and there was time, then it became pretty clear that we were going to have a chance at a last-second field goal. Now, you’re just trying to get it to where it’s the last play of the game and we win, so you don’t leave time on the clock.”

It all worked to perfection, Koetter gets praised and everyone – coaches, players and fans alike – are relieved and optimistic heading into the bye week. But one incompletion on third down, or one more missed kick from 38 yards out, and it’s a completely different narrative over the next two weeks.