Coaches preach all the time that most NFL games come down to a handful of plays each week.

Sometimes the fate of the rest of your season also can come down to a specific moment in a game.

While it is way too early to say a single play against the Panthers has, or will, turn around the Bucs’ fortunes in 2016, a third-down, fourth-quarter stop by defensive tackle Akeem Spence was critical in Tampa Bay’s 17-14, win and was the difference in a 2-3 start versus a crushing 1-4 start.

After the failed third-down attempt, the Panthers were forced to punt the ball back to the Bucs and the offense moved down the field and kicker Roberto Aguayo’s field goal with no time left was the game winner, as the Panthers never touched the ball again that night.

The significance of the play isn’t lost on defensive coordinator Mike Smith.

“There were probably two or three critical plays in the ball game, there always is, of course the Brent Grimes interception is the one most people talk about, but the next most critical one was that third-down stop,” Smith said. “Akeem did a great job. We had  slant on and he was able to make first contact in the backfield and then the rest of the defense swarmed to the ball. But he was the first to make the hit.”

When asked about it in open locker room on Thursday, Spence smiled when telling Pewter Report how it happened.

“That play we were basically in our over front, and then tight end motioned so I was the three-technique on that play, so then moved from the three to the nose,” Spence said. “Derek Anderson gave out the snap count call. He called out, ‘Express! Express!’ I had heard it earlier in the game which  knew meant they were going quick. So I took that key and pretty much ran with it. I was either going to make the play or be offsides. But I was able to beat Trae Turner to the inside and make the play for a loss.”
Someone else who appreciated the play was Bucs All-Pro Gerald McCoy, who said part of that play was made even before the game started on that Monday night.

“It was just a great play, a heads up play,” McCoy said. “He got a key indicator of what was going to happen, trusted his eyes and trusted his keys from studying the game film and knowing the little small things from the NFL. Spence was like the ironman of the game. He played hard, most of the snaps, never complained.

“Whether he had a good play, bad play or stalemate. Spence just went out there and did what he was supposed to do. And when we needed him to make a play, he made a play. It was a huge play and helped us get a win.”

McCoy said a younger player probably doesn’t make that play.

“That is a play that comes with experience. I don’t know if he would have made that as a rookie.”

Smith not only appreciates that play by Spence, but his overall effort on and off the field this season.

“He is getting a lot more snaps,” Smith said. “He has done a good job preparing and waiting for his opportunity and is making the most of it up to this point. He is having to play not only in our base package, but also our sub package as well. But because of our (injury) situation we have had to ask him to expand his role and he has accepted it and done a very nice job.”