Week 14 Player Spotlight

“I miss 2015”

Twisting the cap off, Tom’s brother sat down next to him.

“Yeah that SB was something else”

Tom dodged a harmless smack in response to his tongue in cheek retort.

“Well it was still better than whatever this season has been”

His brother wasn’t wrong. The Panthers were in contention for a number one draft pick. While nothing was expected this season, it was always nice going into a season with some hope. That had been completely snuffed out, and at 1-11 the season had been over for a long while. 

“But today is the day even the score”

Tom chuckled. Ever since the two of them had stumbled across the Call It app a couple months back, they had decided to make a game of the season. Instead of watching the abysmal record of their team, they had a 250 dollar bet on who would finish the season in Call It with a better record. Although Call It didn’t explicitly have a head to head record tracker, he and his brother had been tracking who won each weekly contest. Tom was up 5-4. It was like fantasy football, but more in the moment and so, in Tom’s opinion, more exciting. 

“May the best man win”

And just like that, the kickoff ensued and the game began. 

*Panthers/Punt/50*

*Go big or go home*

Several plays later, Tom was up 176-128.

“Jeeze Tom”

His brother was not thrilled, a loss today would put him 2 games back with only 3 weeks to go. By Tom’s estimation, this game was critical for both of them. The next several drives saw the point difference close quickly. 

189-155

145-167

234-247

It was a battle for the season, and the tension was palpable. As the game continued, the Panthers continued to play in unsurprising fashion, but neither brother could care less. With just under 4 minutes remaining in the game, the Panthers took over, down by a mile. The brother’s scores near dead even. Tom knew the Panthers would have to go for it, he also knew the Panthers were…the 2023 Panthers.

*Panthers/Turnover on Downs/50*

It was a massive risk, but he had to put the nail in the coffin right then and there. The Panthers quickly drove the field but, as predicted, stalled in Saint’s territory. 

Incomplete pass, 3rd and 2

Sacked, 4th and 13

Incomplete.

Tom stood up sharply, glanced down at his phone. Refreshing constantly. 1625 points! Just as he saw that his brother let out a holler.

“I’ve won I’ve won!”

Tom frowned, looked at the standings again, his brother sat at 6076.

“All in on turnover on downs baby!”

Tom cursed under his breath, in all the tension he had neglected to use one of his peeks to see what his brother was up to, and it cost him a relaxing end to the season.

“Well done bro, just remember, we still have 3 games left”.

Yes, the Panther’s season may have ended early, but for Tom and his brother, the playoffs had truly begun.