Rhule made it clear that all players, not just the quarterbacks, have been told not to reach the ball across the goal line unless it’s fourth down, and Bridgewater said it was a lesson learned.

“It’s always disappointing when you get down there and have points, and you do something like that to prevent your team from scoring,” Bridgewater said. “It’s a situation where, I guarantee if I ever have to run a quarterback sneak again, for the rest of my career, I’ll make sure I never reach the ball over the top unless it’s fourth down.”

Things were already bad, as the Panthers had lost seven of their previous eight. But having Bridgewater’s failed attempt to dive over the pile at the goal line go so tragically wrong was the kind of play that carries more emotional weight than statistical.

Undrafted rookie