After 15-yard XP penalty, Panthers also could have tried onside kick from the 50

The Carolina Panthers missed strategic opportunities during their game against the San Francisco 49ers that could have influenced field positioning and possession. After a penalty on a point-after attempt, the Panthers could have kept their point and started the next drive at the San Francisco 25-yard line. Additionally, they had the option to attempt an onside kick from the 50-yard line, a move permissible this year for trailing teams at any point in the game. An unsuccessful onside kick would likely have placed the 49ers between their own 35 and 40-yard lines, minimizing the risk of a short field. The Panthers instead opted for a two-point conversion, which failed, overlooking the tactical potential of the penalty-enhanced kickoff. This situation highlights broader questions about the rules governing onside kicks, particularly why such attempts are restricted to teams that are trailing.