Panthers fail to cash in on rare free-kick rule vs. Bucs

A rarely-seen rule made an appearance during the NFL's London matchup Sunday between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers.

The Panthers caught a punt after calling for a fair catch with one second remaining in the first half and elected to try a free-kick field goal for their final play.

The little-known rule allows a team to call for a fair catch on a punt and then line up to attempt a field goal on the next play without the defense being able to rush the kicker. If the ball goes through the uprights, it's three points, just like a regular field goal.

Panthers kicker Joey Slye ultimately missed the 60-yard attempt, but it was a bizarre end to the opening half in London nonetheless.