The Buccaneers met the Carolina Panthers for the second time this season looking to spoil a seven-game winning streak while building on a three-game stretch of their own. Here is how it all went down on Twitter. All week long, each team had a close eye on a number of injuries. An hour and a half before kickoff, the announcement of inactive players rolled in. ESPN and NFL's Adam Schefter provide the info.
Panthers DeAngelo Williams and Cardinals Andre Ellington both INACTIVE today. Adrian Peterson is ACTIVE and will play despite groin injury. — NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) December 1, 2013
Despite being listed as questionable with groin injury, Bucs CB Darrelle Revis will play today vs. Carolina. Good matchup vs. Steve Smith. — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 1, 2013
After forcing a three-and-out on the first Panthers' possession, the Buccaneers put together their first drive. Mike Glennon hit on all four of his passes for 46 yards, giving the Bucs an early lead. Buccaneers.com senior writer and editor, Scott Smith shares a stat:
The Bucs had to settle for a FG, but it was still a nice opening drive, and there's this: The Bucs have scored 1st in all 3 of their wins. — Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) December 1, 2013
Carolina would answer back on the next series however. QB Cam Newton broke free for a big game, setting up the Panthers' first points of the game. Pewter Report calls the highlights:
Cam Newton busts out a 57-yard run up the middle and then down the sidelines deep into Tampa Bay territory. — Pewter Report (@PewterReport) December 1, 2013
Touchdown Carolina. Brandon LaFell is wide open in the end zone for a 16-yard touchdown. Panthers up 7-3 in the first. — Pewter Report (@PewterReport) December 1, 2013
The Panthers would hold the Bucs to a three-and-out and once again get the ball. On third-and-10 after two incompletions, Newton would again drop back for the pass. 98.7 The Fan celebrates with the Bucs:
Keith Tandy picks off a pass that deflected off Brandon LaFell's hands, #Bucs take over on Carolina's 32-yd line. http://t.co/f9fsrjNUlW — 98.7 The Fan (@987TheFan) December 1, 2013
The turnover would result in three more points for the Buccaneers.
Lindell 53-yd FG is good!! It went off the upright and through! #Bucs now tail #Panthers 7-6 with 2:14 left in 1st qtr — WDAE 620 AM/95.3 FM (@620wdae) December 1, 2013
At the end of the first, the Panthers led 7-6 as BucsNation shared a strong stat for the Buccaneer defense.
Excluding that Newton scramble, Bucs have allowed just three yards on five carries for the Panthers. — Sander Philipse (@Bucs_Nation) December 1, 2013
To begin the second quarter, the Buccaneers would continue their drive. On first-and-10 from their own 36-yard line, Mike Glennon took aim deep downfield to his favorite target, Vincent Jackson. Jenna Laine relays the play.
Go-route for V-Jax....60-yard completion falls just short of the goal-line. #TBvsCAR — JennaLaineBucs (@JennaLaineBucs) December 1, 2013
Now on the four-yard line, the Panthers would keep the Bucs out of the end zone on two straight tries. On third down, Glennon scrambled left, cocked his arm back and lost the football. Tom Krasniqi makes the call:
Glennon fumbles on 3rd down. #Panthers recover at their own 18. Just lost the handle. Huge play — Tom Krasniqi (@TKras) December 1, 2013
Off the turnover, Carolina would being its drive. Here is how the offense worked its way down the field from multiple sources.
Newton on slant to Smith for a 16 yard gain. Newton then to LaFell for 12 yards. #Panthers going no-huddle — WDAE 620 AM/95.3 FM (@620wdae) December 1, 2013
The Bucs' pass rush is getting close to Newton on almost every pass play but so far hasn't been able to get him on the ground. — Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) December 1, 2013
First down to TE Greg Olsen at the Tampa Bay 9. — Pewter Report (@PewterReport) December 1, 2013
The Bucs would stall the drive at the five-yard line after 14 plays and 76 yards, giving the Panthers just three more.
Huge stop by Bucs D, 10-6 Panthers. — Kevin ODonnell Fox13 (@ODonnellFox13) December 1, 2013
Tampa Bay couldn't get moving again, giving Carolina the ball back with 4:10 left in the half. The Panthers worked their way to the three-yard line, and like the last drive, the Bucs stopped them on three straight downs, setting up fourth-and-one. Carolina would go for it, and it would play out like this:
#Panthers call timeout with 30 seconds left before the half. 4th & goal from #Bucs 1. — WDAE 620 AM/95.3 FM (@620wdae) December 1, 2013
Wow. It's ruled a touchdown, but Newton fumbled as he crossed the goal line. Goldson recovered the ball, but it's ruled a TD initially. — Greg Auman (@gregauman) December 1, 2013
Ruled a TD in Carolina… ball clearly broke the plane. — Mike Pereira (@MikePereira) December 1, 2013
At halftime, Carolina held the lead 17-6 as @TBBuccaneers, official Twitter of the Bucs, provided the Buccaneers' key players so far.
HALFTIME: CAR 17, TB 6 QB M. Glennon 8/11, 124yds RB B. Rainey 9car, 17yds WR T. Underwood 3 rec, 51 pic.twitter.com/OHJzzyv5FN — Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@TBBuccaneers) December 1, 2013
The Bucs would start the half with the ball and get things moving with three Bobby Rainey runs for 26 yards. On the next play, Mike Glennon would escape pressure and heave a pass deep downfield. The ball would be intercepted, but see some controversy as noted by Buccaneers writers and FOX Sports analyst and former VP of Officiating, Mike Pereira.
Glennon heaves it deep into triple coverage and is intercepted. Flag thrown, then picked up ... Carolina starts at its 22 ... — Greg Auman (@gregauman) December 1, 2013
Disagree in CAR. To me, that ball is catchable - he was fighting to get back & was 3 yards away. Without interference, he easily gets there. — Mike Pereira (@MikePereira) December 1, 2013
Carolina would take over at the 22-yard line and put together another quick drive, highlighted by a 12-yard reception by RB Mike Tolbert and 36-yard grab and run by TE Greg Olsen. On the next play, the Panthers would get their third TD of the game. The Fan calls it again:
Ted Ginn puts a double move on Darrelle Revis & Cam Newton finds him for a 36-yd TD, 24-6 #Bucs trail the #Panthers. http://t.co/f9fsrjNUlW — 98.7 The Fan (@987TheFan) December 1, 2013
With 10:50 left in the third, the Bucs would drive again, this time with nine plays taking them from their own 20-yard line down to the Carolina 30. Bobby Rainey added to his second half stats.
Bucs' Bobby Rainey running well in second half -- 43 yards on seven carries in last seven minutes ... — Greg Auman (@gregauman) December 1, 2013
However, the drive would end with a missed field goal and keep the Panthers on top 24-6.
Lindell 48-yard FG is no good. Wide left. #Panthers still lead #Bucs 24-6 — WDAE 620 AM/95.3 FM (@620wdae) December 1, 2013
CB Darrelle Revis nearly got the ball back on the next play, beautifully cutting off a pass with a clear path to the end zone, but the ball would fall to the turf. Scott Smith comments on what transpired after the whistle.
Buc trainers looking at Darrelle Revis after he remains on the turf after nearly making an interception in front of Steve Smith. — Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) December 1, 2013
Carolina would again make short work of moving down the field, now without having to contend with Darrelle Revis. But, on first-and-10 from the 23-yard line, the Buccaneers would strike again with a second interception.
The great Lavonte David is now the 1st player in franchise history with at least 5 sacks & at least 3 interceptions in the same season. — Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) December 1, 2013
Lavonte David continues to make a case for the Pro Bowl. — Pat Yasinskas (@PatYazESPN) December 1, 2013
Tampa Bay couldn't add more points off the turnover and would again punt away, making way for another Carolina drive, this time for 12 plays. Again, the Bucs would hold strong inside the 10-yard line, allowing a field goal, but the drive would also eat 8:45 minutes of clock.
4TH QTR: CAR 27, TB 6 K G. Gano's 22yd FG extends the CAR lead to 27-6. DRIVE: 13 plays, 66 yards, 8:45. — Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@TBBuccaneers) December 1, 2013
The Buccaneers would punt, but the defense would get the ball back quickly.
Bucs will get the ball with 4:41 remaining, probably around their 20-yard line. Need to get three scores with no timeouts. — Sander Philipse (@Bucs_Nation) December 1, 2013
With 2:46 left, the offense would face fourth down and fail to convert. With no timeouts left, the game would end, 27-6.
Cam Newton's big day (263 Pass yds, 2 TD, 68 Rush yds, TD) leads Panthers to 8th straight win, longest streak in franchise history. — SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 1, 2013
