The Buccaneers defeated the Panthers 26-23 in Week 13. With less than a minute in regulation, Bryce Young connected with Adam Thielen on a 25-yard touchdown and the Bucs traveled 36 yards in 30 seconds. Chase McLaughlin drilled a 51-yard field goal as time expired to send the game into overtime at Bank of America Stadium. The Bucs won the toss and made their way into field goal range following an incompletion to Otton on third down, but McLaughlin's 55-yard attempt was wide left. The Panthers took over at the 45 and Anthony Nelson tackled Chuba Hubbard and forced a fumble. Yaya Diaby recovered the football at the 29-yard line. The Bucs moved 59 yards in five plays and McLaughlin hit a 30-yard field goal to cement the win for Tampa Bay.
Baker Mayfield completed 21 of 33 attempts for 235 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. He briefly exited the game with an injury in the third quarter and came back in after one play in the blue medical tent. Mike Evans concluded the game with 118 receiving yards on eight receptions and a touchdown.
On the Buccaneers' second possession, Mike Evans capped off a 12-play, 63-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown. The future Hall of Famer made an acrobatic one-handed grab off a fade in the back corner of the end zone to give the Bucs' a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter. Evans became the catalyst in the first half, picking up 18 yards on a corner route and 27 yards down the seam verses off-coverage. Late in the second quarter, Chase McLaughlin drilled a 27-yard field goal to tie the game at 10. With five seconds to spare before the intermission, Eddy Piñeiro made a 27-yard field goal, giving the Panthers a three-point advantage.
The Bucs found the end zone again in the fourth quarter as Bucky Irving crossed the goal line on a six-yard touchdown rush to give Tampa Bay a 17-16 lead. Irving hit a new career-high with 152 rushing yards on the day, spearheading the ground attack in Charlotte. On the game-winning drive, Rachaad White hit top-gear on a 38-yard run to put the Bucs in positive field position for the kick.
TOP PERFORMERS 🏈
Buccaneers:
- Passing: QB Baker Mayfield: 21/33 - 235 yards for 1 TD & 2 INTs
- Rushing: RB Bucky Irving: 25 att for 152 yards - 1 TD
- Receiving: WR Mike Evans: 118 yards on 8 catches - 1 TD
- Defense: OLB Anthony Nelson: 6 total tackles & 1 FF
Panthers:
- Passing: QB Bryce Young: 26/46 for 298 yards - 1 TD
- Rushing: RB Chubba Hubbard: 12 att for 43 yards
- Receiving: WR Adam Thielen: 99 yards on 8 catches - 1 TD
- Defense: LB Josey Jewell: 10 total tackles, 1 sack
