The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Carolina Panthers, 48-14. Tampa Bay eclipsed 500 net yards of offense for the third time this season – the most in the NFL. The three such games are tied for the second-most in a single season in NFL history (trailing only the 2020 Cowboys with four). Baker Mayfield completed 27 of 32 attempts for 359 yards and five touchdowns for a 153.0 quarterback rating. He concluded the ballgame with the same number of incompletions (five) as touchdown passes in a prolific outing. Bucky Irving eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing marker on the season and topped 100 yards rushing in the game with 77 yards receiving. Mike Evans led the Bucs with 97 receiving yards and two touchdowns, while receiver Jalen McMillan also tallied two touchdowns and 51 yards. Zyon McCollum led the team in tackles and the Bucs' defense sacked Bryce Young five times.
The Buccaneers capped off their opening six-play, 70-yard drive with a two-yard Mike Evans touchdown. Rookie Bucky Irving totaled 28 rushing yards on the scoring drive and Baker Mayfield hit Payne Durham down the middle of the field for a 31-yard gain, which set up the Bucs at the two-yard-line and they cashed in with seven. The Panthers responded with a six-play, 70-yard drive of their own that culminated in an Adam Thielen 17-yard touchdown.
Tampa Bay's second drive resulted in a Chase McLaughlin 27-yard field goal, providing a 10-7 advantage following a sack of Baker Mayfield on third down. McLaughlin hit a 37-yarder early in the second quarter after a third-down incompletion, making it 13-7. The Bucs then drove down the field with Irving as the catalyst. He picked up 34 yards on a run as Tristan Wirfs got to the second level as the lead blocker. Irving quickly worked upfield and then gained 42 yards off a quick pass from Mayfield. He quickly accelerated north and brought the Bucs to the one-yard line as Buck-Y chants rang out inside Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay cashed in as Evans utilized his signature move on a vintage back-shoulder touchdown catch off a fade.
With just under two minutes to play before the half, the Bucs extended their lead, 27-7 as Mayfield hit Jalen McMillan crossing over the back of the end zone on a 10-yard touchdown. McMillan's four straight games with a touchdown grab is tied for the fourth-longest streak by a rookie in NFL history. On that drive, Irving surpassed the 1,000-yard rushing marker with a six-yard rush, becoming the first Tampa Bay player to accomplish the feat since Doug Martin in 2015. The Bucs finished the first two frames with 337 total net yards, including 122 rushing and 20 first downs. With 5:48 on the clock in the third, Mayfield threw his fourth touchdown pass, this one to tight end Payne Durham. Durham was left wide open in the back corner of the end zone on a corner route to give Tampa Bay a 34-14 lead.
Late in the third frame, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka blocked the Panthers' punt, and it was recovered by J.J. Russell at the Carolina 23 and returned for a touchdown, giving the Bucs a 41-14 cushion. To begin the fourth quarter, Mayfield connected with McMillan on his fifth touchdown pass of the day and the rookie receiver hopped into the end zone to give Tampa Bay a dominant 48-14 lead.
To conclude the first quarter, Calijah Kancey looped inside and went unblocked through the A-gap for a 10-yard sack on Bryce Young, which forced a punt and quick three-and-out. Early in the third quarter, the Bucs registered sacks on back-to-back plays, which set up third-and-24 and an ensuing punt. The first knockdown went to Yaya Diaby, who was relentless in pursuit, and the next went to Anthony Nelson for a loss of four yards. Midway through the fourth quarter, both Chris Braswell (-10) and Logan Hall (-9) sacked Young on back-to-back plays, which forced a turnover on downs.
TOP PERFORMERS 🏈
Buccaneers:
- Passing: QB Baker Mayfield: 27/32 for 359 yards - 5 TDs
- Rushing: RB Bucky Irving: 20 rushes for 113 yards
- Receiving: WR Mike Evans: 8 receptions for 97 yards - 2 TDs
- Defense: LB J.J. Russell: 1 TD
Panthers
- Passing: QB Bryce Young: 15/28 for 204 yards - 2 TDs
- Rushing: Raheem Blackshear: 8 rushes for 20 yards
- Receiving: WR Adam Thielen: 5 receptions for 110 yards - 2 TDs
- Defense: LB Jacoby Windmon: 10 total tackles & 0.5 sack
