It was a quiet start in Tampa Bay, with both defenses forcing three and outs to open the game.
The Carolina Panthers would strike first with 1:34 left in the first quarter on a one-yard touchdown run by running back Jonathan Stewart. It didn't come easy as the drive spanned 82 yards on 17 plays.
As for the Buccaneers, quarterback Jameis Winston wasted no time spreading the ball around, connecting with seven different receivers in the first half. Unfortunately, the Bucs were burned by a few penalties that stalled their offensive efforts.
On what seemed like a promising drive in the second quarter, Winston fumbled the ball at the Carolina 33-yard line. The Panthers failed to capitalize though, running into penalty trouble of their own. The Bucs defense stepped up as well, with the linebacker corps making themselves known to the Carolina offense throughout the first half. Kwon Alexander and Lavonte David combined for seven tackles in two quarters of play.
A quick three-and-out would force Tampa Bay to punt from their own eight-yard line, giving Carolina the ball at midfield. The defense would keep Carolina out of the end zone, but kicker Graham Gano would connect on a 28-yard field goal to put the Panthers up 10-0 at the end of the half.
Carolina will get the ball to start the second half.
