The Tampa Bay Buccaneers traveled to Charlotte to take on divisional for the Panthers. Boasting a 6-3 record but coming off of a loss to the Saints, the Buccaneers rebounded nicely.
Quarter One
Teddy Bridgewater and the Panthers start with the ball, but their drive is short lived with a three and out (Antonio Brown is receiving punts!).
On the second play of the game, Ronald Jones fumbles the football on a short completion. The Panthers recover in their own territory.
Carolina faces a fourth and three and converts it with a pass to Robby Anderson. A few plays later, the Panthers punch it in for six, making the score 7-0 after the turnover.
The Buccaneers drive down the field with ease on the next series, capping it off with a five yard touchdown pass to Cameron Brate. Tampa Bay evens the score 7-7 with 3:37 left in the quarter.
Todd Bowles still hasn’t figured out this defense. On the next series, Bridgewater marchers down the field for a touchdown, and has yet to throw an incomplete pass.
Score 14-7 Panthers
Quarter Two
After another long drive, Tom Brady and Mike Evans can’t connect in the end zone, forcing a Ryan Succop field goal. Tampa Bay narrows the score to 14-10.
After a roughing the passer call on Kevin Minter, the Panthers nail a 46 yard field goal with 4:01 remaining in the quarter. The four minute offense for the Buccaneers have a chance to even it at half.
After a few strikes to Antonio Brown and Rob Gronkowski, Brady finishes off the drive with a pass to Mike Evans (incredible footwork!). The Buccaneers complete the first half of a two for one with less than a minute remaining.
After a deep shot by Bridgewater, the original play was called a catch, which ends up getting overturned. Tampa Bay is tied 17-17 going into the half…
Score: 17-17 Tie
Quarter Three
The opening drive for the Buccaneers is seamless, until Tampa Bay hits the red zone. After stalling, Ryan Succop hits a field, to give the Buccaneers their first lead of the game.
Todd Bowles’ defense finally engineers a stop on defense, but the Buccaneers have to take over deep in their own territory.
After the Panthers downed their punt at the Buccaneers two yard line. Then on a simply dive play, Jones takes it to the house with the longest run in Buccaneers history. 98 yards!
On the next play for the Panthers, Jason Pierre-Paul intercepts a pass by Bridgewater to get the ball in Carolina territory.
On the goal line, the Buccaneers can’t punch it in, and elect to kick a field goal and make it a 12 point game. Tampa Bay leads 29-17 with 3:10 remaining in the third quarter.
Tampa Bay gets a stop on defense, but the Panthers fake a punt, and are unsuccessful.
Score: 29-17 Bucs
Quarter Four
After converting a fourth down play themselves, the Buccaneers take the ball inside the 20, but a sack stalls the drive. Ryan Succop connects once again to make it a 16 point lead.
The Panthers answer with a 98 yard kickoff return, and two plays later, Bridgewater runs it in himself for six. Fortunately for the Buccaneers, the two point try is incomplete, so Tampa Bay still leads 32-23 with 11:23 remaining.
Tom Brady orchestrates a beautiful drive, utilizing Antonio Brown and Mike Evans to reach the one yard line. A quarterback sneak and an extra point makes the score 39-23…
After a sack on Bridgewater by Pierre-Paul, backup P.J. Walker comes into the game on fourth down, but can’t convert. The Buccaneers run the ball to speed up the clock, and score on a play action pass to Rob Gronkowski. Tampa Bay continues the beat down, making it 46-23 with 4:24 left in the game.
The Panthers officially wave the white flag with a punt, and the Buccaneers can simply take a knee, and ride on to 7-3.
Score: 46-23
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