The goal for Tampa Bay leading into the Week 16 clash was to run the ball 30-plus times and the unit did so effectively. In two wins against the Carolina Panthers in 2024, the Buccaneers ran the ball 39 and 40 times, respectively, so they believed that formula would work again. The proficiency of the ground game did not result in a victory this time, but Tampa Bay ran for 169 yards on 33 carries (5.1 avg.) on Sunday, tied for their third-most in a single game in 2025. Their 5.1 yards per carry was their fourth-highest average in a game this year. Sunday's game marked the 10th time this season that they have eclipsed 100 yards on the ground in a game.
Rachaad White produced 60 yards from scrimmage, including 45 rushing yards on five carries and two catches for 15 yards. With his output in Week 16, White eclipsed 4,000 scrimmage yards for his career, becoming the 13th player in team history to reach that milestone. He recorded a 39-yard carry on the day, marking the second-longest rush of his career and Tampa Bay's second-longest run of the season. He initially went inside, then stuck his foot in the ground and transitioned outside, exploding across midfield. Tristan Wirfs extended a block to seal off the cutback lane for White. With his two catches on the day, White also eclipsed 200 career receptions.
Bucky Irving led Tampa Bay with 71 rushing yards on the day and Sean Tucker scored his team-leading seventh rushing touchdown of the season and the ninth of his career. He bounced to the outside and walked untouched into the end zone to give Tampa Bay a 17-13 advantage. The Bucs took a run-heavy approach on early downs and eventually got the explosive to White. Irving continued to wear down the Panthers' unit with three to six-yard runs that eventually turned into 11 and 12-yard gains.
"You play well when you rush over 30 attempts per game statistically speaking and I think we had some runs in there and a chance to throw it but we controlled the time of possession and the clock all the way down to the end," said Head Coach Todd Bowles after the game.
