Skip to main content
Advertising

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Rapid Reaction: Recapping Bucs vs. Panthers

Despite improved defensive effort, turnovers would prove too much for Tampa Bay.

Pictures from the Buccaneers' Week 8 matchup with the Panthers.

It was a relatively quiet first half for each team. The Carolina Panthers would open scoring with 1:34 left in the first quarter on a one-yard touchdown run from running back Jonathan Stewart.

From there, despite getting seven different receivers involved in the first half, Tampa Bay wouldn't be able to translate that into points on the board. Five penalties and a fumble by quarterback Jameis Winston would further prevent the Bucs offense from finding their rhythm.

The two teams went into halftime with Carolina leading 10-0.

Chris Conte would attempt to light the fuse in the second half, intercepting quarterback Cam Newton at the Buccaneers 36-yard line on the Panthers' opening drive. However, just as the Bucs were threatening, Winston was sacked, subsequently knocking Tampa Bay out of field goal range and forcing the punt.

The ground game became a focus in the second half for the Bucs, with running back Doug Martin getting some more work on Tampa Bay's second drive of the half. His efforts would aid in a Patrick Murray 41-yard field goal to give the Bucs their first and only score of the game.

Linebacker Kwon Alexander got back in the swing of things in his second game back from injury. He registered 10 tackles on the day, including a crucial tackle-for-loss on running back Christian McCaffrey, bringing up a third and long and ultimately forcing Carolina to punt in the third quarter.

Interceptions on back-to-back drives would further hinder the Bucs' efforts. Carolina would only capitalize on one, though, extending their lead to 17-3 with 4:10 left in the game.

The Bucs came up empty on their final possession of the game as they went on to drop their second game at home 17-3.

This article has been reproduced in a new format and may be missing content or contain faulty links. Please use the Contact Us link in our site footer to report an issue.

Latest Headlines

Advertising