With the playoffs out of the picture, the Carolina Panthers erred on the side of caution and held a number of their starters out of Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Just a few weeks ago, Carolina took Tampa Bay to the brink before victory was snatched from their grasp as running back Chuba Hubbard fumbled the ball in field goal range in sudden death overtime. Hubbard, who was having a career season, would have liked to avenge that loss but he was placed on injured reserve on Saturday morning. Rookie defensive back Chau Smith-Wade was placed on IR also. Those weren’t the only starters missing as the Panthers were without veterans Taylor Moton, Jaycee Horn, Josey Jewell, Jordan Fuller.
This game was anything but close as the Bucs did whatever they wanted; scoring on all but their last drive before the half. Carolina came out strong, scoring on their first drive as Bryce Young connected with Adam Thielen for the first of their two touchdown hookups of the afternoon. The Panthers had a chance to put some points on the board in the last seconds of the third quarter but kicker Eddy Pineiro’s 53-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left and the Bucs went into the intermission holding a 27-14 lead.
Carolina would get the ball first to start the second half but failed to add to their 14 point total. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay kept the ball rolling – right into the end-zone as they scored on their two possessions of the second half. Defense even got in on the fun with Joe Tryon-Shoyinka blocking Johnny Hekker’s punt and teammate JJ Russell scooped the ball and scored from 23 yards out to continue the rout. Receivers Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan both scored two touchdowns each and tight end Payne Durham added another. Bucky Irving led all rushers with 113 yards on 20 carries.
The Panthers defense has struggled mightily at times this season and the afternoon wasn’t any easier with Jewell or Horne. As a result, the Bucs were able to rack up 551 total net yards of offense as they routed the Panthers 48-14 in first year head coach Dave Canales first return to Tampa Bay after serving as the offensive coordinator there last season. Baker Mayfield finished with 359 yards and five touchdowns on 27-of-32 passing. His counterpart, Young, finished with 204 yards and two touchdowns on 15-of-28 passing while being sacked five times. Thielen led the Panthers with five catches for 110 yards and two touchdowns. Carolina falls to 4-12 and close out the regular season on the road against the Atlanta Falcons next week.
