The Buccaneers keep their playoff hopes alive, beating the Carolina Panthers 21-18. In a wet and ugly game, the Bucs and wide receiver Mike Evans in particular made just enough plays to keep the game out of reach from the Panthers.
Only a few minutes into the first half, rain began to pour on Raymond James Stadium, which appeared to affect both teams’ ability to move the ball. Tampa Bay drew first blood, scoring off a one-yard Rachaad White run set up by a 40-yard reception by Mike Evans.
The Bucs defense managed to hold the Panthers to just three points in the first half, holding them at the two-yard line on third-and-goal. Tampa Bay and Carolina traded punts for most of the second quarter, punctuated only by a Baker Mayfield interception and capped by the Panthers turning the ball over on downs to close the half.
The second half was much drier and heavier on scoring. The Panthers struck first with a 65-yard touchdown drive that included a 31-yard completion from Bryce Young to WR Jonathan Mingo. The Bucs immediately hit back, scoring in less than 10 seconds thanks to a 75-yard catch and run by Evans:
Mike Evans goes 75 yards to get the lead back!
📺: #CARvsTB on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/xvCjbLUIcN pic.twitter.com/3aOjMTBQzj— NFL (@NFL) December 3, 2023
Tampa Bay scored again in the fourth quarter off a 19-yard Chris Godwin sweep play, which was his only touch of the day:
Chris Godwin takes the carry and extends the lead ‼️
📺: #CARvsTB on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/xvCjbLUIcN pic.twitter.com/Q6lyGlk5gv— NFL (@NFL) December 3, 2023
The Panthers responded in kind, putting together a 75-yard scoring drive, their longest of the day, that featured two of Young’s best throws of the game, including a pinpoint 30-yard drop in the bucket to DJ Chark Jr. Carolina subsequent two-point conversion attempt was successful, putting them within a field goal of tying the game.
After the Bucs went three-and-out on the following series, the Panthers had the ball with 3:31 left. On 4th-and-1, Bryce Young underthrew WR Adam Theilen and was instead picked off by Antoine Winfield Jr. The Bucs were able to convert on the following drive to end the game.
Both Baker Mayfield and Bryce Young struggled in the rain. Each completed less than 50% of his passes and threw a pick during the game. Mayfield, who went 14-for-29 and 202 yards, was entirely reliant on Evans, who caught seven passes for 162 yards and a touchdown.
Evans now has 1,012 receiving yards this season, giving him his 10th consecutive 1,000-yard season, an NFL record. He accounted for just over 50% of Tampa’s total yards, not including yards he picked up via penalty.
Tampa Bay’s defense got the job done without four of its five linebackers, albeit allowing 133 rush yards and more wide-open receptions. Rookie defensive tackle Calijah Kancey continued to make a case for Defensive Rookie of the Year, leading the team with two QB hits including one to force Young’s game-sealing interception.
With the New Orleans Saints losing to the Detroit Lions, the Bucs are now in second place in the NFC South and just one game behind the Atlanta Falcons who they face next week. The Bucs will likely need some of their linebackers back by next Sunday if they have any hope to retake the NFC South lead.
