The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Carolina Panthers 43-13 on October 25, 2026, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, behind a dominant rushing attack and an opportunistic defense led by returning quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Mayfield Returns As Buccaneers Build Early Lead
Entering the Week 7 matchup needing a victory, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-5) turned to Baker Mayfield, who returned to the starting lineup after missing three games with a thumb injury. Mayfield connected with wide receiver Tez Johnson on a crucial third-and-10 completion during an opening 14-play, 70-yard drive that consumed more than seven minutes. Running back Bucky Irving finished the possession with a four-yard touchdown run to put Tampa Bay ahead 7-0.
Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield (right thumb) will play vs. Panthers after three-game absence. pic.twitter.com/qVgsdaIcgz
Special teams miscues compounded early struggles for the Carolina Panthers (3-3). Returner David Moore muffed a punt from Dixon, allowing tight end Ko Kieft to recover the ball at the Carolina 18-yard line. Although the drive stalled, Chase McLaughlin kicked a 22-yard field goal early in the second quarter to stretch the lead to 10-0.
Defense And Turnovers Expand Tampa Bay Advantage
Things unraveled further for Carolina in the second quarter following defensive pressure. Outside linebacker Al-Quadin Muhammad stripped Panthers quarterback Bryce Young after a sack by Yaya Diaby, and defensive tackle Calijah Kancey recovered the loose ball, returning it 32 yards for a touchdown to make it 17-0.
Carolina briefly answered when Bryce Young connected with tight end Darren Waller on a 50-yard touchdown pass. However, the extra-point attempt was blocked by Tykee Smith, and cornerback Zyon McCollum returned the blocked kick for a defensive two-point conversion, bringing the score to 19-6. Kenneth Gainwell then ripped off a 29-yard run to set up Irving’s second touchdown of the afternoon, a one-yard plunge.
Before halftime, McCollum intercepted Young and returned it 18 yards to the Carolina 32-yard line. Mayfield capitalized immediately, finding Johnson for a 14-yard touchdown pass with just 12 seconds remaining in the half, giving the Buccaneers a commanding 33-6 advantage at the break after a 26-point second-quarter explosion.
Second-Half Dominance Seals The Road Win
Carolina’s offensive woes persisted after the intermission. Diaby recorded two sacks on the opening possession of the third quarter, and Smith intercepted Young a second time near the Carolina 32-yard line. Though the Tampa Bay offense slowed down in the second half, McLaughlin added a 44-yard field goal to push the margin to 36-6.
The Panthers managed a long drive deep into Buccaneers territory later in the quarter, but the defense held firm on fourth-and-1 from the five-yard line, stopping Young’s pass incomplete. Tucker later broke free for a 46-yard touchdown run, extending the lead to 43-6.
In garbage time, Pickett engineered a final scoring drive for the visitors, hitting Mitchell Evans on a second-and-8 before Tyus capped the sequence with a rushing score, finalizing the 43-13 scoreline.
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