The Carolina Panthers picked up a 23-20 victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. The win improved the Panthers’ record to 8-7 and put them atop the NFC South. Carolina next hosts Seattle on Dec. 28.
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales holds his arms wide open to hug members of his team following their 23-20 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Carolina Panthers linebacker Nic Scourton celebrates the team’s 23-20 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Former Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen waves to the crowd after banging the drum Sunday at Bank of America Stadium. TRACY KIMBALL tkimball@charlotteobserver.com
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young runs off the field smiling to head coach Dave Canales following the team’s 23-20 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, left and head coach Dave Canales, right, hug following the team’s 23-20 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Carolina Panthers linebacker Nic Scourton, right, rushes around the end toward Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield, left, during action on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. The Panthers defeated the Buccaneers 23-20. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Panthers’ Rico Dowdle carries the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ SirVocea Donnis, left, and Tykee Smith Sunday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. TRACY KIMBALL tkimball@charlotteobserver.com
Carolina Panthers safety Lathan Ransom, center, intercepts a pass by Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield during action on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. The Panthers defeated the Buccaneers 23-20. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Tampa Bay’s Benjamin Morrison tries to stop Carolina’s Jalen Coker during the fourth quarter Sunday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. TRACY KIMBALL tkimball@charlotteobserver.com
Carolina’s Christian Rozeboom sacks Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium. TRACY KIMBALL tkimball@charlotteobserver.com
Carolina Panthers rookie Tetairoa McMillan celebrates with fans after scoring a touchdown Sunday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. TRACY KIMBALL tkimball@charlotteobserver.com
Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle breaks to the inside against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. TRACY KIMBALL tkimball@charlotteobserver.com
Carolina receiver Tetairoa McMillian carries the ball as Tampa Bay’s SirVocea Dennis dives for the tackle Sunday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. TRACY KIMBALL tkimball@charlotteobserver.com
Carolina Panthers fans yell “defense” during the team’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. The Panthers defeated the Buccaneers 23-20. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Carolina Panthers receiver Jalen Coker braces for contact as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Benjamin Morrison makes the stop Sunday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. TRACY KIMBALL tkimball@charlotteobserver.com
Tampa Bay’s Kameron Johnson carries the ball against Carolina’s Akayleb Evans on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium. TRACY KIMBALL tkimball@charlotteobserver.com
Carolina receiver Xavier Legette loses control of the ball as Tampa Bay’s Aykee Smith leans in for the tackle Sunday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. TRACY KIMBALL tkimball@charlotteobserver.com
Carolina Panthers safety Lathan Ransom, center, celebrates his interception of a pass by Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield with his teammates on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. The Panthers defeated the Buccaneers 23-20. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, right, rushes for yardage as Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive lineman Logan Hall, left, looks to make the tackle during action on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2025, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. The Panthers defeated the Buccaneers 23-20. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
A Carolina Panthers fan makes a plea to quarterback Bryce Young during the team’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. The Panthers defeated the Buccaneers 23-20. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Carolina’s Tre’Von Moehrig jumps over Tampa Bay’s Chris Godwin Jr. as teammate Nick Scott makes the tackle Sunday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. TRACY KIMBALL tkimball@charlotteobserver.com
Carolina’s Ja’Tavion Sanders leaps over Tampa Bay’s Benjamin Morrison on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. TRACY KIMBALL tkimball@charlotteobserver.com
A Carolina Panthers fan shows his support for the team by having the team name airbrushed on his forehead for the team’s matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. The Panthers defeated the Buccaneers 23-20. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, left, turns to pick up yardage following a pass reception as Tampa Bay Buccaneers defenders look to make the tackle during action on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. The Panthers defeated the Buccaneers 23-20. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn, right, wraps up Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker, left, on a run during action on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. The Panthers defeated the Buccaneers 23-20. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Carolina Panthers tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders jumps over Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Benjamin Morrison following a pass reception during action on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. The Panthers defeated the Buccaneers 23-20. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
The Grinch celebrates the play of the Carolina Panthers during action against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. The Panthers defeated the Buccaneers 23-20. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Members of the Carolina Panthers defense sack Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield, center, during action on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. The Panthers defeated the Buccaneers 23-20. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, center, looks to scramble to the far sideline during action against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. The Panthers defeated the Buccaneers 23-20. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young races to the outside with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense giving chase during action on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. The Panthers defeated the Buccaneers 23-20. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle reached the 1,000-yard against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle reached the 1,000-yard against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, left, is congratulated by quarterback Bryce Young, right, after catching a touchdown pass during action against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr., center, runs between Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Benjamin Morrison, left, and teammate/tackle Josh Nijman, right, during action on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. The Panthers defeated the Buccaneers 23-20. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Carolina’s Jalen Coker carries the ball against Tampa Bay’s Jacob Parrish on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. TRACY KIMBALL tkimball@charlotteobserver.com
Carolina’s Sam Martin is tackled by Tampa Bays’s Lavonte David on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. TRACY KIMBALL tkimball@charlotteobserver.com
Carolina Panthers rookie Tetairoa McMillan scores a touchdown as Tampa Bay’s Jamel Dean follows Sunday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. TRACY KIMBALL tkimball@charlotteobserver.com
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Baker Mayfield threw for 347 yards and two touchdowns, while Mike Evans became the Buccaneers’ career scoring leader Sunday during Tampa Bay’s 33-16 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.
Mayfield, who completed 30 of 47 passes without an interception, also ran for a TD in helping the Bucs (3-1) dominate the rematch of a lopsided NFC wild-card game they won against the Eagles (2-2) last January.
Rebounding from a poor performance in a loss to Denver the previous week, Mayfield and the offense scored a touchdown on its opening possession for the first time in 21 games. Evans’ 2-yard scoring reception finished a 10-play, 79-yard drive that set the tone for the Bucs, who outgained the Eagles 254 yards to zero in building a 24-0 lead.
Jalen Hurts celebrates with Kenneth Gainwell, and Dallas Goedert after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buccaneers, Sept. 29, 2024.
(AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
Evans, who finished with eight receptions for 94 yards, moved ahead of Martin Gramatica (592) into first place on Tampa Bay’s scoring list with 596. Mayfield also threw a first-quarter TD pass to Trey Palmer and scored on a 1-yard run on fourth-and-goal to make it 21-0 early in the second quarter.
The Bucs held a 287-67 edge in yardage at halftime, with most of Philadelphia’s offense coming on a 14-play drive that Jalen Hurts finished with a 1-yard TD throw to Parris Campbell.
Tampa Bay ran 22 plays in Eagles territory before the Philadelphia offense finally crossed the 50-yard line in the second quarter. But despite the huge disparity statistically, the Eagles managed to get back into the game after Saquon Barkley began the second half with a 59-yard run to the Bucs 11.
That set up a 1-yard TD run by Hurts that cut into a 24-7 halftime deficit. The Eagles gave themselves a little more hope when Kelee Ringo scooped up a blocked extra-point kick on Tampa Bay’s next touchdown, then raced to the other end of the field for a two-point defensive extra point that trimmed the Bucs’ lead to 30-16.
Hurts took the kickoff and moved the Eagles to the Bucs 19 before linebacker Lavonte David sacked him, forcing a fumble that essentially end the chance for a successful comeback.
Tampa Bay defense finished with six sacks, and Hurts dropped to 1-4 in five career starts against the Bucs.
Barkley rushed for 94 yards on 10 carries. Hurts finished 18 of 30 for 150 yards and no interceptions.
Jalen Hurts, right, is tackled by Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Chris Braswell during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Tampa, Fla.
(AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
Back in the house
Seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady was back at Raymond James Stadium as part of the FOX television broadcast crew. He played the final three seasons of his career with the Bucs, leading Tampa Bay to one Super Bowl title and a pair of NFC South championships before retiring after the 2022 season. Brady stood in the broadcast booth and acknowledged cheering fans when the Bucs officially welcomed him back during the two-minute warning in the first half.
Injuries
Eagles: Played without top two WRs A.J. Brown (hamstring) and DeVonta Smith (concussion), Pro Bowl T Lane Johnson (concussion). LB Devin White (personal matter) was also inactive. S Reed Blankenship (illness) sat out the second half. DT Jalen Carter and C Cam Jurgens (cramps) missed time in the fourth quarter as the temperature on the field exceeded 100 degrees.
Buccaneers: All-Pro S Antoine Winfield Jr. (foot), DL Calijah Kancey (calf) and RT Luke Goedeke (concussion) were inactive. … Palmer left the game late in the first quarter to be evaluated for a concussion. … LB SirVocea Dennis (shoulder) departed in the second quarter and did not return.
Up next
Eagles: Bye week before hosting Cleveland on Oct. 13.
Buccaneers: At NFC South rival Atlanta on Thursday night.
