Buccaneers rout Panthers 43-13 as Bucky Irving runs for two TDs and Tampa Bay forces four turnovers

Final: Buccaneers 43, Panthers 13. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers ran for 258 yards, forced four turnovers and led 33-6 at halftime on their way to a lopsided win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Oct. 25, in Charlotte.

Tampa Bay improved to 2-5. Carolina fell to 3-3. According to The Associated Press, the Bucs had played 12 straight one-score games, dating to last season, before this one.

Was Baker Mayfield playing?

Yes. Baker Mayfield returned after missing three games with a dislocated thumb on his throwing hand. AP reported that he wore a protective glove. The Bucs didn’t need much from him: he threw just 11 passes, completing seven for 64 yards and a touchdown. AP said he improved to 7-1 against the Panthers.

“With all of these handoffs, I don’t know, my thumb might be pretty sore,” Mayfield joked, according to AP.

Bucky Irving and the run game

Bucky Irving ran for 106 yards and two touchdowns, including a 4-yard score that finished a 14-play, 70-yard opening drive. Kenny Gainwell added 88 yards on 14 carries. Tampa Bay ran the ball 49 times.

The Panthers’ team site noted that Carolina had allowed only 81 rushing yards in its previous two games combined. The Bucs ran for 147 in the first half alone.

Four turnovers and a wild extra point

Things kept going wrong for Carolina:

• Strip-sack touchdown: Al-Quadin Muhammad knocked the ball loose from Bryce Young, and Calijah Kancey returned it 32 yards for a touchdown.
• Muffed punt: David Moore muffed a punt, which led to a Tampa Bay field goal.
• Two interceptions: Young was picked off twice.
• Blocked extra point: Young hit Darren Waller for a 50-yard touchdown to make it 17-6. The Bucs blocked the extra point, and Zyon McCollum returned it 70 yards for 2 points. Panthers.com said that hadn’t happened to Carolina since 2015.

YaYa Diaby had three of Tampa Bay’s five sacks.

“We just got after Bryce and tried to take away his first read and just be aggressive,” Diaby said, according to AP.

A rough day for Bryce Young

Young, who came in as the NFL’s leader in passing yards per game, finished 14 of 27 for 163 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. He also lost a fumble. Backup Kenny Pickett replaced him in the fourth quarter, according to Panthers.com.

“I can’t turn the ball like that. It hurts the team and that’s on me,” Young said, according to AP.

Panthers coach Dave Canales called it “really disappointing.” He pointed to “turnovers really in every phase.”

Taylor Moton injury

The worst news for Carolina came in the third quarter. Right tackle Taylor Moton was carted off with a left ankle/fibula injury and didn’t return. Moton had only just come back after missing the first four games while being treated for blood clots in his lungs. Rookie Monroe Freeling replaced him.

For Tampa Bay, Gainwell briefly left with a hip injury but returned.

Kuechly honored

At halftime, the Panthers presented Luke Kuechly with his Hall of Fame ring. Kuechly also hit the “Keep Pounding” drum before the game.

What’s next

Tampa Bay hosts Atlanta next Sunday. Carolina plays at Green Bay on Thursday night.

FAQ