Breathe, Bucs fans.
Despite a third-quarter run from the Panthers, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers held on for their first victory of the season, 31-17, over their NFC South rival. In the first half, on both sides of the ball, the Buccaneers looked like a well-oiled machine as they jumped out to a 21-0 lead after two quarters. A Tom Brady interception gave life to the Panthers in the third, however, Leonard Fournette’s 49-yard run sealed the victory for Tampa.
Speaking of Brady, it was the quarterbacks first win as a Buccaneer and despite the interception, he was really good under center on Sunday. In the first half, Brady completed 17-of-23 for 198 yards and a touchdown. He ended the game 23-of-35 for 217 yards and a touchdown as well as the one interception.
Latest Buccaneers News
- Reminiscing On Colts’ Preseason Predictions
- Chiefs-Raiders Preview: Secure Home Field
- Chiefs Opinion: Eric Berry Can Save Chiefs Defense
- Chiefs-Chargers Recap: Chargers Comeback, Stun Chiefs
- NFL Draft: Players to Watch in Saturday’s Bowl Games
- Chiefs-Ravens Recap: Resilient Rally In OT
- Chiefs-Ravens Preview: Something’s Got To Give
- FPC Buccaneers Round Table: Can Dirk Koetter Save His Job?
- Chiefs Sign Kelvin Benjamin
- Jacksonville Jaguars: Seven-Round 2019 Mock Draft
- Matchup Breakdown: Los Angeles Rams vs Detroit Lions
- Chiefs-Raiders Preview: Get Back On Track
- Chiefs-Rams Recap: Monday Night Madness
- Chiefs-Rams Preview: Game of the Year?
- Chiefs-Cardinals Preview: Take Care of the Birds
- Chiefs-Browns Recap: Cleveland Boys Takedown Browns
- Chiefs-Browns Preview: Take Care of Business
- Chiefs-Broncos Preview: Another Division Rivalry Sweep?
- Chiefs Week 7: Three Up, Two Down
- Three Up, Three Down- Chiefs-Patriots
- Chiefs-49ers Preview: The Home Opener Has Arrived
- Chiefs-Chargers Preview: Turning Out the Bolts
- Chiefs Defensive Backs: Projected 53 Man Roster
- Three Things to Watch For: Chiefs vs Packers
- Three Things to Watch For: Chiefs vs Bears
- Three Things to Watch For: Chiefs vs Falcons
- Chiefs Offensive Line: Projected 53 Man Roster
- Three Things to Watch For: Chiefs vs Texans
- Chiefs Tight Ends: Projected 53 Man Roster
- Chiefs Wide Receivers: Projected 53 Man Roster
- Chiefs Running Backs: Projected 53 Man Roster
- Chiefs 2018 Breakout Candidates: Defense
- Chiefs 2018 Breakout Candidates: Offense
- 2018 Chiefs Draft Review: KC Addresses the Defense and Needs
- Our Newest Titan: Rashaan Evans
- 2018 Kansas City Chiefs Schedule
- Chiefs Draft Prospect: Parry Nickerson
- Chiefs Draft Prospect: Dorance Armstrong Jr.
- Chiefs Complete More Signings
- Chiefs Officially Release Tamba Hali and Ron Parker
- Chiefs Ink Sammy Watkins and Anthony Hitchens
- NFL Free Agent Tracker (Live Updates)
- Chiefs Free Agent Targets: Backup Quarterback
- AL Notes: LeMahieu Deal Helps Yankees With Luxury Tax Issues
- Die-Hard Ravens Fan Jason Song Predicts Baltimore Upset Over Buffalo
- Chiefs vs Browns Preview: Three Keys To Victory
- Why Hall-of-Famer Jim Brown Has No Equal When it Comes to Respect From His Peers
- Opening Night Win Affirms Bruins Have To Extend Tuukka Rask’s Contract
The numbers don’t jump off the screen but the Bucs dropped several passes, including two potential deep touchdowns. He also had a pass to Fournette fall just inches short of the endzone. The point is, numbers can be misleading and despite the interception, the 43-year-old had a strong game.
Three Up, Three Down
Up
Leonard Fournette
After an uninspiring debut in Week One (five carries, five yards), Fournette found his groove against the Panthers. The aforementioned 49-yard touchdown run sealed the win for the Bucs but for the day, the former Jaguar averaged 8.6 yards a carry and ended the day with 103 yards on the ground and four catches for 13 yards.
Antoine Winfield Jr.
In two games, Winfield Jr. has quickly established himself as one of the Buccaneers’ most dangerous playmakers on a defense ripe with them. In his NFL debut last week, Winfield Jr. picked up his first interception, and Sunday against the Panthers, his strip-sack, recovered by Jason Pierre Paul, led to a Buccaneers touchdown in the first half. He ended the game with 11 total tackles.
Tom Brady
As mentioned before, the numbers don’t jump off the screen but his game film does. Are there still issues that need to be worked out? Sure. However, Brady’s command of the offense is apparent and it seems that several of the issues that plagued the offense a week ago were less noticeable this week. In particular, he and Mike Evans seemed far more in sync against Carolina.
🚨 NEW ARRIVALS 🚨
Check out the Election Collection at the @FP_Coverage Store!#GoBucs #NFL @FullPressNFL
Get yours here 👉 https://t.co/THsy9IrtoV pic.twitter.com/zXyOquS7OD
— Full Press Buccaneers (@FPC_Buccaneers) September 20, 2020
Down
Rob Gronkowski
It is early, however, Gronk looks like the player that he was at the end of the 2018 season. Now, there could be some rust given his year off, however, he doesn’t look like the dominating player he was for so many seasons in New England. Against the Panthers, Gronkowski had no receptions on just one target. He did draw a defensive penalty that gave the Bucs a first down, however, it was a pass that went right through his hands. His one target led to Brady’s lone interception of the game. It wasn’t a great throw from Brady but it’s fair to wonder if he would have brought it down regardless.
Ronald Jones
Jones did have a rushing touchdown, however, a bad exchange between he and Brady led to a turnover that killed an early offensive drive. On the ground, Jones averaged just 3.3 yards per carry. Conversely, newcomer Fournette averaged 8.8 and seemed to get stronger and more comfortable as the game went on.
Scotty Miller
After a nice debut last week (five receptions for 73 yards), Miller caught just two passes for 11 yards against the Panthers. Now, Mike Evans took a lot of the targets, however, with the absence of Chris Godwin with a concussion, the hope would be that Miller would build off the strong debut with a bigger opportunity for targets against the Panthers.
Up Next
The Buccaneers look to move to 2-1 in Denver as they take on the Broncos.