In a game that many thought would have plenty of points to it, both the Buccaneers are the Panthers started the contest each with a three-and-out. Bucs quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick targeted wide receiver Mike Evans twice on the first drive and wasn’t able to connect on either of them.

On the Bucs second possession, however, Fitzpatrick overthrew Evans for a second time with more dire consequences — an interception by safety Eric Reid that was returned all the way inside the Buccaneers’ 10-yard line. From there, it was easy for the Panthers to punch it through in three plays to take the early 7-0 lead.

On the Bucs’ next possession, they got one first down, but that was it, as the Panthers defense held firm and forced a punt. When Cam Newton and the Carolina offense got the ball back, they went 88 yards in eight plays for their second score of the game. Running back Christian McCaffrey was the catalyst on that drive, and was rewarded with the three-yard score. 14-0 for the home team.

On the Bucs’ next possession, they were able to answer with an 8-play 75-yard drive of their own that ended in seven points. Big runs on the ground by both Fitzpatrick and Peyton Barber, as well as some small, quick passes to Adam Humphries and O.J. Howard, capped the drive off with Carolina’s lead cut to seven, 14-7.

But the Panthers offense didn’t let up. After allowing the Bucs to get their first score of the game, Carolina marched 75 yards in just five plays for another touchdown that brought the score to 21-7. After a three-and-out by the Bucs, the Panthers took over and scored yet again to make the game 28-7.

With the score 28-7, nothing working on offense and a three-and-out coming for Tampa Bay, Bucs head coach Dirk Koetter dialed up a fake punt pass that went incomplete for a turnover on downs. With great field position, the Panthers then went 25 yards in five plays capped off by an incredible catch in the end zone by Carolina tight end Greg Olsen to make the score 35-7.

But the Bucs didn’t go away, and with four minutes left in the half, Tampa Bay took it 75 yards in 11 plays to chip into the lead, as the game went to halftime 35-14.

The Bucs defense came out for the second half better than they started the first, as they held the Panthers to three-and-outs on their first two possessions. After punting on their first possession, the Bucs took the ball 84 yards in 10 plays for a touchdown to make the score 35-21.

The Bucs defense may not have held the Panthers to a three-and-out on their third possession of the half, but they did stop them on downs for the Bucs offense to take over at midfield. After taking over right on their own side of the 50, Fitzpatrick led the Buccaneers down the field on a 6-play 79-yard drive that ended in seven points. The contest was back to a one-score game entering the fourth quarter.

The Panthers offense, with their backs against the wall for the first time all game, woke up on their following possession. Big gains through the air by Christian McCaffrey and Greg Olsen helped orchestrate a 9-play, 75-yard drive that took over five minutes off the game clock and ended in a touchdown to give them a two-score lead once again at 42-28.

Down two scores, the Bucs offense tried to get things going, but a ton of pressure dialed up by the Panthers defense left the Buccaneers offensive line overwhelmed — a theme throughout the day. The Bucs were forced to punt and put the game on the shoulders of their defense.

They came up big and forced a three-and-out.

But, on Fitzpatrick’s first pass of the next possession, he tried to hit DeSean Jackson deep down the field and it was instead intercepted by Panthers rookie cornerback Donte Jackson.

And that’s all the Panthers would need. A few first downs later, the clock was drained and the win was theirs by a score of 42-28.