It is only October, yet the Bucs entered Week 7 needing a win to keep any hope alive of turning their season around.

Whatever they did to prepare for this one, they need to repeat it, as they played as inspired and energized as I’ve ever seen.

Tampa Bay made it a 33-6 blowout by halftime as they routed Carolina, 43-13. Here is what was most impressive about the team’s most impressive performance in 2026.

RB Bucky Irving

With Baker Mayfield returning following a three-game absence and the offense being without Emeka Egbuka, Zac Robinson’s top priority was putting the ball in Bucky Irving’s hands. Irving’s first carry gained 15 yards, and he propelled Tampa Bay’s offense on the first drive of the game with 10 carries for 47 yards. He capped it off with his third rushing touchdown of the season.

Robinson’s struggles with early-game play sequencing were something I wrote about and researched extensively in my Slivon’s Slant column on Saturday. He responded by putting the ball in his star running back’s hands and letting him take over with his largest workload of the year.

When the little things are clicking, the offense has shown the ability to tire opposing defenses and control the time of possession. Irving is a key piece in the entire operation, and he finished Sunday’s game with 24 carries for 106 rushing yards and two scores.

What a day by No. 7.

OC Zac Robinson — Really

Zac Robinson’s offensive gameplan worked.

Bucs RB Bucky Irving – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

It didn’t even require Baker Mayfield to air it out. There were plenty of variables in the equation which allowed the Bucs to get out to a 33-6 first-half lead. The defense sure helped matters, but Robinson deserves credit for how he continued to find ways to catch the Panthers’ defense off-guard. That meant a heavy dose of Bucky Irving, but Kenny Gainwell (14 carries for 88 yards) was the most involved he’s been all season.

Sticking with the run was a bold strategy, but it proved to be the right one with Carolina having the 27th-ranked run defense entering the game. When Mayfield was called upon to make throws, he did his part and threw a beautiful ball to Tez Johnson to close out the first half.

On the day, the offense had 258 rushing yards and controlled the time of possession 35:57 to 24:03.

OLB Al-Quadin Muhammad And DT Calijah Kancey

Al-Quadin Muhammad has been a solid rotational pass-rusher for the Bucs this season, but he took it up a notch in Week 7. Muhammad came off the edge and perfectly sacked Panthers quarterback Bryce Young to force a fumble. The ball bounced right to Calijah Kancey, who returned it 32 yards for a scoop-and-score touchdown.

A somersault touchdown celebration by Kancey?!

Bucs DT Calijah Kancey – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

Todd Bowles showing emotion on the sideline getting out to a 17-0 lead?!

This play was an unexpected surprise that completely swung the momentum in the road team’s favor.

OLB Yaya Diaby

It finally happened.

Yaya Diaby entered the sack column with not just one sack.

Not just two sacks.

Diaby had three sacks.

Diaby was mired in a prolonged slump entering this one as many (including myself) have clamored for Todd Bowles to start David Walker. “Sub-Zero” won’t be phased out anytime soon as he looks to turn his season around from here on out after an incredible performance.

Bucs Offensive Line

While respecting the greatness of left tackle Tristan Wirfs, the most consistent Bucs offensive lineman from Week 1 to Week 7 was arguably right tackle Luke Goedeke. With Goedeke out, there was some concern about how the trenches would hold up for Baker Mayfield and create running lanes for Bucky Irving.

Very quickly, those concerned proved to be moot points as they dominated the line of scrimmage throughout the afternoon.

It was a group effort all-around, especially with the interior offensive line moving the pile forward and Ben Chukwuma sealing the right side in his spot start. Mayfield wasn’t sacked at all, and when he did pass, he had the time to make the throws.

The offensive line looked like the group everyone has been waiting to see. They were unbelievable.

Ko Kieft On Special Teams!

Former Bucs wide receiver David Moore made a game-changing gaffe on special teams for the Panthers. Moore muffing Riley Dixon’s first punt of the game gave Tampa Bay a prime opportunity. Ko Kieft was “Johnny on the spot” to recover it and give the offense the ball at Carolina’s 18-yard line.

Kieft has stuck around in recent years for his special teams and blocking abilities. His niche role paid dividends in allowing the team to get out to an early two-possession lead at the beginning of the second quarter.

Tykee Smith And Zyon McCollum On Special Teams, Too!

Danny Smith has to be pleased with the positive impact Bucs special teams had on the game today. If Ko Kieft recovering a muffed punt wasn’t enough, Tykee Smith and Zyon McCollum teamed up to lessen the blow of giving up a touchdown. Smith blocked Ryan Fitzgerald’s extra-point attempt, with McCollum right there to pick it up and run it back for an extra two points. Tampa Bay will take every point it can get.

CB Zyon McCollum

Zyon McCollum was making plays all over the football field.

Bucs CB Zyon McCollum and OLB Yaya Diaby – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

Adding to his special teams moment was the fact he jumped a Bryce Young pass intended for Jalen Coker to come away with an interception he returned for 18 yards. It was the first half of dreams for Tampa Bay as everything went right on offense, defense, and special teams. McCollum has had a bounce-back season and was a catalyst for the team turning it around and playing energized football.

S Tykee Smith

I included Zyon McCollum twice, so it’s only right I add Tykee Smith again. Smith joined Tampa Bay’s turnover party in the third quarter by picking off Bryce Young. Looking for John Metchie, Young instead found a wide-open No. 23.

This wasn’t just a masterclass defensive performance.

This was kicking ass and taking names at its finest.

RB Sean Tucker

Sean Tucker saw Bucky Irving and Kenny Gainwell running wild and had to join them.

Tucker’s first two carries in the game netted negative one yard, but all it takes is one touch for him to break a long run. He did just that with a 46-yard scamper in the fourth quarter, which made it a 43-6 game.

DT Vita Vea

How many players can I fit in this week’s Most Impressive column? Vita Vea deserves to sneak on here for his best game yet in 2026. Vea consistently moved the center out of his way to get into the backfield and force the ball out of Bryce Young’s hands. The burly nose tackle recorded his first sack of 2026, too.

ILB Josiah Trotter

While not as impressive as the other defensive performances mentioned above, Josiah Trotter deserves a shout for being stout in run defense and even knocking down a pass at the line of scrimmage as a free runner in the third quarter. Trotter has had a quality rookie season hitting the ground running.

K Chase McLaughlin

I might as well throw the 2026 Bucs MVP on here, too. Chase McLaughlin didn’t have to do as much heavy lifting this week, but he made both his field goal attempts and drilled all five extra points. It was just another day at the office for “Money McLaughlin.”