After two straight losses on the road, the Bucs returned to Raymond James Stadium needing a win to stay alive in what has once again been a very sad NFC South race. Despite hosting a 1-10 Panthers team that fired its head coach during the week, Tampa Bay struggled its way to a 21-18 win. Still, a win is a win and Todd Bowles’ team is now set up for a pivotal matchup against the Falcons next week.

Bucs RB Rachaad White – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The game started with the two teams trading punts, and there were plenty more to come throughout the rest of the first half. The Bucs did get the game’s first points, though, with Mike Evans catching a 40-yard pass from Baker Mayfield on a 3rd & 10 before drawing a pass interference call two plays later. That set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Rachaad White to give Tampa Bay a 7-0 first-quarter lead.

Carolina responded by driving down the field as the first quarter drew to a close and heavy rain started falling at Raymond James Stadium. To make matters worse, K.J. Britt, one of only two healthy linebackers with Lavonte David, Devin White and SirVocea Dennis all sidelined, went down with a back injury on the drive and wouldn’t return.

But a Ryan Neal tackle for loss on 3rd & 1 at the 2 did force the Panthers into a 23-yard field goal by Eddy Pineiro, and those were the final points of the first half.

Three of the Bucs’ final four drives of the first half ended in punts, while the other ended in a bad interception from Mayfield. The Panthers didn’t take advantage, punting on the next three possessions after their field goal before ending the half with a turnover on downs.

Bucs DT Calijah Kancey and OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Panthers QB Bryce Young – Photo by: USA Today

Through 30 minutes, the Bucs led 7-3 and they had just 142 total yards to the Panthers’ 130.

The second half began with more of the same, with Carolina and Tampa Bay trading punts on their first two possessions each, bringing the total between the two teams to 12 for the game. But after Jake Camarda’s second punt of the third quarter, the Panthers swung the game in their favor.

Passes of 16 yards to Stephen Sullivan and 31 yards to Jonathan Mingo got Carlina to 1st & Goal from the 9-yard line. And two plays later, Chuba Hubbard punched the ball in from one yard out to give the Panthers a 10-7 lead. It was a seven-play, 65-yard drive that led to Carolina’s

That lead for the visitors only lasted for the ensuing kickoff, as Tampa Bay’s next possession began and ended with a 75-yard touchdown pass from Mayfield to Evans. To that point in the game, 144 of Mayfield’s 168 yards were courtesy of Evans.

The Tampa Bay defense responded from there. A third-down pass breakup by Antoine Winfield Jr. ended one Carolina drive, then another featured sacks from Yaya Diaby and J.J. Russell — the Bucs’ only healthy inside linebacker after Britt’s injury early in the game.

Early in the fourth quarter, the Buccaneer offense found some separation. Chris Godwin, who was without a catch at the time, took an end-around 19 yards for a touchdown to give the home team a 21-10 lead with 11:36 to go. That finished a seven-play, 67-yard drive for Dave Canales’ offense.

Bucs OLB YaYa Diaby – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The Panthers weren’t dead yet, though. They methodically marched down the field on Tampa Bay’s defense, staying alive at one point by converting a 4th & 6 with a 30-yard pass from Young to D.J. Chark down to the 8-yard line.

A couple plays later, Carolina Hubbard touchdown run from one yard out. After Joe Tryon-Shoyinka was called for a facemask on the two-point attempt, Young ran it in on the next try to bring his team within 21-18 with 5:02 left. It was an 11-play, 75-yard drive that took 6:34.

The Bucs’ next possession saw Mike Evans pick up an 11-yard catch to go over the 1,000-yard receiving mark for a 10th straight season, but they eventually had to punt the ball away with 3:40 to go.

Carolina had a chance to go down the field and win the game, but that chance went nowhere. Facing a 4th & 1 from the 40, Young threw deep for Adam Thielen and had his pass intercepted by Antoine Winfield Jr. One first down later, the Bucs sealed a 21-18 win.

Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photo by: USA Today

Baker Mayfield didn’t have his best day, completing just 14 of his 29 passes for 202 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

Mike Evans was the big star of the day, breaking 1,000 yards once again with a seven-catch, 162-yard performance. His big play was the 75-yard touchdown that came right after the Panthers took their first and only lead of the day. Rachaad White ended up with a solid stat line himself thanks to a late 30-yard run. He put up 84 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries while catching three passes for 22 yards.

Antoine Winfield Jr. led the way for the Tampa Bay defense, coming up with a sack and the game-sealing interception. Yaya Diaby and J.J. Russell added sacks as well, while Calijah Kancey totaled two quarterback hits.

The Bucs (5-7) are now in second place in the NFC South ahead of a Week 14 road game against the division-leading Falcons (6-6). Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m.