Pewter Report’s PR Roundtable
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A new Pewter Report Roundtable debuts every Tuesday on PewterReport.com. Each week, the Pewter Reporters tackle another tough Bucs question. This week’s prompt: Who gets your game ball in the Bucs’ big 43-13 win over the Panthers in Week 7?

Scott Reynolds: Tykee Smith Came Through With A Huge Game In Carolina

My game ball goes to safety Tykee Smith, who has really stepped over the past couple of weeks without fellow safety Antoine Winfield Jr. available. You know that rookie inside linebacker Josiah Trotter leads the team with 62 tackles. But did you know that Smith is second on the team with 41 tackles? Smith had a career-high 100 tackles last year and is on pace to hit that number again. After posting a career-high 10 stops against Pittsburgh, Smith had seven tackles against Carolina in Sunday’s 43-13 win.

Bucs S Tykee Smith and Panthers RB Chuba Hubbard – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

Smith is currently tied for second on the team with three tackles for loss, and has a pair of pass breakups this year as well as a forced fumble. But on Sunday in Carolina he took his game to another level this season. Smith blocked a PAT, which was returned for a defensive extra worth two points by cornerback Zyon McCollum, who continued to play exceptionally well and recorded his first interception of the year on Bryce Young.

And so did Smith, who was aggressive in coverage, jumping a route to make a diving interception of his own – his first of the year. It’s not a stretch to say that since his arrival in 2024 that Smith has been just as productive as Winfield, the team’s $21 million man, has over the past three seasons. And without a huge salary (yet). Smith has been an incredible bargain and an incredible player for Tampa Bay’s secondary.

Matt Matera: Yaya Diaby Brought The House Down With 3 Sacks

I’ve been very critical of Bucs outside linebacker Yaya Diaby for his lack of production during a contract year while also coinciding with the rise of David Walker despite his lack of snaps. Diaby shut up the haters in Sunday’s big win by putting up a hat trick of sacks for his first three sacks of the season. He deserves tons of credit for his performance.

Bucs OLB Yaya Diaby – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

Diaby has always had a relentless effort in his play, which is why he makes a good amount of tackles for loss – and he leads the team with six this year. But ultimately the edge rusher position is judged by sacks, and with everyone else around him producing, Diaby was standing out a lot more due to the fact that he wasn’t getting home.

That all went to the wayside on Sunday as Diaby found his way into the backfield often, constantly pressuring Bryce Young to alter throws or take him down on the play. If he can keep this going consistently, Tampa Bay’s defense will be even more of a force to be reckoned with.

Adam Slivon: Zyon McCollum Made His Presence Felt Throughout Week 7

Sunday’s 43-13 Bucs win over the Panthers means there are plenty of players deserving of getting a game ball. Who caught my eye as someone worthy of such an honor is cornerback Zyon McCollum. McCollum made a positive impact on defense, notably neutralizing Tetairoa McMillan. McMillan was held to just four catches for 40 yards and was the latest wideout McCollum gave fits.

Bucs CB Zyon McCollum – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

The fifth-year cornerback then made two splash plays in the second quarter. After Tykee Smith blocked an extra point, McCollum was the first to hustle to pick it up and run it back for an extra two points. In a game where Tampa Bay’s defense could do no wrong, he intercepted Bryce Young and returned it 18 yards to give the offense a short field.

Very quickly, McCollum has flipped the narrative and decision to give him a three-year, $48 million deal. He has given the Bucs their money’s worth this season and was one of a handful of defenders who balled out in Carolina. As such, I’d give the game ball.

Bailey Adams: Bucky Irving Set The Tone And Consistently Delivered

In a 30-point win, there are bound to be plenty of deserving candidates when it comes time to award the game ball. But as many impactful plays as there were from the defense and even on special teams, I can’t give my game ball to anyone other than the engine that drove this dominant win. That was third-year running back Bucky Irving, who ran for 106 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries, averaging a healthy 4.4 yards per carry.

Tampa Bay clearly came in with a run-heavy game plan against Carolina and its 27th-ranked run defense, and for that game plan to work, it was going to have to be a big Bucky Irving day. With help from the big guys up front as well as his tight ends and receivers, No. 7 made this thing go. And it started right away. Todd Bowles took the football first for a change, and Irving paid that decision off in a big way.

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

The Bucs’ 14-play, 70-yard drive to open the game took 7:38 off the clock and ended in a 7-0 lead, and Irving was the key reason why. He touched the ball 11 times on that drive, gained 51 of the 70 yards the offense covered and punched the ball into the end zone from four yards out to give the visitors an early lead. That helped set the tone in a must-win game, and Irving and the run game only continued to deliver from there.

Tampa Bay ran for 258 yards on the day and was led by Irving and his 106-yard performance. That was the 24-year-old’s second 100-yard performance in three weeks, and while it’s a small sample size, it’s impossible to ignore the fact that in the Bucs’ two wins this season, Irving has gone over 100 yards in both.

Irving is well on his way to his second career 1,000-yard rushing season, and if he can continue to produce the way he has been, this won’t be the last victory he plays a large part in. And it won’t be the last game ball he earns in his third NFL season.

Josh Queipo: Bucs Coaches Get My Game Ball

I’m giving this game ball to the coaches. Todd Bowles, who is Tampa Bay’s defensive play-caller, threw a changeup, using considerably more two-high looks, including a huge leniency on Quarters coverages against the Panthers. The results? Five sacks and two interceptions, plus plenty of pressure and pass breakups. The Bucs defense played in control. Tackles were made, not missed, and they shut down a previously dominant Carolina offense.

On the other side of the ball, offensive coordinator Zac Robinson was in his bag with all sorts of varied run calls. He used, gap, power, lead, trap, counter, inside and outside zone with plenty of eye-candy and change-ups of his own. See below.

And for the first time all season it looked like the players were executing the details well. This was a well-coached squad (for one game!). This was a well-designed game plan (for one game!). This was a total victory worthy of a game ball for the Buccaneers coaching staff.

Nick Geddes: Ben Chukwuma Stepped Up In A Big Way For Tampa Bay

Admittedly, I could give my game ball for the Bucs’ blowout win over the Panthers to the entire offensive line. The five men up front were essential in the Bucs putting up their best offensive showing of the 2026 season, dominating Carolina’s front seven at every turn. You rarely see physical domination like that at the NFL level, but I wanted to mention Ben Chukwuma by himself.

Chukwuma got the start at right tackle in place of the injured Luke Goedeke, a tall task given the level of play Goedeke has been at over the past few seasons. Chukwuma not only filled in admirably but stood out in every way for Tampa Bay. He had a phenomenal showing and not once did he look like a weak link.

Bucs OT Ben Chukwuma – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

For an undrafted rookie in just his second year with hardly any ball under his belt, that’s pretty encouraging to see. Right now, you can easily make an argument for Chukwuma to be one of the best backup offensive tackles in the league. Todd Bowles took it a step further Monday, saying that Chukwuma was outstanding Sunday and has a “huge” future in the NFL as a full-time starter.

Bowles is spot-on with his analysis of Chukwuma. And the same way we give out game balls to backup quarterbacks leading their team to a win, that’s what I’m doing here with Chukwuma, who earned it with his play.