With an average game from Josh Freeman, the Buccaneers were destroyed by the Panthers, 48-16, at Bank of America Stadium.
Freeman accounted for two touchdown (1 pass, 1 rush) on 28 of 38 passing for 274 yards, one pick and one fumble. Cam Newton ended up going 12 of 17 with 171 yards passing, four touchdowns (3 pass, 1 rush) and no interceptions for the Panthers.
Mossis Madu ran for 20 yards on four carries in addition to four receptions for 42 yards. Kellen Winslow snagged six balls for 63 yards and one fumble.
The Tampa Bay defense struggled against the running game, but was able to slow down the pass, allowing 270 yards rushing and 163 passing. They brought down Newton for one sack.
Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams was impressive, racking up 66 yards rushing, 18 receiving and two touchdowns. After Newton, he was the top performer for Carolina. Running back Jonathan Stewart also had a good game with 88 rushing yards, 11 receiving and one touchdown.
The Buccaneers travel to Atlanta next week to meet the Falcons (9-5) while the Panthers visit New Orleans to take on the Saints (11-3).
| Buccaneers Passing Leaders |
|---|
| Grade | Name | Comp | Att | Yds | TDs | Int |
| C+ | 79 | J. Freeman | 28 | 38 | 258 | 1 | 1 |
| Panthers Passing Leaders |
|---|
| Grade | Name | Comp | Att | Yds | TDs | Int |
| A+ | 100 | C. Newton | 12 | 17 | 163 | 3 | 0 |
| Buccaneers Rushing Leaders |
|---|
| Grade | Name | P | Att | Yds | YdsA | TDs |
| C | 75 | K. Lumpkin | RB | 7 | 24 | 3.4 | 0 |
| C+ | 80 | M. Madu | RB | 4 | 20 | 5.0 | 0 |
| - | - | L. Blount | RB | 2 | 11 | 5.5 | 0 |
| Panthers Rushing Leaders |
|---|
| Grade | Name | P | Att | Yds | YdsA | TDs |
| A | 95 | J. Stewart | RB | 7 | 88 | 12.6 | 0 |
| A | 95 | D. Williams | RB | 7 | 66 | 9.4 | 2 |
| A+ | 100 | C. Newton | QB | 6 | 65 | 10.8 | 1 |
| Buccaneers Receiving Leaders |
|---|
| Grade | Name | P | Rec | Yds | YdsA | TDs |
| B | 84 | K. Winslow | TE | 6 | 63 | 10.5 | 0 |
| C- | 71 | S. Stroughter | WR | 4 | 52 | 13.0 | 0 |
| C+ | 80 | M. Madu | RB | 4 | 42 | 10.5 | 0 |
| Panthers Receiving Leaders |
|---|
| Grade | Name | P | Rec | Yds | YdsA | TDs |
| A | 93 | B. LaFell | WR | 3 | 103 | 34.3 | 1 |
| A | 95 | D. Williams | RB | 2 | 18 | 9.0 | 0 |
| C+ | 80 | J. Shockey | TE | 2 | 14 | 7.0 | 1 |
