Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers Match Player Stats On Dec 24, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Dec 24, 2017

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Cam Newton picked up his own bobbled snap and ran for a 2-yard touchdown with 35 seconds left, lifting the Carolina Panthers to a playoff-clinching, 22-19 victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday afternoon at Bank of America Stadium.

Carolina converted a fourth down on the play prior to the touchdown, needing 1 yard after the Buccaneers jumped offside. Jonathan Stewart ran 1 yard, setting up Newton's game-winning run. It was a 10-play, 59-yard drive.

The Panthers (11-4) remain tied with the New Orleans Saints for first place in the NFC South. Carolina would hold a wild-card spot in the playoffs unless it wins next week at Atlanta while the Saints lose at Tampa Bay.

Damiere Byrd's 103-yard kickoff return was one of the highlights for the Panthers.

Newton completed 16 of 25 passes for 160 yards with one interception. He also rushed for a team-high 52 yards on 14 carries.

Tampa Bay quarterback Jameis Winston threw for 367 yards and one touchdown, completing 21 of 27 passes without an interception.

Winston's third fumble came on the first snap after Carolina's go-ahead touchdown. Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers recovered to seal the win.

The Buccaneers (4-11) went ahead 16-12 on Winston's 18-yard touchdown pass to Bobo Wilson on their first possession of the second half.

Carolina closed within 16-15 on Graham Gano's 30-yard field goal on a drive extended by pass interference on a fake punt.

Bucs kicker Patrick Murray's fourth field goal of the game came from 26 yards out on the first play of the fourth quarter, extending Tampa Bay's lead to 19-15.

Murray missed wide right from 51 yards out at the three-minute mark.

The Panthers led 12-9 at halftime despite the Buccaneers holding a huge statistical edge.

Tampa Bay built a 225-78 advantage in total offense in the first half. The Buccaneers ended the half with Murray's 21-yard field goal.

Byrd's kickoff return, which was the longest in franchise history, came after the Buccaneers briefly had momentum. The extra-point kick was blocked by William Gholston.

Tampa Bay had a 70-yard pass play from Winston to Chris Godwin, but it resulted in only Murray's 41-yard field goal to tie the score at 6-6 with 2:58 left in the first half.

The teams each had a first-quarter field goal. Gano converted from 25 yards out after a Winston fumble was recovered and returned to the Tampa Bay 33-yard line.

Murray's 31-yarder came at the end of a 63-yard drive.

The Buccaneers reached the Carolina 18 early in the second quarter before Winston's fumble.

Newton was shaken up and exited for one play following a short second-down keeper that took the ball to the Tampa Bay 10 with 9:05 remaining in the second quarter.

Derek Anderson replaced Newton, throwing an incompletion before Gano's 28-yard field goal gave the Panthers a 6-3 lead.

Evans finished with 107 receiving yards on six catches.

NOTES: Carolina was without LB Thomas Davis, who served an NFL suspension for a hit last week against Green Bay WR Davante Adams. ... LB Shaq Thompson was back for Carolina after a two-game absence caused by a foot injury. ... Panthers WR Russell Shepard, who left last week's game with a shoulder injury, was on the inactive list. ... RG Evan Smith drew the start for Tampa Bay, filling the spot held by OL J.R. Sweezy, who was one of five Buccaneers to go on injured reserve during the past week. ... The Panthers won 17-3 against Tampa Bay in the first meeting of the season in October. ... Carolina goes to Atlanta for the regular-season finale next week. ... The Buccaneers finish the season next week at home against New Orleans.