Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers game recap: Everything we know

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Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers game recap: Everything we know

Anthony Rizzuti · Panthers Wire

Sun, Jan 1, 2023 ·

2 min read

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The fighting Carolina Panthers have been one heck of a story under interim head coach Steve Wilks. But that story won't extend into the playoffs.

Here's everything we know from Week 17's loss to newly-crowned NFC South champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers .

Final score: Buccaneers 30, Panthers 24

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Keys to the game

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After leading by 11 points heading into final 15 minutes of play, the Panthers allowed a 20-point fourth quarter to the Buccaneers. That effort was, of course, led by quarterback Tom Brady —who completed 34 of his 45 throws for a season-high 432 yards and three touchdowns.
Each of those three touchdowns found the hands of wideout Mike Evans , who exploded for 207 yards on 10 total grabs. Those scores went for 63 yards, 57 yards and 30 yards.
That fourth-quarter comeback was also aided by the turnover, something Carolina steered away from heading into this afternoon. Quarterback Sam Darnold tossed his first interception of the season and lost a pair of fumbles in the second half.

It was over when . . .

Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Down 24-21 with under three minutes left, the Panthers were able to force a punt following a sack of Brady. The punt, along with an ensuing 10-yard holding penalty on cornerback T.J. Carrie , then set Carolina up at their own 13-yard line.

The comeback drive, however, never even got started—as Darnold was stripped by linebacker Anthony Nelson . Defensive tackle Vita Vea recovered the ball at the 6-yard line, giving way to a 1-yard touchdown sneak by Brady just two plays later.