LINDY'S POSTGAME REPORT

Panthers hang on for 42-28 win over Bucs

Dick Cox

November 05, 2018 at 9:45 am.

Nov 4, 2018; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey (22) carries the ball in the fourth quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium. Photo Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 4, 2018; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey (22) carries the ball in the fourth quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium. Photo Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

The Carolina Panthers got off to a fast start, scoring on five straight possessions, and scored a franchise record 35 points in the first half, but had to hang on in the second half to defeat the Tampa Bay Bucs, 42-28, at Bank of America Stadium.

The Panthers led 35-14 at the half, but the Bucs scored on two touchdown passes from Ryan Fitzpatrick to Adam Humphries to cut the lead to 35-28 to start the fourth quarter. Carolina came right back and scored a touchdown on their next series for the final points of the day.

Panther receiver Curtis Samuel ran for a 33‐yard touchdown on his lone carry of the game. He added a 19-yard receiving touchdown for the first multi‐touchdown game of his career. Samuel’s touchdown run came on a double reverse as Carolina reached into their bag of tricks.

Carolina running back Christian McCaffrey had 79 yards on the ground and 78 yards through the air on 22 total touches. He scored two rushing touchdowns, the most in a game in his career. McCaffrey’s highlight play of the day came when quarterback Cam Newton faked a handoff to McCaffrey, then faked an option pitch to receiver DJ Moore before quickly turning back and hitting McCaffrey on a screen pass. As McCaffrey reached the line of scrimmage, he hurdled over cornerback Carlton Davis III and then raced down the sideline for 32 yards down to the Tampa 39 setting up the Panthers second touchdown. Newton finished at 19‐of‐25 throwing for 247 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. He added 33 rushing yards on 11 attempts.

Newton stated, “Well, you know when it’s clicking, it’s clicking. It was a tale of the different quarters. First quarter, we came out, first early three‐and‐out. Then we started getting traction. We finished strong as far as the first half is concerned, but we have to be better in the third quarter. Knowing  that we have to have better habits moving forward. We know that coach mentioned it. I’ve mentioned it. Everybody really notices it, but as far as the talent level on this team, it’s extremely scary that we possess a lot of different good match-ups in our favor.”

Tampa Bay quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick finished the game 24-40-243 yards passing and four touchdown passes. He also threw two interceptions. Humphries was the Bucs leading receiver with eight catches for 82 yards and two touchdowns.

The Panthers are now 6-2 and have won three games in a row, while the Bucs fall to 3-5 on the season.

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