The Carolina Panthers beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-20 at Bank of America Stadium on December 21, 2025, a late 48‑yard field goal by rookie kicker Ryan Fitzgerald and a final interception by rookie safety Lathan Ransom sealing a pivotal NFC South victory. Bryce Young completed 21 of 32 passes for 191 yards and two touchdowns, while Tampa Bay’s Baker Mayfield finished 18 of 26 for 145 yards and one touchdown as the Buccaneers fell to 7-8, and the Panthers improved to 8-7.
Game summary
Carolina opened the scoring with a field goal, and both teams traded punches in a low‑tempo, defensively tilted contest. Tetairoa McMillan caught a 22‑yard touchdown as time expired in the first half to give Carolina a 13-10 halftime lead. Tampa Bay responded in the third quarter when Sean Tucker punched in a one‑yard rushing touchdown to put the visitors ahead, but a third‑quarter answer from Bryce Young to Ja'Tavion Sanders swung momentum back to Carolina.
With the game tied 20-20 midway through the fourth quarter, the Panthers engineered a late drive that stalled inside the red zone, setting up Fitzgerald’s 48‑yard field goal with 2:20 remaining. A costly special teams sequence on the ensuing kickoff, pushed by a personal foul, had the Buccaneers starting their final possession at their own 10. Baker Mayfield scrambled for 26 yards on the drive and moved the offense into scoring range, but a miscommunication between Mayfield and Mike Evans resulted in the game‑sealing interception by Lathan Ransom with 42 seconds left.
"We’ve got to finish with seven points in the red zone instead of three. Same story, different day," said the Buccaneers’ quarterback after the loss, reflecting frustration that resonated across the Tampa Bay sideline.
Scoring summary (selected)
```text
1st Quarter
CAR — FG Ryan Fitzgerald 27 yards (CAR 3-0)
TB — TD Mike Evans 1 yd pass from Baker Mayfield (TB 7-3)
2nd Quarter
TB — FG Chase McLaughlin 23 yards (TB 10-3)
CAR — TD Tetairoa McMillan 22 yd pass from Bryce Young (CAR 13-10)
3rd Quarter
TB — TD Sean Tucker 1 yd run (TB 17-13)
CAR — TD Ja'Tavion Sanders 6 yd pass from Bryce Young (CAR 20-17)
4th Quarter
TB — FG Chase McLaughlin 50 yards (tie 20-20)
CAR — FG Ryan Fitzgerald 48 yards (CAR 23-20)
Final — CAR 23, TB 20
```
Key statistics and moments
Category | Carolina Panthers | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
|---|---|---|
Final score | 23 | 20 |
Total yards | 275 | 356 |
Passing yards (lead) | Bryce Young, 191 | Baker Mayfield, 145 |
Leading rusher | Chuba Hubbard / Bucky Irving, modest totals | Bucky Irving 71 yards |
Turnovers | 1 (INT by Lathan Ransom) | 1 (INT) |
Penalties | Moderate for Carolina | 8 penalties, costly at key moments |
- Ryan Fitzgerald, the rookie kicker, provided the decisive points with a 48‑yard field goal in the fourth quarter.
- Lathan Ransom, also a rookie, made the signature defensive play with the late interception.
- The Buccaneers' offense moved the ball at times, but penalties and situational miscues left points on the field and ultimately cost Tampa Bay.
Injuries, personnel notes and records
- Carolina started without left tackle Ickey Ekwonu, who was ruled out with a knee issue.
- Tampa Bay lost linebacker Anthony Nelson to a knee-related exit in the first half.
- Kicker Chase McLaughlin made a 50‑yard field goal in the game, and team reporting highlighted his consistency from distance during the season.
Standings and playoff implications
The result gave Carolina a one‑game edge in the NFC South, moving the Panthers to 8-7 and dropping Tampa Bay to 7-8, with two regular‑season games remaining. For Carolina, the win kept control of its own destiny in the division, with a home matchup against Seattle on the following weekend offering a chance to move closer to a playoff berth. Tampa Bay faces an uphill climb, needing to win out and get help to return to the postseason. The two clubs also meet again in Week 18, making the finale potentially decisive for the division title.
Coaches, reactions and differing perspectives
- From the Carolina locker room, praise centered on situational defense and clutch kicking, two areas often decisive in close games. Team staff highlighted the maturity of their rookie contributors and the balanced approach that limited Tampa Bay’s big plays.
- Tampa Bay’s coaching staff acknowledged penalties and miscommunication on the final drive as the difference. The narrative from Tampa Bay emphasized missed opportunities in the red zone, and a need to clean up execution in high leverage moments.
- Neutral analysts noted the game as emblematic of each club’s season: Carolina finding meaningful wins at critical times, and Tampa Bay struggling to convert early season promise into consistency as key games mount in December.
Historical context — rivalry and series outlook
The Buccaneers and Panthers have a history that dates to 1995, when the Panthers joined the league as an expansion franchise. The rivalry has been uneven at times, with both clubs enjoying stretches of dominance. Following this result, Carolina holds the edge in the all‑time series by a narrow margin. The matchup has often produced late‑season importance, and this season is no exception, as both teams remain in the mix for the division down the stretch.
What to watch next
- Carolina’s upcoming game at home against Seattle will test whether the Panthers can build on this momentum, and potentially clinch the division with favorable results.
- Tampa Bay heads to Miami, needing to arrest a slide that has seen them lose several close games in recent weeks. Fixing penalties and red zone efficiency will be priorities.
For fans and fantasy managers
- Bryce Young’s efficient two‑touchdown performance reinforced his value as a rising asset in fantasy leagues, particularly in matchups where his rushing is limited but the passing game can create opportunities.
- Tampa Bay skill players, including Mike Evans and rookie Emeka Egbuka, showed flashes that matter in PPR formats, but inconsistent scoring makes lineup decisions more challenging in the final weeks.
Bottom line
A tight, well‑played divisional game swung on a long field goal and a late turnover, giving the Carolina Panthers a signature win and a one‑game lead in the NFC South with two games to play. Tampa Bay’s loss underscored recurring execution issues, particularly penalties and situational communication, that have hampered the club’s December run. With the teams set to meet again in the season finale, the rivalry remains alive, and the final fortnight of the regular season will determine whether this Week 16 outcome is a turning point, or a single drama in a longer competitive story.