Ryan Fitzgerald’s 48-yard field goal with 2:20 remaining broke a tie and Carolina’s Lathan Ransom intercepted a pass on Tampa Bay’s next possession as the Panthers beat the Buccaneers 23-20 in a critical NFC South showdown Sunday afternoon in Charlotte.
Bryce Young threw for two touchdowns and 191 yards for the Panthers. Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield threw for a touchdown and 145 yards, but the Buccaneers lost for the sixth time in their last seven games.
The outcome gives the Panthers (8-7) a one-game lead on Tampa Bay (7-8) atop the division with two games remaining.
The teams will meet in two weeks to end the regular season. Before then, the Panthers could clinch the division if they beat Seattle at home next week and if Tampa Bay loses to Miami.
The Panthers held Tampa Bay to 296 yards of total offense, with 53 of those yards coming on the last drive before Mayfield was picked off in Carolina territory with 42 seconds left.
Bucky Irving rushed for 71 yards for the Buccaneers. Carolina had 101 rushing yards with no player reaching the 30-yard mark.
Tampa Bay went 66 yards on 14 plays for a go-ahead touchdown to begin the second half. Sean Tucker ran in from 1 yard out.
Carolina regained the lead on Ja’Tavion Sanders’ 6-yard reception from Young with eight seconds to play in the third quarter.
The score was even at 20-20 after Chase McLaughlin’s 50-yard field goal with 11:24 left in the fourth quarter.
The Buccaneers were in good shape until late in the first half, but the Panthers went ahead seven seconds before the break on Young’s 22-yard pass to Tetairoa McMillan, who was in single coverage in the end zone.
The Panthers scored at the end of the game’s first possession on Fitzgerald’s 27-yard field goal.
The Buccaneers responded with a touchdown drive, scoring on Mayfield’s 1-yard pass to Mike Evans.
Tampa Bay extended the lead to 10-3 on McLaughlin’s 23-yard field goal before the Panthers scored 10 points in the final 2:06 of the first half, beginning with Fitzgerald’s 41-yard field goal.
