Bucs rout Panthers 43-13; Sherwood Park's Chuba Hubbard gets 33 rushing yards
Tampa Bay forced four turnovers and dominated on the ground as Baker Mayfield made his return from a thumb injury in a lopsided NFC South matchup.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Carolina Panthers 43-13 on Sunday in Charlotte, with running back Bucky Irving rushing for 106 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Baker Mayfield made his return after missing three games with a dislocated right thumb, throwing for just 64 yards on 11 attempts while wearing a protective glove, but Tampa Bay's running game, defense and special teams carried the win.
The Bucs piled up 258 rushing yards, including a 46-yard touchdown run from Sean Tucker. Carolina quarterback Bryce Young was intercepted twice and lost a fumble, with Al-Quadin Muhammad's strip-sack returned 32 yards for a touchdown by Calijah Kancey. Tampa Bay also blocked an extra point and returned it for two points, helping build a 33-6 halftime lead.
Chuba Hubbard, a Carolina running back from Sherwood Park, Alta., finished with 33 rushing yards on seven carries and four catches for 27 yards in the loss. The Panthers also honoured former linebacker Luke Kuechly at halftime, presenting him with his Pro Football Hall of Fame ring.
Carolina right tackle Taylor Moton, who had missed the season's first four games with blood clots in his lung, was carted off in the third quarter with a left ankle injury. Tampa Bay improves to 2-5 and will host Atlanta next Sunday, while Carolina falls to 3-3 ahead of a Thursday night game at Green Bay.
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