TAMPA - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers dismantled the Carolina Panthers in Week 7, piling up 258 rushing yards, five-plus sacks, four takeaways and a +27 first-half point margin that ranks as the fifth-highest in franchise history.
The 33 first-half points Tampa Bay put on the board are the third-most in franchise history, trailing only the 35 scored against Chicago on Oct. 24, 2021, and the 34 scored at Detroit on Dec. 26, 2020. It was also the first time since Oct. 26, 2025, at New Orleans that the Buccaneers defense had recorded 5.0-plus sacks and four-or-more takeaways in the same game.
Running back Bucky Irving led the ground attack with 106 rushing yards and two touchdowns, crossing the 3,000 career scrimmage yards milestone in the process. Irving became the 22nd player and 12th running back to reach that mark in Tampa Bay franchise history. Kenny Gainwell added 88 yards on the ground, and Sean Tucker contributed a 46-yard touchdown run.
Defensively, linebacker Yaya Diaby sacked Panthers quarterback Bryce Young three times, giving Diaby his third career game with 2.0-plus sacks. The Buccaneers also produced one of the rarer plays in the NFL when safety Tykee Smith blocked Carolina’s extra point attempt and cornerback Zyon McCollum returned it for a defensive two-point conversion. Tampa Bay’s previous PAT block had come from Will Gholston against Carolina in 2017.