Irving rushes for 217 yards, 4 TDs as Buccaneers end Panthers’ unbeaten start

Charlotte, NC - Bucky Irving rushed for 217 yards and four touchdowns, Baker Mayfield completed 25 of 28 passes and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers handed the Carolina Panthers their first loss of the season with a 45-38 victory in Week 7.

Carolina entered the game 5-0 and riding a five-game winning streak, but Tampa Bay emerged from the high-scoring matchup with 522 offensive yards. The Panthers fell to 5-1 after finishing with 359 offensive yards.

Irving delivered the most productive rushing performance of the game, carrying 22 times and averaging nearly 10 yards per attempt. His 72-yard run was the game's longest, and his four rushing touchdowns highlighted a Tampa Bay ground game that finished with 216 yards. Carolina totaled 79 rushing yards.

"Four touchdowns is something I'm proud of, but the win is what gives those numbers meaning," Irving said. "I wanted to be productive every time I got the ball, and we were able to put together a big offensive day."

Mayfield was nearly as efficient through the air. He threw for a game-high 314 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, finishing with a 122.3 passer rating. Tampa Bay recorded 23 first downs and converted 5 of 8 third-down attempts.

Emeka Egbuka caught seven passes for a team-high 88 yards and a touchdown, while Chris Godwin Jr added six receptions for 73 yards and a score. The two receivers accounted for Mayfield's touchdown passes and gave Tampa Bay multiple productive options in the passing game.

"We were accurate and efficient, and we had a lot of guys contribute," Mayfield said. "Bucky's production was incredible, and the receivers consistently gave us something in the passing game. There's still the interception that I'd like back, but scoring 45 and getting the win is the bottom line."

The Buccaneers finished with a 163-yard advantage in offensive production and were better on third down. Their seven red-zone trips produced three touchdowns and one field goal, while Carolina recorded two touchdowns and two field goals across six trips inside the 20.

Bryce Young and the Panthers' passing game still generated enough production to keep the final margin to seven points. Young completed 25 of 37 passes for 302 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, earning a 99.1 passer rating. His 31-yard completion was the longest of the game.

Tetairoa McMillan led all receivers with 134 yards on nine catches and scored a touchdown. Jalen Coker contributed six receptions for 74 yards and another touchdown, giving Young two productive targets in a Carolina passing attack that finished with 280 team passing yards.

"There are things we did well, especially throwing the football, but we didn't come away with the result," Young said. "Our first loss doesn't erase what we've done, but it gives us a clear picture of where we need to improve."

Carolina received 71 rushing yards and a touchdown from Chuba Hubbard, including a 28-yard run. That accounted for most of the Panthers' production on the ground, while Irving alone surpassed Carolina's full offensive rushing total by 138 yards.

The defenses each recorded an interception, but Tampa Bay held a sizable advantage in sacks. The Buccaneers produced four, compared with one by the Panthers. Carolina converted 3 of 9 third downs and went 1-for-1 on fourth down.

McMillan's game-high receiving total provided a bright spot in the Panthers' first defeat.

"You want your production to come with a win, so it's frustrating," McMillan said. "We threw the ball well and had several guys involved, but 5-1 means we have to respond to losing for the first time."

For Tampa Bay, the result paired an exceptionally accurate passing performance with 216 rushing yards and seven red-zone possessions. For Carolina, the defeat ended both its undefeated start and its five-game winning streak.

Up Next

The Buccaneers return home in Week 8 to host the Atlanta Falcons, while the Panthers will try to rebound on the road against the Green Bay Packers.