Overview
- Rookie kicker Ryan Fitzgerald hit a 48-yard field goal with 2:20 remaining, and safety Lathan Ransom intercepted Baker Mayfield with about 40 seconds left to seal the win.
- Bryce Young completed 21 of 32 passes for 191 yards and two touchdowns, connecting with Tetairoa McMillan and Ja'Tavion Sanders for scores.
- Carolina improved to 8-7 and now leads the division, with a Week 18 rematch in Tampa Bay looming if the title is not clinched in Week 17.
- Tampa Bay fell to 7-8 with a third straight loss as Mayfield was held to 145 passing yards with one touchdown to Mike Evans and the late interception.
- Through 15 weeks the Buccaneers held the common-opponents tiebreaker, a factor only if the teams split the series and produce matching results in Week 17.