The Carolina Panthers started clearing their deck for the 2023 season this week, shipping away running back Christian McCaffrey and wide receiver Robbie Anderson. But interim head coach Steve Wilks and his guys didn’t get the memo.
Here’s everything we know from Sunday’s shocking Week 7 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Final score: Panthers 21, Buccaneers 3
Keys to the game
- The Panthers defense denied Tom Brady and his offense all afternoon. Tampa averaged only 4.9 yards per play and converted on just two of their 12 third-down tries and one of their three fourth-down tries.
- Carolina’s ground game, in their first outing without Christian McCaffrey on the roster, was incredibly effective. Running backs D’Onta Foreman and Chuba Hubbard ran for a combined 181 yards on 24 attempts. They led a huge 77-yard touchdown drive in the third quarter, one that gave the Panthers a 14-0 lead with 15 minutes left in the game.
- Quarterback PJ Walker stayed in control throughout his fourth career start. Coming off an outing where he completed zero passes beyond the line of scrimmage, Walker connected on 16 of his 22 throws for 177 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.
It was over when . . .
Fittingly enough, it was a stand from the Panthers defense that effectively denied Brady and the Bucs of the win.
Following a 29-yard touchdown reception by Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble, Tampa Bay started their comeback try down 21-3 with just under 10 minutes remaining. But on the fifth play of that drive, Brady missed tight end Cade Otton on a fourth-and-7 and turned the ball back over to Carolina at the 7:10 mark of the fourth quarter.
Players of the game
- QB PJ Walker: 16-of-22, 177 yards, two touchdowns
- RBs D’Onta Foreman and Chuba Hubbard: 24 carries, 181 yards, touchdown
- DE Brian Burns: five tackles, 1.0 sack
What's next?
These 2-5 Panthers will travel to take on the 3-4 Atlanta Falcons in Week 8.
