The Tampa Bay Buccaneers got their first win of 2020 when they knocked off the Carolina Panthers 31-17 on Sunday afternoon at Raymond James Stadium.
The game started well for the Buccaneers, as Ronald Jones capped off a 10-play, 78 yard drive with a seven yard touchdown with 5:42 to go in the first quarter that gave Tampa Bay a 7-0 lead. After the Bucs defense then forced a turnover, Tom Brady hit Mike Evans with 4:38 to go that gave Tampa Bay a 14-0 lead. The Buccaneers added a touchdown in the second quarter from Leonard Fournette that gave Tampa Bay a 21-0 lead going into halftime.
The second half saw Christian McCaffrey pull the Panthers back into this game. After scoring with 8:36 to to go in the third quarter, he added a second touchdown in the opening moments of the fourth quarter to pull Carolina within 21-14. The Buccaneers got some distance when Ryan Succop hit a 33 yard field goal with 6:13 to go in the game that gave Tampa Bay a 24-14 lead.
Trailing by ten late, the Panthers elected a field goal to pull within seven with 1:57 to go. They then attempted an on-side kick attempt, which would be recovered by Rob Gonkowski. Moments later Leonard Fournette broke loose a 46-yard run that gave Tampa Bay the ten point lead back and clinched the win for the Buccaneers by a score of 31-17.
The Buccaneers now head on the road next weekend when they go to Denver to meet the Broncos next Sunday. Kickoff from Denver is scheduled for 4:25 PM Sunday afternoon.