The Carolina Panthers managed just 50 yards, didn’t convert a third down and lost the time of possession battle by 13 minutes in the first half.
And yet, they only trailed 13-7 – thanks to an interception by Christian Rozeboom that gave the Panthers a short field and set up a Bryce Young-to-Tommy Tremble 8-yard touchdown.
Young was intercepted on the Panthers’ next possession when Jacob Parrish jumped in front of an out route to Tetairoa McMillan. The Bucs settled for a field goal after the take away as offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard stayed conservative and kept the ball on the ground in wet conditions at Raymond James Stadium.
The Panthers’ run game was non-existent in the rain and facing a Bucs’ defense that is ranked seventh vs. the run. Carolina had seven carries for 5 yards in the first half. Rico Dowdle, who entered the game needing 7 scrimmage yards to hit a $1 million, finished the half with 6 yards on five carries. He did not catch a pass.