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The Carolina Panthers took an important step toward ending their playoff drought with a big 23-20 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.
Panthers kicker Ryan Fitzgerald scored the go-ahead 48-yard field goal with 2:20 left in the game. Panthers safety Lathan Ransom then intercepted a Baker Mayfield pass to seal the victory. Carolina’s gutsy victory vaulted them to the top of the NFC South division with two weeks left in the season.
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Carolina Panthers safety Lathan Ransom celebrates after an interception against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)
Bryce Young stepped up for the Panthers when they needed him most.
He threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Tetairoa McMillan just before halftime. The Panthers had a three-point lead going into the locker room. In the third quarter, Young found Ja’Tavion Sanders for a 6-yard score to go up three points again.
The Buccaneers tied the game with 11:24 left in the fourth quarter on a 50-yard Chase McLaughlin field goal. But it seemed like the Panthers had an answer for almost everything Tampa Bay threw at them.
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Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan celebrates after scoring against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Carolina’s defense limited Mayfield to just 145 passing yards, among the lowest total he has scored this season. He had a touchdown pass to Mike Evans, but the crucial interception to Ransom was the final setback of the game.
Young was 21 of 32 with 191 passing yards and two touchdown passes. He didn’t deliver the ball. McMillan led the team with six receptions for 73 yards.
Carolina defenders Nick Scott and Christian Rozeboom each had 10 tackles. Rozeboom and Derrick Brown each had one sack.
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The Panthers aren’t in the playoffs yet and could get help with a Week 17 win and a Buccaneers loss. The two teams will meet once again in Week 18. Carolina hasn’t been to the playoffs since 2017 and hasn’t won a playoff game since 2015.
