Rapid Reaction:


The Buccaneers won the toss and elected to defer to begin the game. It meant the Bucs' defense was up first as quarterback Sam Darnold took the field for the Panthers. Carolina would span the field on a 14-play drive that ended in a two-yard touchdown pass from Darnold to Chuba Hubbard that put the Panthers up 7-0 with 7:22 left in the first quarter.
The Bucs wouldn't be able to answer as quarterback Tom Brady was sacked on first down, putting Tampa Bay behind the chains. They'd end up punting their first possession away and the Panthers took back over at their own 25.