Highlights from Week 2 between the Buccaneers and Panthers

Whew. Was that a fun game, or what?

Tampa Bay jumped out to a 21-0 lead at halftime, but Carolina fought back and made it a one-score game in the fourth quarter.

But despite the tough fight, the Buccaneers were able to defeat the Panthers, 31-17, in order to climb to 1-1 on the season.

Let’s take a look at the game’s biggest plays.

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Jordan Whitehead picks off Teddy Bridgewater for Tampa Bay’s first turnover of 2020

Tampa Bay went three-and-out on its first drive. The Panthers were driving until Whitehead took advantage of a Bridgewater overthrow.

Ronald Jones II gets the Bucs on the board first

Tampa Bay takes advantage of the Carolina turnover as RoJo gets his first rushing touchdown of the season and puts the Bucs up 7-0.

Teddy Bridgewater fumbles for the first time since 2015

You read that right. Rookie safety Antoine Winfield Jr. not only sacks Bridgewater, but he also forces the quarterback’s first lost fumble since Week 14 of the 2015 season.

Tom Brady finds Mike Evans for the second time in as many games

This is on the first play of the drive after the second turnover. What a throw from Brady.

Ndamukong Suh gets his first sack of the season

The defense was feasting at this point.

The Bucs ain’t buyin’ the Panthers’ fake punt

I guess the Panthers were feeling the heat down 14-0. They tried to throw a fake punt at the Bucs, but Whitehead comes through with another big play and shuts it down.

Leonard Fournette puts the Bucs up by three scores

The Bucs’ big back caught a pass that brought the Bucs down to the goal line and finished things off on the next play.

Jason Pierre-Paul ends the half with a sack

The defense started things off with a big turnover and ended the first half with a big sack to end the Panthers’ drive. You couldn’t have scripted it better if you were a Bucs fan.

Brady’s third interception of the season

Quarterbacks throw interceptions in Bruce Arians’ offense, and it looks even Brady can’t avoid the trend. He throws his third pick of the season while targeting Rob Gronkowski and Donte Jackson runs it back into Tampa Bay territory.

The Panthers’ first touchdown of the day

A huge third down conversion from D.J. Moore helps Carolina takes advantage of the interception. Christian McCaffrey punches it in for his and the Panthers’ first score of the day.

Carolina’s second touchdown of the day

The refs overturned an incomplete pass and Moore made another big play to set up the Panthers’ and McCaffrey’s second touchdown of the day. The score didn’t come without a price, however, as McCaffrey was seen limping on the sideline after the play.

William Gholston responds with a sack

Panthers wideout Robbie Anderson had just hauled in a 39-yard reception and had his team on the Bucs’ side of the 50-yard line. Gholston had other plans in mind, however, as he burst through the line of scrimmage and took Bridgewater down for the sack.

Carlton Davis III makes a great interception

Ghoslton’s sack set up a 2nd-and-long which also set up this great play from Davis. He makes a great read and closes on the ball with authority while coming down with the pick.

This is the play of the game on defense — and possibly overall, as well.

Leonard Fournette seals the deal

The Panthers drove down the field and kicked a field goal to pull the game within one score. They tried the onside kick attempt, but failed. Fournette made them play immediately with a 46-yard touchdown run to seal the deal. The Bucs would go on to win, 31-17.

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What was YOUR favorite highlight from today’s game? Let us know in the comments below!