CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The shift to Todd Bowles’ aggressive defense continues to pay off for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who got an important divisional road win against the Carolina Panthers Thursday night, avoiding an 0-2 start for the first time since 2014.
In eight quarters of football, the Bucs’ defense has surrendered just one touchdown, including keeping the Panthers out of the end zone all night. The defense also weathered the loss of rookie linebacker Devin White, who suffered a left knee injury and did not return. Heading into Thursday’s game, the Bucs had allowed a touchdown in 36 straight games -- the fifth-longest active streak in the NFL, according to ESPN Statistics & Information.