It was a quiet start in Tampa Bay, with both defenses forcing three and outs to open the game.
The Carolina Panthers would strike first with 1:34 left in the first quarter on a one-yard touchdown run by running back Jonathan Stewart. It didn’t come easy as the drive spanned 82 yards on 17 plays.
As for the Buccaneers, quarterback Jameis Winston wasted no time spreading the ball around, connecting with seven different receivers in the first half. Unfortunately, the Bucs were burned by a few penalties that stalled their offensive efforts.
On what seemed like a promising drive in the second quarter, Winston fumbled the ball at the Carolina 33-yard line.