After breaking a four-game losing streak with a dominant win last week against the 49ers, the Buccaneers welcomed the Carolina Panthers to Raymond James Stadium on Sunday.
Lavonte David returned from injury, but Tampa Bay was left short-handed in the secondary. Brent Grimes, Carlton Davis and M.J. Stewart were all inactive, essentially leaving the defense to its fifth, sixth and seventh corners. The Panthers won the coin toss, but decided not to test that banged-up secondary early by deferring to the second half.
The Bucs took advantage of receiving the opening kickoff by scoring on their opening possession.