In a must‑win NFC South matchup on Sunday, the Carolina Panthers edged out the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23‑20 in Charlotte to take the division lead. Panthers quarterback Bryce Young delivered a gutsy performance, throwing for 191 yards and two touchdowns to key playmakers Tetairoa McMillan and Ja’Tavion Sanders. Carolina’s defense came up big in the final minute when Lathan Ransom stepped in front of a Baker Mayfield pass with just 42 seconds remaining, sealing the win.
The scoring seesawed throughout the afternoon. After trading early scores, the Panthers took a 13‑10 lead into halftime and regained it in the third quarter. Tampa Bay briefly pulled ahead again, but Carolina responded with a clutch 48‑yard field goal from Ryan Fitzgerald late in the fourth quarter.
Mayfield and Mike Evans connected for a early touchdown, and running back Sean Tucker added a rushing score for Tampa Bay, but it wasn’t enough to keep the Buccaneers from dropping their third consecutive contest. Carolina’s victory puts them atop the NFC South, where they now control their own destiny for the division crown heading into Week 17.