The game went much more smoothly for Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Dirk Shadd/Tampa Bay Times/TNS)
TAMPA, Fla. _ The Bucs built an early three-touchdown lead, then pulled away late to beat the Carolina Panthers 31-17 in their home opener Sunday at Raymond James Stadium.
Tom Brady connected with Mike Evans seven times for 104 yards and a 23-yard touchdown. Brady completed 23 of 35 passes for 217 yards, including a 36-yard flea flicker to Justin Watson.
Jordan Whitehead intercepted a pass and stopped a fake punt attempt, Carlton Davis had an interception and Jason Pierre-Paul and Lavonte Davis recovered fumbles to lead the Bucs defense.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) fumbles the ball under pressure from Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (31), Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Lavonte David (54), and Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (90), who eventually recovers the ball during the first quarter on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Douglas R. Clifford/Tampa Bay Times/TNS)
Behind 21-0 at halftime, the Panthers closed the gap to 21-14 thanks to a pair of Christian McCaffrey touchdown runs. But the Bucs defense tightened up, and Leonard Fournette's 46-yard touchdown run _ his second of the game _ put the game away in the closing minutes.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) fumbles the ball under pressure from Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (31), Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Lavonte David (54), and Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (90), who eventually recovers the ball during the first quarter on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Douglas R. Clifford/Tampa Bay Times/TNS)Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette (28) eludes Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Tahir Whitehead (52) on a rush for a touchdown during the fourth quarter on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Douglas R. Clifford/Tampa Bay Times/TNS)
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