Buccaneers Fall, 38-10, to Panthers in Week 17

FILE – In this October 4, 2015, file photo, Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) talks to Tampa …

“I don’t want to dwell on that right now”, Newton said of the MVP talk. “I couldn’t throw left-handed, but I tried to mimic his style as much as possible”.

Newton ran for two touchdowns and passed for two more touchdowns for the NFC South champions. “You can see it. His confidence is growing with each game”, Norman said.

When asked before the season if he was thinking his team could have the type of year it did, coach Ron Rivera chuckled.

The Panthers were without running back Jonathan Stewart, who was out for the third straight week with a foot injury.

The Panthers lost nickel back Bene Benwikere last month and the secondary has struggled some without him, particularly on third down. Tillman was a starter and veteran presence in the secondary, so his loss would be a huge blow for Carolina. Bucs have a three-game losing streak, looking to avoid another double digit loss season. they had been 6-6 and in the playoff hunt.

The Panthers are also having a problem generating a pass rush from Charles Johnson and Jared Allen.

Jameis Winston has had a solid rookie year with 22 touchdown passes and five more rushing, helping Tampa match its victory total from the previous two seasons combined.

The Carolina Panthers were the last undefeated National Football League team remaining before their stunning Week 16 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, but you would think the sky is falling in North Carolina with the way some have reacted to that game.

But Atlanta was able to shut down Carolina’s running game last week and without Ginn, the homerun was absent from the Panthers’ passing attack as well. He now has 10 rushing touchdowns on the season and is one of six players this year with double digit rushing touchdowns.

EVANS TOSSED: Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans was tossed from the game in the final two minutes for arguing with officials. This means Stewart finishes the regular season 11 yards shy of 1,000 rushing yards for the season. “That’s tough duty”, Smith said.

Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis, who had one of two interceptions against Jameis Winston, was quick to point out there is still work to be done.

Rookie wide receiver Devin Funchess, who started in place of an injured Ted Ginn Jr., turned in a career game.

Tampa Bay opened the scoring with Connor Barth’s 39-yard field goal late in the first quarter.

With the win, the Panthers earned the No. 1 seed and will stay at home throughout the playoffs.

They grabbed the No. 1 seed for the first time in team history in part because of the contributions from some of their lesser-known players.

“We’ve got to fix the whys on this team”, Winston said. In all honesty, I think it will only make the Panthers stronger and hungrier to make a deep postseason run. We’re playing one of the best teams in football. I think, and other devices.

Newton was the first player picked in the 2011 NFL Draft.

The Buccaneer defense, however, failed to keep Carolina at bay, and Jake Delhomme swiftly led the Panthers to a game-winning touchdown with 1:11 left.