Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers Match Player Stats
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers Match Player Stats from January 4, 2026, tell the story of a close NFC South battle decided by execution in the most important moments. Tampa Bay defeated Carolina 16-14, but the box score shows a much more competitive game than the final score alone suggests. Carolina quarterback Bryce Young produced 266 passing yards and two touchdown passes, while Baker Mayfield finished with 203 passing yards and one touchdown for Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers gained a major advantage on the ground, however, rushing for 140 yards compared with only 19 yards for Carolina.
The game also featured contrasting offensive approaches. Carolina leaned heavily on its passing attack because its rushing game struggled throughout the afternoon. Tampa Bay, meanwhile, established a much stronger ground presence behind Bucky Irving, who carried the ball 26 times for 85 yards. Cade Otton also delivered a standout performance for the Buccaneers with seven receptions for 94 yards and a touchdown.
Although both teams finished the season at 8-9, the matchup highlighted several individual performances that deserve closer examination. Carolina generated more passing production, while Tampa Bay controlled the rushing battle and converted its opportunities more effectively.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers Match Player Stats Overview
The January 4 matchup ended with Tampa Bay winning 16-14. Carolina finished the season 8-9 overall and 3-6 on the road, while Tampa Bay also finished 8-9 but posted a 4-4 home record.
The basic statistical picture is revealing:
| Category | Carolina Panthers | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| Final Score | 14 | 16 |
| Record | 8-9 | 8-9 |
| Passing Yards | 266 | 203 |
| Rushing Yards | 19 | 140 |
| Total Receiving Yards | 266 | 203 |
| Passing TDs | 2 | 1 |
| Interceptions | 1 | 1 |
| Team Fumbles | 3 | 4 |
| Fumbles Lost | 2 | 2 |
| Team Sacks | 2 | 0 |
| Field Goals | 0/1 | 3/4 |
The most obvious takeaway is the difference in rushing production. Tampa Bay ran for 140 yards on 42 attempts, averaging 3.3 yards per carry. Carolina managed only 19 yards on 14 rushing attempts, also averaging 1.4 yards per carry.
That 121-yard rushing advantage was one of the defining statistical differences in the game.
At the same time, Carolina’s passing offense was productive. Young completed 24 of 35 attempts for 266 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. His 98.0 passer rating was slightly better than Mayfield’s 97.3 rating.
This is an important reminder that the quarterback with the better passing numbers does not necessarily play for the winning team.
Bryce Young’s Passing Performance
Bryce Young completed 24 of 35 passes for 266 yards. He averaged 7.6 yards per attempt and finished with two touchdown passes and one interception.
His completion percentage was approximately 68.6%, which represents an efficient passing performance on paper. Carolina also avoided allowing a sack according to the supplied statistics.
Young’s final passing line was:
| Statistic | Bryce Young |
| Completions | 24 |
| Attempts | 35 |
| Completion Rate | 68.6% |
| Passing Yards | 266 |
| Yards per Attempt | 7.6 |
| Touchdowns | 2 |
| Interceptions | 1 |
| Sacks | 0 |
| QBR | 44.9 |
| Passer Rating | 98.0 |
The 266 passing yards were a significant part of Carolina’s offensive production. In fact, Carolina’s total passing yardage matched its total receiving yardage because the supplied receiving statistics recorded 266 team receiving yards.
Young also benefited from several receivers making meaningful contributions. Tetairoa McMillan led the Panthers in receiving yards with 85, while Jalen Coker and Tommy Tremble each caught touchdown passes.
The most notable issue for Carolina was the lack of balance. With only 19 team rushing yards, the Panthers had to rely on Young and the passing game for much of their offensive output.
That made the passing attack more important, but it also allowed Tampa Bay to understand that Carolina was unlikely to generate consistent yardage on the ground.
Baker Mayfield’s Passing Performance
Baker Mayfield completed 16 of 22 passes for 203 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He averaged 9.2 yards per attempt, which was considerably higher than Young’s 7.6 yards per attempt.
Mayfield’s supplied passing statistics were:
| Statistic | Baker Mayfield |
| Completions | 16 |
| Attempts | 22 |
| Completion Rate | 72.7% |
| Passing Yards | 203 |
| Yards per Attempt | 9.2 |
| Touchdowns | 1 |
| Interceptions | 1 |
| Sacks | 2 |
| QBR | 73.5 |
| Passer Rating | 97.3 |
His 72.7% completion rate was higher than Young’s, even though he attempted 13 fewer passes.
The most interesting number is the 9.2 yards per attempt. Tampa Bay did not need Mayfield to throw frequently because the Buccaneers were able to generate substantial rushing production.
Mayfield also contributed with his legs. He rushed four times for 31 yards, averaging 7.8 yards per carry, with a longest run of 11 yards.
Those 31 rushing yards were not insignificant. They gave Tampa Bay another source of production and helped explain why its overall rushing total was so much stronger than Carolina’s.
Bucky Irving Leads Tampa Bay’s Ground Game
Bucky Irving was arguably one of the most important individual players in the matchup.
He carried the ball 26 times for 85 yards, averaging 3.3 yards per attempt. His longest run went for nine yards.
His statistics were:
| Statistic | Bucky Irving |
| Carries | 26 |
| Rushing Yards | 85 |
| Average | 3.3 |
| Touchdowns | 0 |
| Longest Run | 9 yards |
| Receptions | 1 |
| Receiving Yards | 13 |
| Receiving Average | 13.0 |
The 26 carries were particularly important.
Tampa Bay did not produce a spectacular rushing average, but the team stayed committed to the run. That consistency helped the Buccaneers accumulate 140 rushing yards on 42 attempts.
Irving’s workload also stands out compared with the rest of the Tampa Bay backfield. Rachaad White recorded seven carries for 23 yards, while Sean Tucker had four carries for negative four yards. Tez Johnson added five rushing yards on one attempt.
Irving’s 85 yards therefore represented the largest share of Tampa Bay’s rushing output.
His contribution was less about explosive plays and more about volume, reliability and keeping the offense moving.
Rachaad White and Tampa Bay’s Supporting Runners
Rachaad White finished with seven carries for 23 yards. His average was 3.3 yards per carry, exactly matching Irving’s rushing average.
White also caught two passes for 18 yards.
His combined rushing and receiving production gave him 41 yards from scrimmage based on the supplied statistics.
Baker Mayfield added another 31 rushing yards, making his mobility a useful part of the offense.
The complete Tampa Bay rushing figures were:
| Player | Carries | Yards | Average | Long |
| Bucky Irving | 26 | 85 | 3.3 | 9 |
| Baker Mayfield | 4 | 31 | 7.8 | 11 |
| Rachaad White | 7 | 23 | 3.3 | 7 |
| Tez Johnson | 1 | 5 | 5.0 | 5 |
| Sean Tucker | 4 | -4 | -1.0 | 3 |
| Team Total | 42 | 140 | 3.3 | 11 |
The team total is more important than any one individual figure. Tampa Bay consistently generated enough rushing production to prevent its offense from becoming one-dimensional.
Carolina’s Rushing Game Struggles
Carolina’s rushing performance was the clearest statistical weakness in the matchup.
The Panthers recorded only 19 rushing yards on 14 attempts.
Chuba Hubbard had five carries for 10 yards, while Rico Dowdle recorded seven carries for 10 yards. Bryce Young had two rushing attempts for negative one yard.
| Player | Carries | Yards | Average | Long |
| Chuba Hubbard | 5 | 10 | 2.0 | 5 |
| Rico Dowdle | 7 | 10 | 1.4 | 4 |
| Bryce Young | 2 | -1 | -0.5 | 0 |
| Team Total | 14 | 19 | 1.4 | 5 |
Neither Hubbard nor Dowdle produced a run longer than five yards.
That limited Carolina’s ability to create favorable down-and-distance situations through the running game.
It also created a sharp contrast between the two offenses. Tampa Bay averaged 3.3 yards per rushing attempt, while Carolina averaged only 1.4.
A difference of 1.9 yards per rushing attempt may appear modest at first, but over the course of a game it can create repeated differences in field position and offensive efficiency.
Cade Otton’s Standout Receiving Performance
Cade Otton was Tampa Bay’s leading receiver.
He caught seven passes for 94 yards and one touchdown on nine targets. His average was 13.4 yards per reception, and his longest catch went for 22 yards.
| Statistic | Cade Otton |
| Receptions | 7 |
| Targets | 9 |
| Receiving Yards | 94 |
| Average | 13.4 |
| Touchdowns | 1 |
| Longest Reception | 22 yards |
Otton accounted for a substantial portion of Tampa Bay’s 203 receiving yards.
His nine targets were also the most among Buccaneers receivers in the supplied data.
That combination of volume and production makes Otton one of the clearest offensive standouts from the game.
While Tampa Bay did not throw the ball as often as Carolina, Otton made his opportunities count.
Mike Evans and Tampa Bay’s Other Receivers
Mike Evans finished with two receptions for 34 yards on two targets. His 17.0 yards per reception was Tampa Bay’s highest average among the listed players with multiple yards-producing catches.
Rachaad White added two receptions for 18 yards.
Tez Johnson caught one pass for 17 yards, while Bucky Irving added one reception for 13 yards.
Jalen McMillan recorded one reception for 11 yards.
Chris Godwin Jr. and Emeka Egbuka each finished with one reception for eight yards.
The Tampa Bay receiving statistics were:
| Player | Rec. | Yards | Avg. | TD | Long | Targets |
| Cade Otton | 7 | 94 | 13.4 | 1 | 22 | 9 |
| Mike Evans | 2 | 34 | 17.0 | 0 | 21 | 2 |
| Rachaad White | 2 | 18 | 9.0 | 0 | 11 | 2 |
| Tez Johnson | 1 | 17 | 17.0 | 0 | 17 | 1 |
| Bucky Irving | 1 | 13 | 13.0 | 0 | 13 | 2 |
| Jalen McMillan | 1 | 11 | 11.0 | 0 | 11 | 1 |
| Chris Godwin Jr. | 1 | 8 | 8.0 | 0 | 8 | 1 |
| Emeka Egbuka | 1 | 8 | 8.0 | 0 | 8 | 3 |
| Payne Durham | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Team Total | 16 | 203 | 12.7 | 1 | 22 | 22 |
The numbers show that Tampa Bay’s passing attack was concentrated around Otton, with Evans providing a secondary source of yardage.
Tetairoa McMillan Leads Carolina Receivers
Tetairoa McMillan led all Carolina receivers with four catches for 85 yards.
His average of 21.3 yards per reception was the highest among the Panthers’ main contributors, and his longest reception covered 40 yards.
He was targeted six times.
| Statistic | Tetairoa McMillan |
| Receptions | 4 |
| Targets | 6 |
| Receiving Yards | 85 |
| Average | 21.3 |
| Touchdowns | 0 |
| Longest Reception | 40 yards |
McMillan’s 40-yard reception was the longest catch recorded by either team according to the supplied statistics.
His performance illustrates why Carolina was able to produce 266 passing yards despite having almost no success running the football.
The Panthers needed explosive passing plays, and McMillan provided an important part of that production.
Jalen Coker and Tommy Tremble Find the End Zone
Jalen Coker caught six passes for 47 yards and a touchdown on seven targets.
Tommy Tremble caught three passes for 38 yards and a touchdown on four targets.
Their touchdown receptions accounted for both of Carolina’s receiving touchdowns.
Other contributors included Brycen Tremayne, who caught two passes for 27 yards, and Xavier Legette, who recorded three receptions for 22 yards.
Rico Dowdle added two catches for 20 yards.
Carolina’s complete receiving production showed that the Panthers were able to distribute the ball among several players even though McMillan led the group in yardage.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers Match Player Stats: Defensive Leaders
The defensive statistics provide another major contrast.
Carolina recorded 81 total tackles, 42 solo tackles, two sacks, five tackles for loss and three passes defended.
Tampa Bay recorded 38 total tackles, 29 solo tackles, no sacks, three tackles for loss and two passes defended.
The tackle difference is striking, but it should not automatically be interpreted as a sign that Carolina’s defense dominated.
A high number of defensive tackles can sometimes reflect how often an opponent runs offensive plays and how much time the defense spends on the field.
Derrick Brown Leads Carolina in Tackles
Derrick Brown finished with 13 total tackles, including five solo tackles.
He led all players in total tackles in the supplied defensive statistics.
His line was:
| Statistic | Derrick Brown |
| Total Tackles | 13 |
| Solo Tackles | 5 |
| Sacks | 0 |
| Tackles for Loss | 0 |
| Passes Defended | 0 |
| QB Hits | 0 |
Nick Scott recorded nine total tackles and six solo tackles.
Christian Rozeboom added eight total tackles, six solo tackles and two passes defended.
Mike Jackson finished with seven total tackles.
Tre’von Moehrig recorded six total tackles, four solo tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss and one quarterback hit.
Moehrig was particularly productive as a disruptive defender because his statistics included both a sack and two tackles for loss.
Lavonte David Leads Tampa Bay Tacklers
Lavonte David led Tampa Bay with six total tackles and five solo tackles.
Tykee Smith recorded five total tackles and four solo tackles.
Yaya Diaby finished with four total tackles, three solo tackles and one tackle for loss.
Vita Vea recorded three total tackles, all three solo, and one tackle for loss.
Tampa Bay did not record a sack in the supplied defensive data.
That is notable because the Buccaneers still managed to win the game despite producing no sacks and fewer total tackles than Carolina.
Turnovers Had a Major Role
Both teams recorded one interception.
Christian Rozeboom intercepted a pass for Carolina and returned it 20 yards.
Jacob Parrish recorded Tampa Bay’s interception, with no return yardage.
Fumbles were another important part of the game.
Carolina had three team fumbles and lost two.
Tampa Bay had four team fumbles and also lost two.
Therefore, both teams lost two fumbles.
The turnover picture was:
| Category | Carolina | Tampa Bay |
| Interceptions | 1 | 1 |
| Fumbles | 3 | 4 |
| Fumbles Lost | 2 | 2 |
| Total Listed Turnovers | 3 | 3 |
The equal turnover total is significant because it means Tampa Bay’s victory cannot simply be explained by winning the turnover battle.
Instead, the stronger rushing performance and more successful kicking production were key differences.
Special Teams Made the Difference
The kicking statistics provide perhaps the clearest explanation for the two-point final margin.
Carolina kicker Ryan Fitzgerald went 0-for-1 on field-goal attempts but made both extra-point attempts.
Tampa Bay kicker Chase McLaughlin went 3-for-4 on field goals and made his only extra-point attempt.
McLaughlin scored 10 points.
Fitzgerald scored two.
| Kicker | Field Goals | Extra Points | Total Points |
| Ryan Fitzgerald | 0/1 | 2/2 | 2 |
| Chase McLaughlin | 3/4 | 1/1 | 10 |
Tampa Bay therefore received eight more points from its kicker.
With the final score separated by only two points, that difference is enormous.
The game demonstrates why field goals remain especially important in close NFL games. A team can move the ball reasonably well and still lose if it fails to turn drives into points.
Punting Comparison
Carolina’s Sam Martin punted three times for 139 yards.
His average was 46.3 yards, with a long of 50 yards. One punt resulted in a touchback and one was placed inside the 20-yard line.
Tampa Bay’s Riley Dixon also punted three times, producing 130 yards.
His average was 43.3 yards, with a long of 46 yards. None of his punts resulted in a touchback, and all three were recorded as inside the 20-yard line.
The punting statistics were:
| Statistic | Sam Martin | Riley Dixon |
| Punts | 3 | 3 |
| Yards | 139 | 130 |
| Average | 46.3 | 43.3 |
| Touchbacks | 1 | 0 |
| Inside 20 | 1 | 3 |
| Long | 50 | 46 |
Martin had the better average and total yardage.
Dixon, however, recorded three punts inside the 20, which points to strong placement even without the higher average.
Return Game
Carolina recorded two punt returns for only three yards.
Trevor Etienne returned one punt for three yards, while Brycen Tremayne returned one for no gain.
Tampa Bay had no punt returns recorded.
On kick returns, Tampa Bay’s Sean Tucker returned three kicks for 57 yards, averaging 19.0 yards per return. His longest return was 21 yards.
Carolina had no kick returns listed.
The return statistics did not produce a dramatic advantage, but Tampa Bay’s kick-return activity gave the Buccaneers additional opportunities to influence field position.
What the Numbers Say About the Game
Looking beyond the final score reveals three central themes.
1. Tampa Bay Won the Ground Battle
The Buccaneers rushed for 140 yards.
The Panthers rushed for only 19.
That 121-yard difference is the largest statistical gap between the teams in the supplied data.
Tampa Bay did not need explosive rushing plays. Instead, it maintained a steady rushing attack throughout the game.
2. Carolina Won the Passing Yardage Battle
Young threw for 266 yards.
Mayfield threw for 203.
Carolina therefore had a 63-yard advantage in passing yardage.
Young also threw two touchdown passes compared with Mayfield’s one.
This makes the result especially interesting because Carolina’s quarterback and passing game produced stronger raw numbers in several categories.
3. Tampa Bay Was More Productive on Field Goals
McLaughlin made three field goals.
Fitzgerald missed his only field-goal attempt.
That special-teams difference was worth eight points, and the game ended with Tampa Bay ahead by two.
In a close contest, those points cannot be treated as a minor detail.
Why the Final Score Was So Close
The statistics suggest two teams that won different parts of the game.
Carolina’s passing offense was efficient enough to stay competitive. Young completed nearly 69% of his passes and threw for 266 yards.
Tampa Bay countered with a much stronger rushing attack.
The Buccaneers also generated 10 points from their kicker.
The Panthers scored two touchdowns through the passing game, while Tampa Bay scored one passing touchdown and relied heavily on field goals.
That produced a game in which neither team completely controlled every phase.
Carolina had enough offensive production to remain within reach.
Tampa Bay had enough balance and kicking efficiency to finish ahead.
Key Player Performances at a Glance
Several players stand out when the complete statistical picture is considered.
Bucky Irving: 26 carries, 85 rushing yards, 3.3 average, plus 13 receiving yards.
Cade Otton: Seven receptions, 94 yards and one touchdown on nine targets.
Baker Mayfield: 203 passing yards, one touchdown, one interception, plus 31 rushing yards.
Bryce Young: 266 passing yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
Tetairoa McMillan: Four receptions for 85 yards, including a 40-yard catch.
Derrick Brown: 13 total tackles, the most among all listed defenders.
Chase McLaughlin: Three field goals and one extra point for 10 total points.
Christian Rozeboom: Eight tackles, two passes defended and an interception.
Tre’von Moehrig: Six tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss and one quarterback hit.
These performances show why looking only at passing yards or the final score can provide an incomplete picture.
Comparing the Quarterbacks
Young and Mayfield produced remarkably competitive passing lines, but they did so in different circumstances.
Young attempted 35 passes.
Mayfield attempted only 22.
Young therefore carried a much larger passing workload.
Mayfield’s 9.2 yards per attempt was higher than Young’s 7.6, while Young’s total yardage was higher because of his additional attempts.
Their passer ratings were also close:
- Bryce Young: 98.0
- Baker Mayfield: 97.3
Young had the slightly higher rating.
Mayfield, however, contributed 31 rushing yards, helping Tampa Bay maintain offensive balance.
The quarterback comparison therefore does not reveal a clear individual winner. The surrounding team performance mattered more.
Comparing the Running Backs
The difference between the backfields was much clearer.
Bucky Irving carried 26 times for 85 yards.
Carolina’s two primary runners, Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle, combined for 20 rushing yards on 12 carries.
Irving alone produced more than four times the rushing yardage of Hubbard and Dowdle combined.
That disparity placed pressure on Carolina’s passing attack.
It also allowed Tampa Bay to keep its offense more balanced.
What Fantasy Football Readers Can Learn From the Stats
Although this was a completed game rather than a future fantasy matchup, the statistics still offer useful lessons for evaluating player performance.
Cade Otton’s seven receptions and nine targets demonstrate the value of target volume.
Tetairoa McMillan’s four receptions for 85 yards demonstrate the impact of explosive receiving plays.
Bucky Irving’s 26 carries show how workload can remain valuable even when the yards per carry average is only 3.3.
Baker Mayfield’s 31 rushing yards also demonstrate why quarterback rushing production can add meaningful value even when passing volume is moderate.
For fantasy analysis, however, raw box-score production should always be separated from future projections. One game’s workload does not guarantee the same role in a later matchup.
A Deeper Look at Offensive Efficiency
One of the most interesting aspects of this game is that Tampa Bay gained fewer passing yards but still generated a stronger overall offensive balance.
The Buccaneers recorded:
- 203 passing yards
- 140 rushing yards
- 343 combined passing and rushing yards based on the supplied statistics
Carolina recorded:
- 266 passing yards
- 19 rushing yards
- 285 combined passing and rushing yards
That gives Tampa Bay an advantage of 58 combined passing and rushing yards.
The difference becomes more meaningful when the rushing distribution is considered.
Carolina’s 19 rushing yards came on 14 attempts.
Tampa Bay’s 140 rushing yards came on 42 attempts.
Tampa Bay therefore produced three times as many rushing yards while also throwing for more than 200 yards.
This balance gave the Buccaneers multiple ways to move the football.
The Importance of Reducing Dependence on One Phase
Carolina’s offensive structure became increasingly dependent on passing production.
Young completed 24 passes for 266 yards, and the Panthers’ receivers collectively produced 266 yards.
That passing attack was good enough to generate two touchdowns.
But the running game produced almost nothing.
When an offense cannot threaten consistently on the ground, the defense can devote more attention to the passing game and make each successful drive more difficult to sustain.
Tampa Bay had no such limitation.
Even though its rushing average was only 3.3 yards per attempt, the Buccaneers continued running the ball and accumulated 42 attempts.
That volume mattered.
Defensive Production Was Different for Each Team
Carolina’s defense recorded more tackles, more sacks and more passes defended than Tampa Bay’s defense.
The Panthers recorded 81 total tackles compared with Tampa Bay’s 38.
Carolina also had two sacks, while Tampa Bay had none.
Yet Tampa Bay won.
This is a valuable statistical lesson.
Individual defensive statistics do not always translate directly into wins.
A defense can produce more tackles because the opposing offense runs more plays or because defenders repeatedly make stops after the offense gains yards.
Likewise, sacks are valuable, but a team does not necessarily need to record a sack to win.
Tampa Bay’s defense contributed to a winning team performance even without producing a sack in the supplied data.
The Biggest Statistical Difference
If one number had to be selected to explain the game, the strongest candidate would be the rushing differential.
Tampa Bay: 140 rushing yards.
Carolina: 19 rushing yards.
Differential: 121 yards.
The second major difference was kicking.
Tampa Bay received 10 points from McLaughlin.
Carolina received two points from Fitzgerald.
Those two areas helped compensate for Carolina’s stronger passing production.
The result was a two-point Tampa Bay victory.
Final Assessment
The January 4, 2026 meeting between Carolina and Tampa Bay was a useful example of how different statistical strengths can collide in an NFL game.
Bryce Young produced 266 passing yards and two touchdown passes. Tetairoa McMillan delivered 85 receiving yards, while Jalen Coker and Tommy Tremble each caught touchdown passes.
Tampa Bay answered with a balanced offense.
Bucky Irving handled 26 rushing attempts and finished with 85 yards. Baker Mayfield added 31 rushing yards and passed for 203 yards. Cade Otton was the Buccaneers’ leading receiver with 94 yards and one touchdown.
The defensive statistics favored Carolina in several categories. The Panthers recorded more total tackles, two sacks and an interception. Christian Rozeboom and Derrick Brown were particularly active.
But Tampa Bay’s offensive balance and kicking production ultimately proved more important.
The Buccaneers rushed for 140 yards against only 19 for Carolina, while Chase McLaughlin converted three field goals and an extra point for 10 points.
The final score, Tampa Bay 16, Carolina 14, reflects a game decided by small margins rather than overwhelming dominance.
For anyone studying the Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers Match Player Stats, the central lesson is clear: passing yardage alone did not determine the outcome. Tampa Bay’s rushing volume, offensive balance and field-goal production helped turn a statistically close contest into a two-point victory.
The matchup also shows why complete player analysis should combine quarterback efficiency, rushing workload, receiving volume, defensive activity, turnovers and special teams. Each category provides a different piece of the game, and together they explain the result far better than a single headline statistic.
FAQs
Who won the Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers game on January 4, 2026?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Carolina Panthers 16-14 on January 4, 2026.
Who had more passing yards in the game?
Bryce Young had more passing yards. He finished with 266 yards, while Baker Mayfield recorded 203 yards.
Who was Tampa Bay’s leading rusher?
Bucky Irving was Tampa Bay’s leading rusher with 85 yards on 26 carries.
Who was Tampa Bay’s leading receiver?
Cade Otton led the Buccaneers with seven receptions for 94 yards and one touchdown.
Who was Carolina’s leading receiver?
Tetairoa McMillan led Carolina with four receptions for 85 yards. His longest reception was 40 yards.
Which team had more rushing yards?
Tampa Bay had a major advantage on the ground, recording 140 rushing yards compared with Carolina’s 19.
Conclusion
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers Match Player Stats show a game in which neither team dominated every statistical category.
Carolina had the stronger passing numbers, with Bryce Young throwing for 266 yards and two touchdowns. The Panthers also received 85 yards from Tetairoa McMillan and touchdown receptions from Jalen Coker and Tommy Tremble.
Tampa Bay’s advantage came from balance. The Buccaneers rushed for 140 yards, led by Bucky Irving’s 85 yards on 26 carries. Baker Mayfield added 31 rushing yards, while Cade Otton provided 94 receiving yards and a touchdown.
The kicking difference was equally important. Chase McLaughlin scored 10 points for Tampa Bay, including three successful field goals, while Carolina’s Ryan Fitzgerald made both extra points but missed his only field-goal attempt.
Defensively, Carolina produced more tackles and recorded two sacks, while Tampa Bay finished without a sack. Both teams recorded one interception and lost two fumbles.
Ultimately, the numbers explain why Tampa Bay won despite Carolina’s stronger passing production. The Buccaneers created a better balance between rushing and passing and were more effective when converting scoring opportunities.
The 16-14 result was therefore not simply a victory built around one superstar performance. It was the product of several smaller advantages working together, particularly Tampa Bay’s rushing production and field-goal efficiency.
