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The Carolina Panthers took a big step toward ending their playoff drought with a huge 23-20 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.
Panthers kicker Ryan Fitzgerald hit the go-ahead 48-yard field goal with 2:20 left in the game. Then Panthers safety Lathan Ransom intercepted a Baker Mayfield pass to seal the win. The gritty Carolina win pushed them to the top of the NFC South division with two weeks left in the season.
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Carolina Panthers safety Lathan Ransom celebrates after and interception against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)
Bryce Young stepped up for the Panthers when they needed him the most.
He fired a 22-yard touchdown pass to Tetairoa McMillan just before halftime. The Panthers had a three-point lead going into the locker room. In the third quarter, Young found Ja’Tavion Sanders for a 6-yard score to go up by three points again.
The Buccaneers tied the game with 11:24 to go in the fourth quarter with a 50-yard Chase McLaughlin field goal. But the Panthers seemed to have an answer for almost everything Tampa Bay threw at them.
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Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan celebrates after scoring against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Carolina’s defense held Mayfield to just 145 passing yards — among his lowest totals this season. He had a touchdown pass to Mike Evans, but the decisive interception to Ransom was the ultimate setback of the game.
Young was 21-of-32 with 191 passing yards and two touchdown passes. He didn’t turn the ball over. McMillan led the team with six catches for 73 yards.
Carolina defenders Nick Scott and Christian Rozeboom each had 10 tackles. Rozeboom and Derrick Brown each had a sack.
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The Panthers aren’t in the playoffs yet and could get some help with a Week 17 win and a Buccaneers loss. The two teams meet once again in Week 18. Carolina hasn’t been to the playoffs since 2017 and hasn’t won a playoff game since 2015.
