Panthers-Buccaneers live updates: Tom Brady, Tampa Bay shred Carolina in season finale

Live updates have concluded for this game. For the latest from the Panthers’ loss to the Buccaneers, click here.

For a game that doesn’t mean anything to the Carolina Panthers’ divisional standing, nor for the team’s non-existent playoff chances, Sunday’s regular-season final against Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sure has a feeling of “mattering,” doesn’t it?

First, of course, it’s a divisional matchup. The Panthers (5-11) and Bucs (12-4) have taken decidedly different paths this season — and for the past couple of seasons — but they still meet twice a year, and the games in which they face off historically tend to be tight, and physical (their most recent meeting notwithstanding). And, come on ... they’re facing Mr. GOAT Tom Brady and his band of at times dysfunctional but talented “villains.”

Secondly, the Panthers themselves have players (and coaches?) fighting for jobs. The quarterback position may be the most glaring position of need moving forward for Carolina, but depth at positions across the offense and defense is still an issue, and with one last real-game opportunity to shine before the cacophony of offseason roster additions and subtractions, many players who are on the bubble to remain employed in the NFL — whether they think they are or not — have a vested interest in their personal performances today.

So, we wait, and then watch. We analyze, and overanalyze. We follow along, and react. And we do it all with The Observer’s live coverage of the game. Check back here all afternoon, and throughout the game, for the latest live updates and observations as the Panthers travel St. Pete to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the teams’ final regular-season game of the season.

In addition to following us here, make sure you follow beat writers Jonathan M. Alexander, Ellis Williams and columnist Scott Fowler. on Twitter for the latest updates, expert analysis and witty banter. Following the game, make your way to CharlotteObserver.com for complete expanded postgame coverage.

What’s the Panthers score right now?

Buccaneers pile on another TD

Tampa Bay adds another TD after taking over at the Carolina 33 on downs. The Bucs faked an inside handoff and gave the ball to Scott Miller, who not only ran all 33 yards for a TD (his first of the year), but also logged the longest run play of the game for the Bucs, and also became the team’s leading rusher on the play. Tampa Bay 41, Carolina 17.

Another Tampa FG extends the lead

Tom Brady has come out of the game, and the Buccaneers have tacked on another Ryan Succop field goal for good measure. This one is out of reach for Carolina now. Bucs 34, Panthers 17.

Tom Brady TD strike extends Bucs lead

That didn’t take long. In just 3:00 of playing time, Tampa marched 75 yards on six plays, capped by a 20-yard deep fade route to Mike Evans in the left corner of the end zone. Key play here was a Rob Gronkowski catch and run over the middle for 28 yards. Tampa Bay 31, Carolina 17.

Robby Anderson TD helps Panthers stay close

The Pantheres covered 56 yards in 10 plays, and 4:22, to pull within a score one more time. The capper is a 19-yard strike from Sam Darnold to Robby Anderson. Buccaneers 24, Panthers 17.

Tampa Bay puts it away with another TD

As the fourth quarter began, Tom Brady added another TD to his season total with a 3-yard TD toss to Mike Evans. The Bucs are doing their part as they try to lock down the No. 2 seed in the NFC, though they still need a little help. That drive was important, too, in how much time came off the clock. The Bucs went 62 yards in 4:48, completing 13 plays, including the TD strike. Tampa Bay 24, Carolina 10.

Panthers FG makes it a one-score game

Carolina takes over after falling behind by two scores at their own 31. Chuba Hubbard had the biggest play on the drive with a 15-yard scamper behind right tackle, which immediately set up a 17-yard completion from Darnold to DJ Moore. The drive stalled there, hoewever, but Hajrullahu booted a 35-yard field goal to pull the Panthers to within one score. Tampa Bay 17, Carolina 10.

Panthers fall further behind

Tampa Bay got the ball to begin the second half, and did exactly the same thing they did to end the first: March down the field for a TD. This time, Tom Brady guided the Bucs 77 yards over 9 plays in just 3:03, culminating the drive with a Vaughn rush up the middle for two yards. The biggest play on the drive was a 42-yard connection up the middle to TE Rob Gronkowski, something those twop have done many times over the years. Buccaneers 17, Panthers 7.

Bucs march the length of the field for a TD

Seemingly pinned on their own goal line, Tampa Bay figures out a way to march 99 yards just before halftime and Tom Brady does what Tom Brady does. A LeVeon Bell TD pass from Brady seals that deal after a looong play from inside the 10 from Brady to Evans for 37 yards, followed by plays of 20 (Brady to Gronk) and 24 (Brady to Perrlman) to set the Bucs up inside the Carolina 5. Buccaneers 10, Panthers 7.

Questionable 4th-and-1 play call

The Panthers had a few downs inside the 5 in the Tampa Bay zone. And they squandered the opportunity. With Cam Newton on the bench — and having played a down earlier — the Panthers ran a pair of plays from inside the five, needing to get to the 1/2-yard line, to try and get at least the first down. The final play, a QB sneak, seemed like a perfect play for Newton to run. Matt Rhule went with Darnold under center instead, and they failed to pick up the yardage, handing the ball back to the Bucs at the 1.

Buccaneers on the board with a FG

After a promising but grinding drive stalls for Tampa Bay, a North Carolina native, kicker Ryan Succop, hits a FG for the Bucs to put the home team on the board. Of note on that drive for the Panthers, Rashaan Melvin went to the sideline with an injury. Afully thin at DB, those Panthers. Carolina 7, Tampa Bay 3.

Panthers finish 1Q with a lead

After a dominant opening drive, the Panthers have fallen flat on offense. The good news: Their defense has been just fine against what is usually a high-powered Tampa offense, allowing no points. Carolina’s D will be tested though, when the second quarter starts with the Bucs near midfield with a fresh set of downs after the Panthers turned the ball over on fourth down.

Defense shines on opening drive

The Panthers may not have anything officially to play for, but the defense against Tom Brady and the Bucs is playing like it has something to prove. Good scheming has Brady flummoxed. Opening down sack, forced read to Gronk nearly picked and then a check down on third down that results in a punt. Far different start to this one for Carolina than in their game two weeks ago. Will be interesting to see what Bruce Arians does with his starters today. Also, of note: In 17 games, the Panthers’ defense didn’t allow a single TD on an opening drive.

Darnold + Hubbard = opening drive success

A heavy dose of Chuba Hubbard gets the Panthers to within 1st-and-goal, and it was Hubbard to finish things off on a pass from Sam Darnold to the left flat. The Tampa defense not offering much resistance on that drive, and the Panthers take the lead. Panthers 7, Buccaneers 0.

Uni watch

The Panthers are wearing black tops with white pants. The Bucs are wearing white tops with dark pants.

Inactive players

PANTHERS: PJ Walker, Jeremy Chinn, Sean Chandler, Kamal Martin, Jacob Tuioti-Mariner, Azur Kamara, John Miller.

BUCCANEERS: Kyle Trask, Richard Sherman, Justin Watson, Ronald Jones II, Rashard Robinson, Nick Leverett, Jason Pierre-Paul.

Is this Cam Newton’s last game?

Sunday will likely be the last time Cam Newton suits up as a Carolina Panther; his contract expires at the end of the season.

As columnist Scott Fowler wrote today, this being Newton’s last game — and a game he’s not even expected to start — shows that the NFL is not fair.

Other Panthers playing their final games for Carolina?

The Panthers have more than 20 pending free agents who could be playing their final game with the team this afternoon in Tampa Bay, including Donte Jackson and Haason Reddick. Ellis Williams broke down who the Panthers should re-sign and who they should let go.

What radio station is the Panthers game on?

Here is a list of Panthers Radio Network affiliates to listen to the Panthers vs. Buccaneers Week 18 NFL game.

How to watch the Buccaneers vs Panthers game

Today’s 4:25 p.m. kickoff between the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium is being broadcast on CBS. If you’re watching in Charlotte, that means WBTV Ch. 3. The Panthers-Bucs NFL game can be streamed online with a subscription to YouTube TV or Hulu+ Live TV, so long as you are viewing from inside the broadcast footprint — a map of which can be found below in red via 506 Sports.

This story was originally published January 9, 2022 at 3:06 PM with the headline "Panthers-Buccaneers live updates: Tom Brady, Tampa Bay shred Carolina in season finale."

Matt L. Stephens

The Charlotte Observer

Matt L. Stephens is the Senior Sports Editor for The Charlotte Observer and oversees sports coverage for the Raleigh News & Observer, The State in Columbia, S.C., and McClatchy’s other properties across the Southeast. Before coming to Charlotte in July 2019, Matt was an award-winning editor, columnist and investigative reporter at The Denver Post and Fort Collins Coloradoan.