By Cameron Lee
December 21, 2025
Photo: Rusty Jones / AP
The NFL remains one of the greatest dramas in sports, and Sunday’s matchup was no exception. The Panthers faced the Buccaneers for the first of two meetings in the final three games of the 2025 regular season, with first place in the NFC South on the line. Rookie safety Lathan Ransom delivered the defining moment, sealing the win with a game-winning interception just one week after committing a costly late-game penalty in the loss to the Saints.
This moment was absolutely electric
📱NFL+ pic.twitter.com/lUboINVvhs
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) December 22, 2025
Early on, things looked shaky for Carolina as they attempted to bounce back from another defeat — something they’ve now done six times this season. Bryce Young and the offense found a rhythm on the opening drive with a 10-yard first-down completion to Tetairoa McMillan, followed by a 25-yard end-around by Jimmy Horn Jr. The drive stalled, but Ryan Fitzgerald converted a 27-yard field goal — he was perfect on the day, hitting all three of his attempts, including the 48-yard go-ahead kick late in the fourth quarter.
Jimmy Jets!
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/73rpehqjww
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) December 21, 2025
Tampa Bay answered with a run-heavy opening drive that ended with a goal-line touchdown pass from Baker Mayfield to Mike Evans with single coverage against Mike Jackson — a familiar sight for Panthers fans, as Evans has tormented Carolina’s secondary for years.
On the Panthers’ next possession, Young tripped over the foot of Austin Corbett on a dropback, resulting in an eight-yard sack that left him visibly hobbled. For a moment, it appeared Andy Dalton might have to enter the game, but Young battled through, embodying the resilience that has defined this Panthers team all season.
The Buccaneers, who entered the game with the league’s 21st-ranked rushing attack, leaned heavily on the ground behind Bucky Irving, Rachaad White, and Sean Tucker. White ripped off a 39-yard run early in the second quarter, setting up a 23-yard Chase McLaughlin field goal after an unnecessary roughness penalty by A’Shawn Robinson improved Tampa’s field position.
Rozeboom showing off his new dad strength on the sack
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/ytbcWvcmrA
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) December 21, 2025
Young looked sluggish on the next drive, and Xavier Legette muffed a pass, but the Panthers’ defense responded with a crucial three-and-out, capped by a Christian Rozeboom sack on third down deep in Buccaneers territory. Carolina capitalized with a short-field drive that ended in a 41-yard Fitzgerald field goal, then closed the half with an eight-play march highlighted by a picture-perfect 22-yard touchdown pass from Young to McMillan.
Perfection
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/vy13eMc7Gh
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) December 21, 2025
The Bank was roaring as fans waved black towels, cheering on a Panthers team wearing their all-black uniforms for just the third time in franchise history, complemented by black end zones featuring the retro logo used prominently from 1995 to 2011.
“The whole thing. It felt right. It felt exactly right. It was an advantage,” said Canales. “There were some false starts. There were some issues with communication… it was an amazing electric feel today in the stadium.”
Tampa Bay opened the second half with a methodical, 14-play, 66-yard touchdown drive that consumed more than eight minutes of clock and gave the Buccaneers a 17-13 lead.
Unfazed, Young showcased his toughness and improvisational playmaking ability, using his legs to extend the ensuing drive, then delivered a magical play on third-and-five — scrambling before finding Ja’Tavion Sanders in the end zone for a touchdown to reclaim a 20-17 advantage.
WHAT A PLAY
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/RrbYhgw81O
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) December 21, 2025
“They had a great call. They covered us really well,” said Canales postgame. “Got to give credit to JT Sanders for staying alive. And that’s what we talk about, activate the second play… you know, pretty tough situations right there, but kept his eyes downfield and got us the touchdown.”
While Carolina recorded only two sacks — including a nine-yard loss by Derrick Brown (with help from Nic Scourton) on third down early in the fourth quarter — the defense forced Tampa into a difficult 50-yard field goal attempt by McLaughlin, which tied the game at 20-20. On the ensuing possession, Jalen Coker made the game’s most critical offensive play, beating Benjamin Morrison while drawing interference to set up Fitzgerald’s go-ahead field goal with 2:20 remaining.
DIME
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/zmvUe7R99G
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) December 21, 2025
“We talked about moments, moments that come up,” Canales said postgame. “We had a last drive where we had to put it together to get ourselves to get points and take the lead. The offense came together, made some plays right there on that drive.”
The Buccaneers began their final drive from their own 10-yard line following an unnecessary roughness penalty on rookie John Bullock on the kickoff. Mayfield scrambled for 26 yards and completed several short passes to move Tampa into potential game-winning field goal range. However, after a false start by rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka, Mayfield faced second-and-nine from the Panthers’ 42. Under pressure, he maneuvered the pocket and fired a pass behind Evans — where Ransom dove for the interception, sealing a 23-20 victory.
PAID THE RANSOM
📺:FOX pic.twitter.com/NFFXhxIhsU
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) December 21, 2025
The win gave Carolina sole possession of first place in the NFC South and positioned the Panthers to potentially claim their first division title since 2017 and their first home playoff game since 2015.
While the storyline centered on Bryce Young facing two former Carolina quarterbacks to close the season, the defense never allowed Mayfield to settle in. Despite surrendering 169 rushing yards, Carolina made timely stops. Jackson rebounded impressively, limiting Evans to just 18 yards after the opening touchdown drive, while Scourton, Claudin Cherilus, Jaycee Horn, Brown, and Rozeboom all played key roles in a great team victory.
How are we gonna get it done? TOGETHER pic.twitter.com/TuUlqkLegb
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) December 21, 2025
As for Young’s ankle, it doesn’t appear too serious, and it looks like he’ll be ready for the Seahawks on Sunday.
“We’re all playing through something this time of the year. It’s football,” Young said postgame. “You know, everyone’s going through something. So any chance I can to be out there with the guys, I’m always gonna take it.”
The Panthers take on the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, December 28 (1:00 p.m.) at Bank of America Stadium to potentially clinch the NFC South division for the first time since 2017.
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