Tampa Bay Buccaneers 46-23 Carolina Panthers: Ronald Jones runs to career-best figures

Ronald Jones rushed for 192 yards and a score while Tom Brady threw for 341 yards and three touchdowns as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Carolina Panthers, for whom Teddy Bridgewater finished 18 of 24 for two touchdowns and an interception.

By Cameron Hogwood

Watch the highlights of the Week 10 matchup between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Carolina Panthers

Ronald Jones rushed for a career-best 192 yards and a 98-yard touchdown as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers dismantled the Carolina Panthers 46-23 in a ruthless response to their Week Nine humiliation against the New Orleans Saints.

Tom Brady channelled any lingering frustration from his three-interception outing by finishing 28 of 39 for 341 yards and three touchdowns, with Chris Godwin leading the way with six catches for 92 yards in contribution to 543 total yards on offense.

The Panthers, missing lead running back Christian McCaffrey, were bright in the first half behind a near-perfect Teddy Bridgewater and aggressive play-calling from offensive coordinator Joe Brady, but seemed to fade after the break.

  • Buccaneers stats: Tom Brady, 28/39, 341 yards, 3 TDs
  • Rushing leader: Ronald Jones, 23 carries, 192 yards, 1 TD
  • Receiving leader: Chris Godwin, 6 catches, 92 yards
Panthers tight end Colin Thompson' first touch in NFL is a touchdown against the Buccaneers

Having recovered Shaq Thompson's forced fumble on the Bucs' opening drive, the Panthers took the lead courtesy of tight end Colin Thompson's first career touchdown on his first career NFL touch as he hauled in a seven-yard pass from Bridgewater.

Brady replied with a five-yard touchdown pass to Cameron Brate in tight coverage on the goalline, making amends for an overthrown back shoulder fade to an open Antonio Brown for a would-be score.

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Excellent play-design then saw the Panthers exploit the Bucs defense's blitz as DJ Moore made use of blockers ahead for a 14-yard touchdown catch-and-run.

DJ Moore follows the blocks for a 14-yard touchdown

The Bucs were forced to settle for a 23-yard field goal from Ryan Succop in response after Brady had failed to connect with Mike Evans in the end zone, before the Panthers' 10-play drive also ended in a 46-yard Joey Slye field goal.

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It was all square at 17-17 late in the half when Evans produced strong hands and neat footwork to stay inbounds for a three-yard touchdown catch to cap a drive that had seen Brady and Rob Gronkowski link up for 44 yards.

  • Panthers stats: Teddy Bridgewater, 18/24, 136 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
  • Rushing leader: Mike Davis, 7 carries, 32 yards
  • Receiving leader: DJ Moore, four catches, 96 yards, 1 TD
Watch as Ronald Jones takes it to the house for a franchise-record 98 yard rushing touchdown

Succop's 24-yard field goal handed Tampa the lead for the first time, which was extended moments later when Jones punched a hole before racing away for a 98-yard rushing touchdown - the longest in franchise history.

The Bucs strengthened their grip on the next drive as Jason Pierre-Paul intercepted Bridgewater to set up a drive ending in a 21-yard Succop field goal.

Carolina had enjoyed success on the fake punt in recent weeks, but the Bucs refused to be fooled as punter Joseph Charlton was stuffed while attempting to run it on fourth-and-five from the Panthers' own 40, from which Tampa went on to kick a 40-yard field goal.

Scoring summary

FIRST QUARTER
Buccaneers 0-7 Panthers Teddy Bridgewater seven-yard TD pass to Colin Thompson (extra point)
Buccaneers 7-7 Panthers Tom Brady five-yard TD pass to Cameron Brate (extra point)
Buccaneers 7-14 Panthers Teddy Bridgewater 14-yard TD pass to DJ Moore (extra point)
SECOND QUARTER
Buccaneers 10-14 Panthers Ryan Succop 23-yard field goal
Buccaneers 10-17 Panthers Joey Slye 46-yard field goal
Buccaneers 17-17 Panthers Tom Brady three-yard TD pass to Mike Evans (extra point)
THIRD QUARTER
Buccaneers 20-17 Panthers Ryan Succop 24-yard field goal
Buccaneers 26-17 Panthers Ronald Jones 98-yard rushing TD
Buccaneers 29-17 Panthers Ryan Succop 21-yard field goal
FOURTH QUARTER
Buccaneers 32-17 Panthers Ryan Succop 40-yard field goal
Buccaneers 32-23 Panthers Teddy Bridgewater three-yard rushing TD
Buccaneers 39-23 Panthers Tom Brady one-yard rushing TD (extra point)
Buccaneers 46-23 Panthers Tom Brady seven-yard TD pass to Rob Gronkowski (extra point)
Brady finds Gronk to add to the Bucs' lead late on

Bridgewater sparked hopes of a revival by stretching over for a three-yard touchdown after Trenton Cannon's 98-yard kickoff return, however, it remained a two-score game as the Panthers failed to convert the two-point attempt.

Brady snuck over for a one-yard touchdown to move the Bucs closer to victory, before floating a seven-yard score to Gronkowski as the Panthers removed Bridgewater from the game to receive treatment on a right knee problem.

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