Buccaneers defense steps up in big way in win over Panthers

Down four starters in the secondary, a banged up Buccaneers defense forced three turnovers in an upset victory over the Carolina Panthers.

Andrew Adams signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the middle of the season. On paper, it looked like he would get a handful of snaps throughout the season.

No one could have imagined that he would intercept a former MVP three times in a game. That’s what Adams was able to do in a 24-17 win over the Carolina Panthers.

The Bucs entered Sunday’s game without three of their starting cornerbacks. When safety Justin Evans also left the game with an injury, it would be up to the backups to get the job done. Adams and company answered the call.

The secondary picked off Newton four times as Javien Elliot and Adams combined for the interceptions. Newton was also sacked four times as Tampa Bay linebackers blitzed from the second level.

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The Buccaneers offense didn’t make the defenses life any easier. The Panthers received chance after chance in the fourth quarter. With just over a minute left, Carolina received two chances at deep shots towards the end zone.

Tampa Bay was able to bat the ball away twice, a fitting ending of a dominant defensive performance.

With over two minutes left to play and on the Buccaneers side of the field, Newton was on the verge of tying up the game. However, Jason Pierre-Paul had other ideas.

Pierre-Paul earned his 11.5 sack of the season to seal the deal for Tampa Bay.

Winston was under control on Sunday. With pressure in his face throughout the day, Winston didn’t turn the ball over. He finished the day completing 20 of 30 passes for 249 and two touchdowns.

Thankfully, Andrew Adams had other plans. Thanks to pressure from Gerald McCoy, Adams came down with his second interception of the day.

The Bucs offense couldn’t get out of its way in the fourth quarter. A pair of offensive pass interference calls on Mike Evans, plus a holding penalty on struggling guard Caleb Benenoch, the Panthers were in a position to tie the game.

The Bucs were in total control in the first half. The defense stood tall, holding Carolina to just seven points. While the offense stayed under control, Winston led

In the first quarter, Tampa Bay showed off the good and the bad on the defensive side of the ball. Christian McCaffrey broke a 53-yard run to set Carolina up for their first score, but the defense looked stellar before the long rush.

The Bucs could not have dreamed of a better start to the game. On Cam Newton‘s first pass attempt, Lavonte David tipped the ball in the air, and it landed in the hands of safety Andrew Adams to set the Bucs up to extend their early lead.

Before the turnover, Jameis Winston led the offense down the field on an impressive 11-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. Winston hit Adam Humphries to match Josh Freeman‘s record for most touchdowns in a Buccaneers uniform (80).