Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers: 2024 Week 13 Recap

Game story

In Week 13 of the 2024 NFL season on 2024-12-01, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers took care of business against the Carolina Panthers, pulling away with a 26–23 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 26 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

B. Young (Carolina Panthers) paced the passing game, with +6.79 total EPA, and +3.0% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, B. Young (Carolina Panthers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +6.79 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+37.7% win probability) landed in overtime when Tampa Bay Buccaneers changed the game: (3:44) (Shotgun) 1-R.White left end pushed ob at CAR 10 for 38 yards (26-C.Smith-Wade).

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 B. Young · Carolina Panthers · Passing · +6.79 total EPA · 52 snaps · +0.13 EPA/play
2. 2 M. Evans · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +6.45 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.54 EPA/play
3. 3 A. Thielen · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +6.23 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.62 EPA/play
4. 4 B. Irving · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Rushing · +4.78 total EPA · 25 snaps · +0.19 EPA/play
5. 5 T. Tremble · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +3.12 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.39 EPA/play
6. 6 B. Irving · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +2.35 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.78 EPA/play
7. 7 S. Shepard · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +2.27 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.32 EPA/play
8. 8 R. White · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Rushing · +1.72 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.16 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers — M. Evans (B. Mayfield pass) (Q1 49:34)
• Carolina Panthers — B. Young (Q2 37:54)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers — B. Irving (Q4 8:58)
• Carolina Panthers — A. Thielen (B. Young pass) (Q4 0:36)

Field goals

• Carolina Panthers — E. Pineiro (Q1 45:52)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers — C. McLaughlin (Q2 33:42)
• Carolina Panthers — E. Pineiro (Q2 30:07)
• Carolina Panthers — E. Pineiro (Q2 30:05)
• Carolina Panthers — E. Pineiro (Q3 15:22)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers — C. McLaughlin (Q4 3:08)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers — T. Gill (Q4 3:05)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers — C. McLaughlin (Q4 0:03)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers — unlisted player (Q4 0:00)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers — C. McLaughlin (OT 2:54)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 7–3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the CAR 2 (Q1 49:34) — (4:34) 6-B.Mayfield pass short left to 13-M.Evans for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q1 49:29) — 4-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-16-T.Gill.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the TB 29 (Q1 45:52) — (:52) 4-E.Pineiro 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-J.Hekker..

The second quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 13–3. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the TB 10 (Q2 37:54) — (7:54) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young scrambles left end for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the TB 15 (Q2 37:45) — 4-E.Pineiro extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-J.Hekker.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the CAR 9 (Q2 33:42) — (3:42) 4-C.McLaughlin 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-16-T.Gill.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the TB 8 (Q2 30:07) — (:07) 4-E.Pineiro 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-J.Hekker.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the CAR 35 (Q2 30:05).

The third quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 3–0. Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the TB 4 (Q3 15:22) — (:22) 4-E.Pineiro 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-J.Hekker..

The fourth quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 19–7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the CAR 6 (Q4 8:58) — (8:58) 7-B.Irving left tackle for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q4 8:53) — 4-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-16-T.Gill.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the CAR 8 (Q4 3:08) — (3:08) 4-C.McLaughlin 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-16-T.Gill.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the TB 35 (Q4 3:05); Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the TB 25 (Q4 0:36) — (:36) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young pass deep right to 19-A.Thielen for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the TB 15 (Q4 0:30) — 4-E.Pineiro extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-J.Hekker.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the CAR 34 (Q4 0:03) — (:03) 4-C.McLaughlin 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-16-T.Gill.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal (Q4 0:00) — END QUARTER 4.

Overtime: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 3–0. Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the CAR 12 (OT 2:54) — (2:54) 4-C.McLaughlin 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-16-T.Gill..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (OT 3:44) — (3:44) (Shotgun) 1-R.White left end pushed ob at CAR 10 for 38 yards (26-C.Smith-Wade). [WPA +37.7% · EPA +2.52]
• Carolina Panthers (Q4 0:36) — (:36) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young pass deep right to 19-A.Thielen for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +32.0% · EPA +3.56]
• Carolina Panthers (OT 5:54) — (5:54) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young pass deep left to 19-A.Thielen to TB 34 for 16 yards (37-T.Thomas) [0-Y.Diaby]. [WPA +24.7% · EPA +1.77]
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 0:03) — (:03) 4-C.McLaughlin 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-16-T.Gill. [WPA +21.9% · EPA +1.16]
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (OT 7:59) — (7:59) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield sacked at CAR 44 for -8 yards (56-T.Wallace). [WPA -21.8% · EPA -1.80]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q3 19:19) — (4:19) 6-B.Mayfield pass short left intended for 15-J.McMillan INTERCEPTED by 25-X.Woods at CAR 47. 25-X.Woods ran ob at TB 20 for 33 yards (78-T.Wirfs). ** Injury Update: TB-6-B.Mayfield has returned [WPA -16.0% · EPA -6.42]
• Carolina Panthers (OT 5:11) — (5:11) 30-C.Hubbard up the middle to TB 30 for 4 yards (98-A.Nelson). FUMBLES (98-A.Nelson), RECOVERED by TB-0-Y.Diaby at TB 29. [WPA -16.9% · EPA -4.53]
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q2 30:50) — (:50) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short right intended for 88-C.Otton INTERCEPTED by 26-C.Smith-Wade [7-J.Clowney] at CAR 40. 26-C.Smith-Wade to CAR 43 for 3 yards (88-C.Otton). [WPA -15.2% · EPA -3.71]
• Carolina Panthers (Q2 43:28) — (13:28) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young pass deep right to 82-T.Tremble to TB 25 for 38 yards (27-Z.McCollum). [WPA +15.0% · EPA +3.68]

Quarterback report card

B.Young led all passers in efficiency for Carolina Panthers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• B.Young (Carolina Panthers) · 52 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · +3.0% CPOE · +0.13 EPA/play · +6.79 total EPA
• B.Mayfield (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) · 40 dropbacks · 52.5% completion · -2.3% CPOE · -0.13 EPA/play · -5.27 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Tampa Bay Buccaneers -0.03, Carolina Panthers -0.08) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Carolina Panthers: 14 drives, -6.72 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 15 drives, -2.73 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• B. Young (Carolina Panthers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q1 49:34 · CAR 2 · Score 6-0
   (4:34) 6-B.Mayfield pass short left to 13-M.Evans for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q1 49:29 · CAR 15 · Score 7-0
   4-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-16-T.Gill.
3. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q1 45:52 · TB 29 · Score 7-3
   (:52) 4-E.Pineiro 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-J.Hekker.
4. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q2 37:54 · TB 10 · Score 7-9
   (7:54) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young scrambles left end for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q2 37:45 · TB 15 · Score 7-10
   4-E.Pineiro extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-J.Hekker.
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q2 33:42 · CAR 9 · Score 10-10
   (3:42) 4-C.McLaughlin 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-16-T.Gill.
7. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q2 30:07 · TB 8 · Score 10-13
   (:07) 4-E.Pineiro 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-J.Hekker.
8. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q2 30:05 · CAR 35 · Score 10-13
   4-E.Pineiro kicks 68 yards from CAR 35 to TB -3. 7-B.Irving to TB 17 for 20 yards (32-L.Johnson). PENALTY on CAR-42-S.Franklin, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards,
9. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q3 15:22 · TB 4 · Score 10-16
   (:22) 4-E.Pineiro 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-J.Hekker.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q4 8:58 · CAR 6 · Score 16-16
    (8:58) 7-B.Irving left tackle for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q4 8:53 · CAR 15 · Score 17-16
    4-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-16-T.Gill.
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q4 3:08 · CAR 8 · Score 20-16
    (3:08) 4-C.McLaughlin 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-16-T.Gill.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q4 3:05 · TB 35 · Score 20-16
    16-T.Gill kicks 43 yards from TB 35 to CAR 22, short of landing zone. PENALTY on TB-16-T.Gill, Kickoff Short of Landing Zone, placed at CAR 40.
14. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q4 0:36 · TB 25 · Score 20-22
    (:36) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young pass deep right to 19-A.Thielen for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q4 0:30 · TB 15 · Score 20-23
    4-E.Pineiro extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-J.Hekker.
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q4 0:03 · CAR 34 · Score 23-23
    (:03) 4-C.McLaughlin 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-16-T.Gill.
17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q4 0:00 · Score 23-23
    END QUARTER 4
18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — OT 2:54 · CAR 12 · Score 26-23
    (2:54) 4-C.McLaughlin 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-16-T.Gill.