National Football League
Tampa Bay 27, Carolina 21
When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, November 18, 2012
Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
Temperature: 53°
Head Official: Bill Leavy
Attendance: 72603


Buccaneers 27, Panthers 21 (OT):
Josh Freeman threw a touchdown pass to Vincent Jackson with 12 seconds left in regulation and another to Dallas Clark in overtime to help visiting Tampa Bay rally past Carolina.

The Panthers (2-8) took a 21-10 lead on Newton's 29-yard scoring strike to Brandon LaFell with 6:06 left, but the defense that had been so dominant all day was unable to come up with a stop down the stretch.

Freeman, who threw two early interceptions, hit Jackson for a 24-yard touchdown and hooked up with him again for the 2-point conversion to forge a 21-21 tie. He then led the Bucs (6-4) 80 yards in eight plays and hit Clark for a 15-yard score on the first possession of overtime to give Tampa Bay its fourth straight win and fifth in six games.

The Buccaneers scored on two of their first three possessions to take a 10-0 lead, but Captain Munnerlyn's 74-yard interception return for a touchdown turned the tide with 48 seconds left in the first quarter. Jonathan Stewart's 1-yard touchdown run - his first of the season - gave Carolina a 14-10 lead with 8:58 left in the half.

Tampa Bay missed an opportunity to go back in front early in the fourth quarter, but Doug Martin fumbled into the end zone - on fourth-and-inches from the 2-yard line - and the Panthers recovered for a touchback. Carolina answered with a seven-play, 80-yard drive capped by Newton's touchdown pass to LaFell.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Martin (138 rushing, 23 receiving) has gone over 100 yards from scrimmage in seven straight games, tying the team record set by James Wilder in 1984. The rookie also went over 1,000 yards for the season. … Munnerlyn's interception that went for a touchdown snapped a streak of 161 passes without a pick for Freeman. … Panthers WR Steve Smith had five catches for 61 yards, extending his franchise-record streak of consecutive games with a reception to 85.

Top Game Performances
Rushing
Tampa Bay   Carolina
Doug Martin Player Jonathan Stewart
24 Attempts 15
138 Yards 43
5.8 Avg Yards 2.9
0 Touchdowns 1
27 Long 11
Receiving
Tampa Bay   Carolina
Vincent Jackson Player Brandon LaFell
6 Receptions 5
94 Yards 93
15.7 Avg Yards 18.6
1 Touchdowns 1
24 Long 29
Team Stats Summary
 
  Yards Scoring Defense
Team Tot Rus Pas TD FG INT Sck FF
Tampa Bay 403 167 236 3 2 0 2.0 1
Carolina 331 97 234 3 0 2 1.0 1
Upcoming Games
  • Carolina will play their next game on the road against Philadelphia. The Panthers have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .000 after a loss.
  • Tampa Bay will play their next game at home against Atlanta. The Buccaneers have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .000 after a loss.