In a hard-fought battle, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers narrowly defeated the Carolina Panthers 23-20 in Week 12 of the 2026 season. With playoff implications on the line, both teams fought for every yard, but it was the Buccaneers who managed to hold on for the win at home. Bryce Young had a standout performance for the Panthers, throwing for 308 yards and two touchdowns, showcasing his ability to lead his team effectively. Meanwhile, Bucky Irving led the ground game for Tampa Bay with 71 rushing yards, providing crucial support to the offense. Chris Brazzell II was a bright spot for Carolina as well, racking up 134 receiving yards and keeping the Buccaneers' defense on high alert throughout the game. Defensively, Tykee Smith led the way for Tampa Bay with eight total tackles, making key stops to stifle the Panthers' momentum. The turning point came when Jacob Parrish intercepted a pass late in the fourth quarter, setting up a scoring drive that ultimately secured the victory for the Buccaneers. Despite Derrick Brown's impressive 1.5 sacks for Carolina, it was Tampa Bay's defensive resilience that made the difference in this closely contested matchup.