In a high-stakes Week 12 matchup, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers topped the Carolina Panthers 39-27, solidifying their playoff hopes as the season approaches its climax. This victory showcased Tampa Bay's offensive firepower, which proved too much for the Panthers to handle. Leading the charge for the Buccaneers was quarterback Baker Mayfield, who threw for an impressive 366 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Mike Washington Jr. added a solid ground game with 107 rushing yards, while wide receiver Emeka Egbuka shined with 135 receiving yards, creating crucial plays that kept the Panthers on their heels throughout the contest. Defensively, the Buccaneers made key stops, highlighted by Yaya Diaby's sack that disrupted the Panthers' rhythm at a critical moment. Despite Bobby Okereke's standout performance with ten total tackles for Carolina, Tampa Bay's defense managed to stifle any late-game comeback attempts. The turning point came in the fourth quarter when the Buccaneers forced a turnover, allowing them to control the clock and secure the win.