In a tightly contested matchup in Week 7 of the 2026 season, the Carolina Panthers held off the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a final score of 13-7. This victory enhances the Panthers' playoff hopes, while the Buccaneers face increasing pressure to turn their season around. Bryce Young led the charge for Carolina, throwing for 200 yards to guide the offense, while Chuba Hubbard showcased his skills on the ground with 83 rushing yards. On the other side, Baker Mayfield found the end zone once but struggled to keep pace, finishing with limited offensive support as Emeka Egbuka shone with 101 receiving yards. Defensively, the Panthers were formidable, with Chau Smith-Wade making seven tackles to anchor the unit. Jaelan Phillips was a standout, recording two sacks that disrupted the Buccaneers' offense at crucial moments. The turning point came late in the game when Phillips’ pressure on Mayfield forced a turnover, allowing Carolina to maintain their lead and secure the win.