The Carolina Panthers allowed a franchise-record 59 points in their 2026 regular-season opener. And yet, that still won't go down as their most embarrassing performance of the year.
Those honors, as long as there isn't another complete meltdown, belong to Sunday's loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Carolina committed four turnovers, allowed over 250 rushing yards to a one-dimensional offense and looked anything but prepared for their NFC South showdown.
Nevertheless, let's try to find ourselves some bright spots . . . while highlighting the low ones.
Here are our studs and duds from the 43-13 defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
Dud: QB Bryce Young
Young turned in his first real stinker of what's been an otherwise dazzling campaign. He completed 14 of his 27 passes for
a season-low 163 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions.
Dud: Offensive line
Oh, Young also had a fumble off a strip-sack. That turnover turned over into a scoop-and-score for the Bucs.
Carolina's offensive line continued its struggles and allowed five sacks of Young.
Stud: TE Darren Waller
Waller reeled in the touchdown from Young, a 50-yard score, to give the Panthers their first points.
Happy National Tight Ends Day!
Stud: RB Anthony "Tre" Tyus III
Tyus was responsible for Carolina's other touchdown. Although that came in garbage time, it was the first of his NFL career.
Congrats, Tre!
Dud: Run defense (or all the defense)
Hampered by injuries to starting quarterback Baker Mayfield and wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, the Bucs decided to stay grounded. But the Panthers couldn't stop their simple approach, allowing a whopping 262 yards and three touchdowns on 46 designed runs.
Dud: CB Akayleb Evans
Evans was targeted (and beat) whenever Tampa did pass—including on a 14-yard touchdown to end the first half. He was also charged with a pass interference penalty.
While he may be a valued special teams contributor, Evans should not be starting in this secondary.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Studs and duds from Panthers' Week 7 loss to Buccaneers
