TAMPA, Fla. — The Bucs built an early three-touchdown lead, then pulled away late to beat the Carolina Panthers 31-17 in their home opener Sunday at Raymond James Stadium.
Tom Brady connected with Mike Evans seven times for 104 yards and a 23-yard touchdown. Brady completed 23 of 35 passes for 217 yards, including a 36-yard flea flicker to Justin Watson.
Jordan Whitehead intercepted a pass and stopped a fake punt attempt, Carlton Davis had an interception and Jason Pierre-Paul and Lavonte Davis recovered fumbles to lead the Bucs defense.
Behind 21-0 at halftime, the Panthers closed the gap to 21-14 thanks to a pair of Christian McCaffrey touchdown runs. But the Bucs defense tightened up, and Leonard Fournette’s 46-yard touchdown run — his second of the game — put the game away in the closing minutes.
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