The Carolina Panthers defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by the score of 38 to 19.  Thanks for checking out my review of the Panthers at the Buc’s game. Shortly before the game we found out that Tampa Quarterback Josh Freeman was out with a shoulder injury.

I am not sure Josh Freeman would have made a difference in the Bucs versus Panthers game.Carolina came out hot and played hard even when the game was already decided. The Panthers didn’t let up and allow the Buc’s to get back in the game.

Tampa backup quarterback Josh Johnson looked a little shaky at first but played hard and got better as the game progressed. I had feared the Tampa running game but the Panthers quick lead negated that and forced Johnson to pass often.

Cam Newton had a great game against Tampa Bay. Cam Newton tied then broke the single season record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback. In a class move Cam Newton gave that record setting ball to a young lady wearing a shirt with Newton’s name on it, in the stands.

Cam Newton completed 12 of 21 passes for 204 yards, one touchdown and no turnovers against Tampa Bay.Newton also rushed for 54 yards on 14 carries and three touchdowns and even caught a 27 yard pass from Legedu Naanee.

Brandon LaFell had a nice game with three catches for 64 yards in his new starting role. Legedu Naanee caught two including a very nice touchdown pass and Steve Smith caught two for 32 yards.

Jonathan Stewart had a great game and ran with abandon against Tampa Bay. Stewart rushed for 80 yards on 14 carries and added two receptions for 19 yards. DeAngelo Williams ran for 29 yards on 11 carries.

The Carolina Panthers defense had a nice game against Josh Johnson and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Johnson was Tampa’s leading rusher with 45 yards and he was held to 229 yards, one score and one INT is the passing game.

However the fact that your three leading tacklers were defensive backs is not a good sign for the Carolina Panthers defense. Godfrey had seven tackles and two assists while Gamble added five tackles and one assist. Greg Hardy and Charles “Big Money” Johnson had three tackles each and Johnson added a sack.

I felt the Panthers had a good game against the Buccaneers and showed some team maturity. In the past Carolina had a tendency to play down to the level of their opponents. I had feared the Panthers would let down when they knew Freeman was out. Next up for the Carolina Panthers is the Atlanta Falcons.