Carolina Panthers to evaluate run defense after 43-13 loss
CHARLOTTE The Carolina Panthers said they will move quickly to evaluate breakdowns in their run defense after yielding 258 rushing yards in a 43-13 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Oct. 25, 2026. The defeat left Carolina even at 3-3 and exposed a run front that opponents are likely to target again. Coach Dave Canales and defensive leaders emphasized the need to identify the technical and execution issues that led to the big day on the ground.
The Buccaneers ran 49 times, tied for the most by a Panthers opponent, and averaged 5.3 yards per carry in the rout. Most of the ground yardage came from Bucky Irving, who finished with 106 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries. Tampa Bay converted Panthers turnovers into 20 points and added two more after a blocked point-after attempt, allowing the Buccaneers to protect Baker Mayfield and stick with the ground game.
Linebacker Bobby Okereke said the Buccaneers built momentum early and demanded better defensive execution, adding, “We got to stop the bleeding” as teams will study the tape and try to exploit the same weaknesses. Defensive lineman Bobby Brown III noted that Tampa Bay attempted only 11 passes, seven completions and multiple screens, and admitted the unit did not do enough to force more throws. Derrick Brown flagged the need to contain edge runs and limit cutbacks, and Canales said the calls were sound but execution on gap fits and tackling fell short.
The Panthers began recovery and preparation within an hour of the game as they face a quick turnaround for a Thursday night game against the Green Bay Packers, who now feature running back Josh Jacobs. Carolina officials said the coaching staff will study the film and focus on technique and assignment football to prevent a repeat. The team emphasized urgency because opponents in a copycat league will try to replicate what worked for Tampa Bay.
NFL Sports Blog Take
This outing put a spotlight on clear run defense vulnerabilities that are fixable but urgent. The facts from Sunday’s game 258 rushing yards allowed, 49 carries for Tampa Bay and a 5.3-yard average show the problem was more about consistency and technique than schematic misalignment, as Canales said. With a short week and a matchup looming against a team carrying a feature back in Josh Jacobs, Carolina must concentrate on gap integrity, tackling fundamentals and edge containment to avoid becoming a repeat target in a league that copies success quickly.