The Tampa Bay Buccaneers took a lot of frustration out on the Carolina Panthers on Sunday in their season-saving 43-13 victory at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. 

The offense, defense, and special teams all dominated and were able to make huge plays to ensure the final result would never be in doubt.

With the dominant win, the Bucs have hope for their season once again. They are only 1.5 games behind the Panthers for first place in the NFC South and finally showed what they are capable of when they play a complete game.

There were a lot of great individual performances from the Bucs on Sunday that helped contribute to what may have been Tampa's best game since Todd Bowles became head coach. 

There were also a couple of disappointing showings against Carolina. Not necessarily that anyone played poorly, just that some guys won’t be featured in what was basically a 60-minute highlight reel. 

Here are my five winners and two losers from Tampa’s huge win over the Panthers:

1. The offensive line: The Bucs much-maligned offensive line, which was expected to be possibly the NFL’s best, was absolutely dominant on Sunday. 

After falling well short of expectations through six games, the dominant line most expected finally arrived. Before Sunday, the line had allowed 22 sacks but gave up zero against Carolina (albeit in only 11 passing attempts). 

The line also paved the road for the Bucs to rush for 258 yards, the third-most in franchise history. Tampa also had an incredible 171 rushing yards before contact, the most in the NFL this season. 

If this is a preview of how the line will play the rest of the season, the Bucs’ offense could really take off. 

2. YaYa Diaby: After leading the team in sacks last year, Diaby went the first six games of this season without one. Many predicted 2026 would be a career year for Diaby, just in time for his upcoming free agency. His slow start to the season was likely costing him a lot of money. 

That all changed on Sunday. Diaby was an absolute beast. He recorded his first three sacks of the season. It was a game-wrecking performance from Diaby. 

3. The running backs: Not only did the Bucs rush for 258 yards, but they were able to spread the wealth around to all three of their running backs. 

Bucky Irving led the way with 106 yards on 24 carries. He had two touchdowns. It was the second multi-score game of his career, and both have come in the last three weeks. Irving is becoming a star and has been the offense’s best player all year. 

Kenny Gainwell finally had a breakout game. After being the team’s biggest offensive free-agent signing, he only had a total of 19 carries for 61 yards all season before Sunday. 

Against the Panthers, Gainwell ran 14 times for 88 yards and showed why the Bucs were so excited to pair him with Irving. 

Even Sean Tucker got in on the fun with seven carries for 52 yards, including a 46-yard touchdown. 

4. Zyon McCollum: Tampa’s top cornerback continued his stellar play and helped shut down Carolina’s top-ranked passing offense. 

McCollum got his first interception in what has been an All-Pro-caliber season. He was a major factor in holding Bryce Young, who was averaging 295 yards per game, to only 163 yards and a 6.2 QBR. He also ran back a blocked extra point for two points. 

5. Tykee Smith: Smith had his own monster of a game against Carolina. He had seven tackles, had Tampa’s other interception, and also blocked the extra point McCollum returned for two points. 

Smith doesn’t get the attention that Antoine Winfield Jr. receives, but he reminded everyone how impactful he can be against the Panthers. 

1. Ted Hurst: With Emeka Egbuka out against Carolina, there was a lot of hope that Hurst would have a breakout game. 

Instead, the Bucs ran the ball 49 times and only attempted 11 passes all game. With a one-dimensional offense due to Mayfield’s injured thumb and the extreme success of the rushing attack, Hurst was a victim of circumstance and was held without a catch. 

Hurst’s breakout will have to wait at least one more week. 

2. Rueben Bain Jr.: After recording his first-career sack last week, Bain wasn’t able to build on it against the Panthers. 

The Bucs tallied five sacks for the second straight game, but Bain was held to one assisted tackle in Tampa’s dominant defensive showing.