The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were expected to put up more of a fight against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday with Baker Mayfield returning to the field for the first time since he suffered a thumb injury against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 3. 

What no one expected was for the Buccaneers to blow out the Panthers on the road in a 43-13 fashion. 

Oh, and as for Mayfield, Tampa Bay put up 43 points despite Mayfield only accounting for 64 yards passing and one yard on the ground. He attempted just 11 passes as the Buccaneers defense was all over Bryce Young and the Panthers. 

During his postgame news conference, Panthers head coach Dave Canales told reporters that he was in "shock" after the Buccaneers went up 33-6 in the first half, per Joe Person of The Athletic. Canales said he had never been a part of a lopsided half like that. 

The Buccaneers scored 26 points in the second quarter. Young had a strip-sack fumble returned for a touchdown. Two drives later, Young was intercepted, which set up a Tampa Bay touchdown eight plays later. 

Young's play early in the season put him in the NFL MVP conversation. He struggled all afternoon against the Buccaneers defense, going 14 of 27 passing for 163 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. Kenny Pickett came into the game to relieve Young. He went 3 of 4 passing for 47 yards.

Canales noted that turnovers killed the Panthers on Sunday. David Moore lost a fumble. In total, the Panthers gave up 22 points off turnovers.

The Panthers missed out on a critical opportunity to keep pace in the NFC South and shut the door on the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay, a preseason favorite to win the division, entered the game 1-5. 

The New Orleans Saints were beaten by the Pittsburgh Steelers in Paris, dropping them to 2-5. The Atlanta Falcons upset the San Francisco 49ers, claiming a 3-4 record.

At times this season, the Panthers look like the best team in the NFC South. On Sunday, they look like a team that has much to improve upon if they want to compete in the playoffs. 

The Panthers have two upcoming games that will be challenging. Carolina will travel to play the Green Bay Packers on "Thursday Night Football" in Week 8. The Panthers will then host the Denver Broncos in Week 9.