Panthers 37, Buccaneers 23
TAMPA -- The Carolina Panthers converted five turnovers from Tampa Bay rookie quarterback Jameis Winston into 27 points, cruising to a 4-0 record with a 37-23 win over the Buccaneers on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium.
Quarterback Cam Newton threw two touchdown passes to wide receiver Ted Ginn, and cornerback Josh Norman intercepted two Winston passes, returning one for a touchdown. Just as the Bucs (1-3) looked to get close before halftime, rookie kicker Kyle Brindza missed two straight field goals before the Panthers pulled away.
For the second straight home game, Winston's first pass attempt was intercepted and returned for a touchdown, this one 46 yards by Norman, who has four INTs and two pick-sixes in a dominant first four games of the season. The Bucs had fumbled the snap on the second play of the game, leading to a Graham Gano field goal, and Carolina had a 10-0 lead just five minutes into the game.
Down 17-10 just before half, the Bucs drove inside the Carolina 15, only to see Brindza miss a 29-yard kick just before halftime. The Bucs forced a fumble on the first play of the second half, but couldn't convert that to points as Brindza missed again, from 43 yards.
The next time the Panthers fumbled, they got points out of it -- running back Jonathan Stewart fumbled, only to see it caught in mid-air by tight end Ed Dickson, who went 57 yards for a touchdown. After another Winston interception, the Panthers made it a 31-10 lead with another Newton-Ginn touchdown.
Running back Doug Martin ran the ball well for the Bucs -- 106 yards on 20 carries entering the fourth quarter -- but the Bucs couldn't overcome their own turnovers. Winston was a 16 of 26 for 185 yards after three quarters, but his three INTs all led to Panthers touchdowns.
Carolina was outgained by nearly 100 yards through three quarters, but had the easy win by not making mistakes. Newton, who was injured for both Carolina wins against the Bucs last season, was 10 of 18 for 121 yards and two touchdowns entering the fourth.
NOTES: Former Buccaneers FB Mike Alstott was honored at halftime and inducted into the team's Ring of Honor. ... The Bucs played without several key players, with CB Johnthan Banks, C Evan Smith, TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins among the inactives due to injury. ... The Bucs' 11-game home losing streak is its longest since the Bucs' first 13 home games in 1976-77. ... Carolina has won five straight games against the Bucs.