Bucky Irving runs for two TDs as the Buccaneers force four turnovers and rout the Panthers 43-13

Bucky Irving ran for 106 yards and two touchdowns, Tampa Bay forced four turnovers, and the Buccaneers beat the Carolina Panthers 43-13 on Sunday in Charlotte. Baker Mayfield, back after missing three games with a dislocated right thumb, threw only 11 passes and didn't need more.

The Bucs ran for 258 yards. Irving carried 24 times, Kenny Gainwell added 88 yards on 14 carries, and Sean Tucker broke a 46-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter for a 43-6 lead.

The game got away from Carolina in the second quarter, when Tampa Bay scored 26 points. Chase McLaughlin opened it with a 22-yard field goal for a 10-0 lead. Al-Quadin Muhammad then strip-sacked Bryce Young, and Calijah Kancey returned the fumble 32 yards for a touchdown.

Carolina answered when Young hit Darren Waller down the middle for a 50-yard touchdown, and it still lost ground. The Bucs blocked the extra point and Zyon McCollum returned it 70 yards for two points, so the score cost Carolina a net four points and left it down 19-6. Irving scored from a yard out, and Mayfield threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Tez Johnson with 4 seconds left in the half for a 33-6 lead. Tampa Bay's special teams also recovered a muffed punt by David Moore.

Mayfield finished 7 of 11 for 64 yards and the touchdown while wearing a protective glove on his right hand. The Associated Press said he is now 7-1 against Carolina, including 6-1 with Tampa Bay. Chris Godwin Jr. caught four passes for 27 yards. McLaughlin made both field goal tries and all five extra points.

Young was sacked five times and completed 14 of 27 passes for 163 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions, by McCollum and Tykee Smith. Kenny Pickett went 3 of 4 for 47 yards. Anthony Tyus III scored Carolina's other touchdown on a 12-yard run. Tetairoa McMillan caught four passes for 40 yards. The Panthers went 0 for 2 on fourth down and held the ball for just 24:03.

Panthers right tackle Taylor Moton, who missed the first four games with blood clots in his lung, was carted off in the third quarter with a left ankle/fibula injury. Gainwell briefly left with a hip injury and returned. Carolina gave Luke Kuechly his Hall of Fame ring at halftime.

The Buccaneers (2-5) host Atlanta next Sunday. The Panthers (3-3) play at Green Bay on Thursday night.