Bucs beat Panthers 41-17, earn No. 2 playoff seeding in NFC

Carolina Panthers running back Ameer Abdullah (20) dives for yardage during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Le'Veon Bell (6) scores on a 1-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Tom Brady during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)

Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule talks to down judge Patrick Turner (13) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Ke'Shawn Vaughn (21) scores on a 2-yard run against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) gets hit by Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Jermaine Carter (4) after a catch during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)

Carolina Panthers defensive end Darryl Johnson (92) flies over Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) after Evans made a catch during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Ke'Shawn Vaughn (21) celebrates his score against the Carolina Panthers with wide receiver Tyler Johnson (18) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)