TAMPA, Fla. -- Derek Anderson filled in nicely for injured Cam Newton, throwing for 230 yards and two touchdowns Sunday to lead the Carolina Panthers to a 20-14 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Despite rallying with two late TDs, it was an ugly debut for the Bucs (0-1) under coach Lovie Smith. The defense applied little pressure on Anderson, and an offense that was among the worst in the NFL in 2013 showed few signs of improvement until midway through the fourth quarter.
With Newton cheering from the sideline after being held out because of a rib injury suffered in preseason, Anderson completed 24 of 34 passes with no interceptions and one sack. The 10th-year pro tossed threw for TDs of 5 yards to Greg Olsen and 26 yards to rookie Kelvin Benjamin.
Carolina's defense did its part, too.
Relive Kelvin Benjamin's performance against the Buccaneers with Game Rewind
Copyright 2014 by The Associated Press
