Around the League writer Dan Hanzus has his takeaways from the game:
For more from Week 1:
»
Visit Around the League
» The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were in rollover mode for the last two months of the 2011 season, but a different Buccaneers team showed up Sunday with Greg Schiano at the helm, coming away with a 16-10 win over the Carolina Panthers.
»Doug Martin is officially El Hombre in Schiano's offense. The rookie was the bell-cow back on Sunday, rushing 24 times for 95 yards. His final run -- a 15-yard burst with just over two minutes to play -- sealed the game.
»Josh Freeman threw for 138 yards, including just 16 in the second half. But he didn't turn the ball over and hooked up with Vincent Jackson for a crucial first down late in the game.
» The Panthers rushed for 10 yards ... total. That tied an all-time franchise low. That's not good.
» Quiet game for Panthers first-round draft pick Luke Kuechly, who made just two tackles. Middle linebacker Jon Beason -- in his first game back after tearing his Achilles tendon in 2011 -- had a game-high nine tackles.
»Cam Newton (23 of 33, 303 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs) appeared to press as he attempted to carry the Panthers by himself. Carolina's offensive line regularly was overwhelmed by the Bucs' push.
» Schiano deserves a ton of credit here. The Bucs looked transformed since the last time we saw them. Less Youngry, more Dungy.