Sep 27, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell (1) carries the ball against the Minnesota Vikings during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
Sep 27, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell (1) carries the ball against the Minnesota Vikings during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Not even the most rosy optimistic Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan could have predicted the score of the Week 7 rivalry matchup against the Carolina Panthers, as the Bucs completely trounced their rivals on the road with a 43-13 victory. They delivered by far their best offensive performance of the season despite only throwing the ball 11 times for 64 yards in Baker Mayfield's return from injury.
Just like in their first win of the season, the Buccaneers took home the bacon by pounding the rock down the throat of the Panthers defense. They were relentless about it, even moreso than they were a couple of weeks ago in primetime against the Dallas Cowboys when Bucky Irving scampered for 165 rushing yards.
Irving led the way, of course, as the feature back for the Buccaneers with 106 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries. But Tampa Bay found success by finally getting all three of their running backs involved, rushing for a whopping 258 yards as a team.
The Buccaneers need to keep utilizing all of their running backs
The Buccaneers quietly have one of the deepest, most potent running back rooms in the NFL.
Sean Tucker was a monster down the stretch last season even when the Bucs struggled with key players like Irving out injured, and he had another big game with 7 carries, turning them into 52 yards and a touchdown against a defense that was as SAWFT as Enzo Amore.
And Tucker wasn't even the best of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers backup running backs. Sleeper free agent signing Kenny Gainwell had an even better 2025 season over in Pittsburgh as Aaron Rodgers' secret weapon out of the backfield, and while a big reason why the Buccaneers signed him was his work in the passing game to replace Rachaad White, he showed he can pound the rock himself.
Gainwell had 14 carries for 88 yards in what was by far his best game as a Buccaneer, and after only generating 61 yards on 19 carries coming into this game, Gainwell finally showed the quailty he has on the ground.
The Buccaneers have a real three-headed rushing attack that goes beyond Bucky Irving, and until defenses prove they can stop them, it's better to mix and match all three en route to victory. And the Bucs honestly should have picked up on this right at the start of the season. Better late than never, though.