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Grading the Panthers defense vs. Tampa Bay

By Brandon Scott

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 24: Shaq Green-Thompson #54 of the Carolina Panthers celebrates after a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 24: Shaq Green-Thompson #54 of the Carolina Panthers celebrates after a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers v Carolina Panthers
CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 24: Julius Peppers #90 of the Carolina Panthers reacts after a play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Defensive Line: A

The defensive line dominated Tampa Bay at the point of attack all game long. Defensive end Julius Peppers enjoyed an especially nice afternoon with three tackles, one sack and two fumble recoveries.

Fellow lineman Bryan Cox recovered the other Winston fumble in addition to recording a tackle and 13-yard kickoff return at one point. The remainder of the line also played well as the unit sacked Winston five times total.

Both Wes Horton and Kawann Short added one and a half sacks, while Star Lotulelei and Mario Addison combined for a single takedown of Winston. Lotulelei did cost Carolina with an uncharacteristic penalty midway through the fourth quarter. Instead of receiving two points and the ball due to a hold in the end zone, his unnecessary roughness penalty negated the Tampa Bay infraction.

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