[7] However, the rivalry did not develop until 2002, when the Buccaneers and Panthers were placed in the newly formed NFC South division, resulting in two meetings annually.

The matchup immediately became popular, and by many accounts intensified into a heated rivalry starting in 2003, as the Buccaneers and Panthers were contenders for the NFC South title for much of the early-to-mid 2000s.

[5] Return specialist Clifton Smith suffered concussions in both meetings in 2009,[5][16] the first from a high hit by Dante Wesley, who was subsequently ejected and suspended for one game.

In 2002, Tampa Bay swept the regular season series en route to their Super Bowl victory.

On the last play of regulation, Brad Johnson connected to Keenan McCardell for a dramatic game-tying touchdown pass in the back of the endzone time expired.

Both teams traded possessions, and with just over 6 minutes left in the overtime period, Tampa Bay punted to Carolina.

The Buccaneer defense, however, failed to keep Carolina at bay, and Jake Delhomme swiftly led the Panthers to a game-winning touchdown with 1:11 left.

Both Carolina and Tampa Bay were playoff contenders in 2005, and battled neck-and-neck all season for the NFC South division title.

It was Carolina's fifth straight victory against Tampa Bay, the longest winning streak between the two teams in the series' history.

With 11:47 remaining in the fourth quarter, Ronde Barber intercepted Jake Delhomme, which set up a game-icing touchdown by Carnell Williams.

Late in the third quarter, Tampa Bay quarterback Chris Simms was hit on a two-yard bootleg play.

Initially diagnosed as bruised ribs, Simms returned minutes later to lead a go-ahead field goal drive.

With only six seconds left in regulation, Panthers kicker John Kasay kicked a game-winning field goal, and Carolina won 26–24.

It was discovered that he had suffered a ruptured spleen, was experiencing internal bleeding, and required immediate emergency surgery.

In the first meeting, Tampa Bay wore their orange throwback uniforms, but were without Josh Freeman due to injury.

[20] Three weeks later, Newton set the NFL rookie passing yards record,[21] also against Tampa Bay, routing the Buccaneers 48–16.

Tampa Bay won the coin toss, and proceeded to score an 80-yard touchdown drive on the first possession, winning 27–21.

After missing two attempts earlier in the game, Roberto Aguayo kicked a 38-yard game-winning field goal as time expired.

The Buccaneers secured the victory when the Panthers failed on a game-winning two-point conversion attempt with 17 seconds remaining in regulation.

Tampa Bay swept the Panthers again, winning the NFC South in 2021, the first time sweeping in consecutive seasons.

Tom Brady threw three touchdown passes to Mike Evans, and won the game 30–24, clinching the division title.