The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have headed into half time with a narrow 10-9 lead over NFC South rivals the Carolina Panthers at half time in the NFL this evening.

The home side were missing starting quarterback Cam Newton, who was injured in a car crash earlier this week, but backup Derek Anderson ensured that they got points on their opening drive, getting them into Graham Gano's field goal range.

However, the Buccaneers responded quickly, with Josh McCown picking out rookie wide receiver Mike Evans at the back of the endzone to score the opening touchdown of the game.

The Panthers cut Tampa Bay's lead shortly after when Kelvin Benjamin got the hosts back into Buccaneers territory, leaving Gano to kick another field goal.

Points-scoring chances remained limited throughout the first half, but Gano came out again to briefly put the Panthers in front.

However, Patrick Murray added three more points for the Buccaneers with the last play before the break to leave them ahead.