Buccaneers captains, Josh Freeman, Vincent Jackson, Gerald McCoy, Ronde Barber, Adam Hayward and Andrew Economos, took to the center of the field for the first coin toss of the season. Tampa Bay won the toss and deferred. Carolina will receive the opening kickoff.

Matt Koenen’s kickoff went out of the end zone for a touchback. The Carolina Panthers will start the first quarter from their own 20-yard line.