Buccaneers-Panthers Preview

VIDEO PLAYLIST

• Williams, Stewart Run Wild As Panthers Stake Claim

SCOUTING REPORT

Running game will be key for both Buccaneers and PanthersThis is a huge late-season matchup in the competitive NFC South. Both teams appear headed toward the postseason, but the division winner will likely get the No. 2 seed in the NFC and a first-round bye, so there is plenty at stake -- the division champion would likely not have to face the Giants until the NFC Championship Game. These teams have a lot of similarities, and while neither is overly dynamic or exciting, both are well coached and fundamentally sound and find ways to win. In a division that will go down to the wire, every game becomes critical, and this may be the most important remaining game for both teams. We may not see a high-scoring, offensive-oriented contest, but this game will be close and physical.

· Full Scouting Report

Matchup
	W-L	PF	PA	HOME	ROAD	DIV	CONF
TAM	9-7	361	323	6-2	3-5	3-3	8-4
CAR	12-4	414	329	8-0	4-4	4-2	8-4
· Complete Standings

Individual Leaders

Tampa Bay Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Johnso... 50.4 685 4 8 Leftwi... 54.2 594 4 3

Carolina Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Delhom... 57.1 1885 8 14 Moore 50.0 63 0 1

Tampa Bay Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Willia... 117 450 3.8 3 Ward 66 243 3.7 1

Carolina Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Willia... 181 982 5.4 7 Stewar... 110 509 4.6 6

Tampa Bay Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Winslo... 47 483 10.3 5 Bryant 19 269 14.2 2

Carolina Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Smith 45 599 13.3 4 Muhamm... 33 337 10.2 0

Full Player Stats: Tampa Bay | Carolina

TEAM AVERAGES & NFL RANKS
TEAM OFFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Total Yards	TAM	341.0
	CAR	350.0
Yards Passing	TAM	226.2
	CAR	197.4
Yards Rushing	TAM	114.8
	CAR	152.3
TEAM DEFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Yards Allowed	TAM	306.1
	CAR	331.2
Pass Yds Allowed	TAM	187.3
	CAR	211.7
Rush Yds Allowed	TAM	118.8
	CAR	119.5

HEAD TO HEAD MATCHUPS (SINCE 2001)
Carolina leads 9-5
Oct 12, 2008	TAM 27, @CAR 3
Dec 30, 2007	TAM 23, @CAR 31
Sep 30, 2007	TAM 20, CAR 7
Nov 13, 2006	TAM 10, CAR 24
Sep 24, 2006	TAM 24, @CAR 26
Dec 11, 2005	TAM 20, CAR 10
Nov 6, 2005	TAM 14, @CAR 34
Dec 26, 2004	TAM 20, @CAR 37
Nov 28, 2004	TAM 14, CAR 21
Nov 9, 2003	TAM 24, CAR 27
Sep 14, 2003	TAM 9, @CAR 12
Nov 17, 2002	TAM 23, @CAR 10
Oct 27, 2002	TAM 12, CAR 9

Jeff Garcia took full advantage of a chance to get back into the starting lineup when he faced Carolina in October. In fact, the veteran rarely fails to impress against the Panthers.

Garcia looks to put together yet another solid effort versus the Panthers (9-3) as he leads the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-3) on Monday night in a matchup for sole possession of first place in the NFC South.

After leading Tampa Bay to the playoffs in 2007, Garcia lost his starting job to Brian Griese in September after missing most of training camp with a calf injury and playing poorly in a season-opening loss at New Orleans.

Instead of sulking, Garcia focused on getting healthy and Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden insisted he never lost faith in him. Gruden just wanted the quarterback to revert to the player he was last season, and he gave him another chance to start when Tampa Bay faced Carolina on Oct. 12.

Garcia completed 15 of 20 passes for 173 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions in a 27-3 win, and has currently led Tampa to four straight wins.

His teams have won five in a row against the Panthers, with Garcia completing 60.4 percent of his passes for 1,178 yards and nine touchdowns against three interceptions in those games.

With his efficient play, Garcia seems to be the perfect player to lead the Buccaneers. He's completed 67.2 percent of his passes with eight TDs and three INTs, giving Tampa Bay a chance to win its second straight NFC South title.

After facing the Panthers, the Bucs play their final divisional game the following week at third-place Atlanta (8-4).

"That's the best scenario we can ask for because we don't have to sit around and wait for anybody," Tampa Bay cornerback Ronde Barber said. "We can take the NFC South the way we want to."

The Bucs will be facing a Panthers defense that has been inconsistent, but has 13 sacks in its last five games. Garcia's success against Carolina is partly due to his ability to escape the pass rush, avoiding a sack against the Panthers in each of his last two games against them.

Garcia, though, has been sacked nine times in his last two contests overall.

Carolina is led by defensive end Julius Peppers, who had two sacks in a 35-31 win over Green Bay last Sunday. Peppers, who has a team-high 11 sacks, has had two or more 16 times in his career.

Peppers has six sacks in six career home games against Tampa Bay.

The Bucs, meanwhile, intercepted Drew Brees three times and sacked him once to slow down the NFL's top-ranked offense during a 23-20 victory over New Orleans last Sunday.

Garcia was sacked four times and limited to 119 yards passing, but found Antonio Bryant for a 38-yard touchdown that put the Bucs up 20-10.

And Carnell "Cadillac" Williams continues to get more incorporated into the offense. He scored on an 8-yard run, his first TD since a career-threatening knee injury 14 months ago.

"That was big," said Williams, who gained 20 yards on four carries in his second game since being activated from the physically unable to perform list.

Williams, though, has struggled in five career games against the Panthers, averaging 3.4 yards on 80 carries.

Tampa Bay uses a rotation at running back with Warrick Dunn and Williams. Carolina does too, with DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart sharing the load.

DeAngelo Williams is coming off the best game of his career, setting a team record with four rushing TDs against the Packers. He leads the Panthers with 955 yards and 11 TDs on the ground.

Stewart, a rookie, has rushed for 586 yards and six TDs. Carolina is 9-1 when rushing for more than 100 yards.

Tampa Bay has proven to be vulnerable against the run at times, allowing 150 yards or more twice and at least 100 seven times. Carolina's ability to control the ball will go a long way in determining whether it will be able to take over the division lead.

"There are a lot of people who are fighting for their playoff lives, and we're one of them," Panthers coach John Fox said.

But the Panthers, with dangerous wide receiver Steve Smith, are also capable of quick strikes.

Smith's 54-yard catch set up Williams' fourth 1-yard TD run with 1:30 left versus Green Bay. Smith finished with four catches for 105 yards, all in the second half.

"He does that. He does those things," Peppers said. "We see that all the time."

Smith has 273 yards receiving in his last two games, and the three-time Pro Bowler is sixth in the NFL with 958 on the season.

Leftwich's season ends as he's placed on IR

Byron Leftwich's season is over after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers put the backup quarterback on injured reserve with a sore right elbow.

2009 NFL Power Rankings: Week 12

Week 12 of the latest ESPN.com NFL Power Rankings reveals a matchup of the Nos. 1 and 4 teams.

Bucs sack Bates; Morris to call defensive plays

Continuing a tumultous year, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers changed defensive coordinators Monday night, demoting Jim Bates and handing over their defense to head coach Raheem Morris, according to sources close to the situation.

'Messed-up hand' limits Panthers DE Peppers

Julius Peppers' hand is a touchy subject in the secretive world of NFL injuries. Coach John Fox would only call it a "messed-up hand."

Bucs' Zuttah apparently ahead of Sears at left guard

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are undergoing a changing of their left guard, and it definitely appears as though the key figure in that change is second-year pro Jeremy Zuttah.

Jackson needs swagger

If Amarri Jackson wants to make sure he gets to training camp and through the preseason for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, wide receiver Antonio Bryant has some veteran advice for the Sarasota native.

Receiver Kelly Campbell savors his chance to make Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Each time Bucs receiver Kelly Campbell reads a headline about an NFL player who has been arrested or otherwise gotten into trouble, he can't help but immediately think about the potential consequences.

Dungy is moving forward

It had been a busy Thursday morning but now Tony Dungy was heading back across the Howard Frankland Bridge toward Tampa after a couple of meetings in a campaign to increase parental involvement in Florida public schools.

Mangurian looking for discipline on Bucs' OL

Two months before the start of training camp, Tampa Bay's new offensive line coach has a chilling message for his minions: If you're not planning on being smart and disciplined, don't bother showing up.

Panthers become big losers - of excess weight

There's much less to see when you look at the Carolina Panthers' sideline these days.

Moore making most of shot with Panthers

The Panthers' Kenny Moore, shown with students at First Ward Elementary School on March 10, is among the candidates to enter the season as the team's No.

New fullback has Hoover a bit on edge

When it comes to locker room grief, Carolina Panthers fullback Brad Hoover gives it as well as anyone.

Brown's focus is on technique

If the Carolina Panthers were truly worried about Everette Brown's size, they wouldn't be lining him up the way they are.

Hoover doesn't plan to go without a fight

Brad Hoover was walking off the practice field Monday shortly after beating most of his Carolina Panthers teammates in a series of sprints when he told a reporter he couldn't talk until later.