Carolina (5-2) at Tampa Bay (5-2)
VIDEO PLAYLIST 
| SCOUTING REPORT |
Panthers looking to bring heatThe stakes are high as two of the three teams tied atop the NFC South do battle in Tampa. The visiting Panthers have won four straight games, including last Sunday's drubbing of the Vikings in which WR Steve Smith set a franchise record with 201 receiving yards.
The Buccaneers' swarming cover-2 defense should prove to be a much more formidable challenge for Smith and the underrated Panthers' passing attack -- particularly with the help of a raucous crowd at Raymond James Stadium. The big question is whether or not coach Jon Gruden's Buccaneers can re-establish offensive confidence with Chris Simms at QB.
If last week's anemic 10-point showing versus a sub-par 49ers' defense was any indication, the answer is no. DE Julius Peppers, MLB Dan Morgan and the rest of the improving Panthers' defense must be licking their chops as they watch film in preparation for Sunday's divisional showdown. |
· Full Scouting Report 
|
| Matchup |
| | W-L | PF | PA | HOME | ROAD | DIV | CONF |
| CAR | 11-5 | 391 | 259 | 5-3 | 6-2 | 4-2 | 8-4 |
| TAM | 11-5 | 300 | 274 | 6-2 | 5-3 | 5-1 | 9-3 |
| · Complete Standings |
| TEAM AVERAGES & NFL RANKS |
| TEAM OFFENSE | TEAM | PER GAME AVERAGE |
| Total Yards | CAR | 309.0 |
| TAM | 295.0 |
| Yards Passing | CAR | 204.4 |
| TAM | 180.6 |
| Yards Rushing | CAR | 104.9 |
| TAM | 114.1 |
| TEAM DEFENSE | TEAM | PER GAME AVERAGE |
| Yards Allowed | CAR | 282.6 |
| TAM | 277.8 |
| Pass Yds Allowed | CAR | 191.1 |
| TAM | 183.1 |
| Rush Yds Allowed | CAR | 91.6 |
| TAM | 94.7 |
| HEAD TO HEAD MATCHUPS (SINCE 2001) |
| Carolina leads 5-3 |
| Dec 26, 2004 | CAR 37, TAM 20 |
| Nov 28, 2004 | CAR 21, @TAM 14 |
| Nov 9, 2003 | CAR 27, @TAM 24 |
| Sep 14, 2003 | CAR 12, TAM 9 |
| Nov 17, 2002 | CAR 10, TAM 23 |
| Oct 27, 2002 | CAR 9, @TAM 12 |
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Carolina (5-2) at Tampa Bay (5-2), Sunday 1:00 pm EST
TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) -- The Carolina Panthers are starting
to resemble a Super Bowl contender. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers
are hoping to rediscover themselves following a disappointing
loss.
Part of a three-way tie for first place in the NFC South along
with the Atlanta Falcons, the Panthers and Bucs meet Sunday at
Raymond James Stadium.
Among the favorites at the start of the season to represent the
NFC in Super Bowl XL, the Panthers have recovered from a 1-2
start by reeling off four straight wins.
Led by rookie Carnell "Cadillac" Williams and their defense, the
Bucs got off to a surprising 5-1 start. But Williams has been
slowed by a foot injury and starting quarterback Brian Griese
was lost for the season with torn knee ligaments in an October
16 game against Miami.
The loss of Griese was felt last week as Chris Simms was
intercepted twice in a 15-10 loss at San Francisco. The
performance left coach Jon Gruden unhappy.
"He (Simms) has to understand our protections better; he has to
know where our hot receivers are (on blitzes) and he has to know
when it's best to just throw the ball away," Gruden told the
Tampa Tribune.
Gruden also will be looking to get Williams going. After rushing
for a rookie-record 434 yards in his first three games,
Williams has gained just 33 yards on 24 attempts in his last two
contests.
Bucs defensive end Simeon Rice, who was deactivated for last
week's game and sent home for reportedly missing a team meeting,
is expected to start. The three-time Pro Bowler leads the Bucs
with five sacks.
Jake Delhomme had his best game of the season last week,
completing 21-of-30 passes for 341 yards and three touchdowns in
a 38-13 victory over Minnesota.
In two wins against Tampa Bay last season, Delhomme went
37-of-45 for 427 yards and six touchdowns with an interception.
He was 19-of-24 for 214 yards and four TDs in a 37-20 victory
here on December 26.
Matchup to watch: Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith, who had 11
catches for 201 yards and a touchdown last week, against right
cornerback Ronde Barber.
Series: Carolina leads, 5-4, including wins in the last four
meetings.
Next week: Carolina hosts NY Jets, November 13 Tampa Bay
hosts Washington, November 13
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Carolina 34, 
Tampa Bay 14