By running over, around and through one of the league’s top
defenses, the Carolina Panthers staked their claim as one of the NFL’s top
teams.
DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart proved a dominating tandem, and the
Panthers seized control of the competitive NFC South with a 38-23 win over the
Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night.
Williams rushed for a career-high 186 yards and two touchdowns, Stewart added
115 yards and two more scores and the Panthers set a team record for yards
rushing for the second time in a month.
And this time it was against the NFL’s fourth-rated defense that came in having
allowed only one rushing TD all season.
The Panthers (10-3) avenged their worst loss of the season and grabbed the top
spot in the division, moving one game ahead of the Buccaneers (9-4).
“People remember what you do in December,” Panthers coach John Fox said. “This
was a big stage and I like the way our guys met that challenge.”...more
Scoring Summary
TB - CAR
1st Quarter
8:50
CAR
FG
John Kasay kicked a 33-yard field goal
0 - 3
2nd Quarter
6:35
TB
FG
Matt Bryant kicked a 20-yard field goal
3 - 3
1:56
CAR
TD
Jonathan Stewart rushed to the right for 2 yard gain
(John Kasay made PAT)
3 - 10
3rd Quarter
11:23
TB
TD
Jeff Garcia passed to Antonio Bryant to the left for 50
yard gain (Matt Bryant made PAT)
10 - 10
8:19
CAR
TD
Jake Delhomme passed to Steve Smith to the left for 38
yard gain (John Kasay made PAT)
10 - 17
3:37
TB
TD
Carnell Williams rushed up the middle for 4 yard gain
(Matt Bryant made PAT)
17 - 17
4th Quarter
13:21
CAR
TD
Jonathan Stewart rushed up the middle for 4 yard gain
(John Kasay made PAT)
17 - 24
8:30
CAR
TD
DeAngelo Williams rushed to the left for 16 yard gain
(John Kasay made PAT)
17 - 31
2:29
TB
TD
Jeff Garcia passed to Antonio Bryant to the left for 15
yard gain (Matt Bryant missed PAT)
23 - 31
2:07
CAR
TD
DeAngelo Williams rushed to the right for 36 yard gain
(John Kasay made PAT)
23 - 38
Team Statistics
TB
CAR
First Downs
20
25
Passing
13
10
Rushing
7
14
Penalty
0
1
Third Down Efficiency
6-14
8-10
Fourth Down Efficiency
1-2
0-0
TOTAL NET YARDS
384
464
Total Plays
67
58
Average Gain Per Play
5.7
8.0
NET YARDS RUSHING
86
299
Rushes
24
37
Average Per Rush
3.6
8.1
NET YARDS PASSING
298
165
Completions-Attempts
24-38
14-20
Yards Per Pass Play
6.9
7.9
Times Sacked
5
1
Yards Lost to Sacks
23
8
Had Intercepted
0
2
PUNTS
3
1
Average Punt
47.0
51.0
PENALTIES
5
4
Penalty Yards
34
26
FUMBLES
1
0
Fumbles Lost
0
0
TIME OF POSSESSION
30:28
29:32
Pregame Previews, Storylines,
and News
New Page 1
Preview:
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...
Prediction: Tampa's won four
straight, while the Panthers won a tough road game in Green Bay. The Bucs are
getting it done with a defense that's ranked in the top five in pass yards, rush
yards and points against. Jeff Garcia's pass rating (92.5) is sixth. The Bucs
are the most complete team in the South Bucs 24 - Panthers 21
Video Preview: The Tampa Bay
Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers will battle for first place in the NFC South on
Monday night. Greg Amsinger and Charley Casserly break down the game
Matchups: Buccaneers at Panthers
SportingNews.com
The turbulent NFC South could finally have a solidified front
runner when the Buccaneers (9-3) go into Charlotte and take on the
Panthers (9-3). ...
18.1
19.1