Jeff Garcia
longed for another chance to
show he’s the right quarterback
for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The three-time Pro Bowl
selection got it Sunday and
delivered exactly what the Bucs
were looking for in a 27-3
victory over the Carolina
Panthers. He completed a high
percentage of passes, managed
the offense and—most of all—
protected the football.
Garcia, starting for the first
time since the season opener
because Brian Griese is injured,
threw for 173 yards and a
touchdown. Warrick Dunn had his
most productive day running the
ball since rejoining the Bucs
with 115 yards on 22 carries.
The victory, Tampa Bay’s first
at home against the division
rival Panthers since 2002, gave
the Bucs (4-2) a share of first
place in the NFC South with
Carolina (4-2), which sputtered
a week after routing Kansas City
34-0...more
Scoring Summary
CAR - TB
1st Quarter
12:25
TB
TD
TB blocked punt attempt by Jason Baker. Geno Hayes
returned for 22 yards (Matt Bryant made PAT)
0 - 7
2:40
TB
TD
Jeff Garcia passed to Alex Smith to the left for 2 yard
gain (Matt Bryant made PAT)
0 - 14
2nd Quarter
12:31
CAR
FG
John Kasay kicked a 20-yard field goal
3 - 14
8:58
TB
FG
Matt Bryant kicked a 37-yard field goal
3 - 17
3rd Quarter
6:03
TB
FG
Matt Bryant kicked a 49-yard field goal
3 - 20
4th Quarter
14:11
TB
TD
Earnest Graham rushed to the left for 1 yard gain (Matt
Bryant made PAT)
3 - 27
Team Statistics
CAR
TB
First Downs
14
16
Passing
12
8
Rushing
2
7
Penalty
0
1
Third Down Efficiency
3-12
6-13
Fourth Down Efficiency
0-3
0-0
TOTAL NET YARDS
282
315
Total Plays
59
57
Average Gain Per Play
4.8
5.5
NET YARDS RUSHING
40
142
Rushes
20
37
Average Per Rush
2.0
3.8
NET YARDS PASSING
242
173
Completions-Attempts
20-39
15-20
Yards Per Pass Play
6.2
8.7
Times Sacked
0
0
Yards Lost to Sacks
0
0
Had Intercepted
3
0
PUNTS
4
5
Average Punt
49.3
44.6
PENALTIES
4
7
Penalty Yards
16
80
FUMBLES
0
1
Fumbles Lost
0
0
TIME OF POSSESSION
25:18
34:42
Pregame Previews, Storylines,
and News
Preview:
Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden said he had to walk away after
watching film of the Carolina Panthers' defense.
On Sunday, the Buccaneers coach will see why the Panthers' have frustrated so
many opponents this season when Carolina looks to create further separation atop
the NFC South.
The Panthers (4-1) lead the division thanks to one of the NFL's best defenses,
which has held opponents to five touchdowns the last four games and 268.6 yards
per game overall - fourth-best in the NFL.
Carolina hasn't allowed a touchdown in its last nine quarters, shutting out the
Kansas City Chiefs 34-0 last Sunday after limiting the Atlanta Falcons to three
field goals in a 24-9 victory on Sept. 28. Still, defensive end Julius Peppers
doesn't think the team's done anything special yet....more
Inside the Game Plans:
Notable:
PANTHERS: The
Panthers are going to stick with what works - the running game. After
breaking out for more than 200 yards rushing last week, the Panthers
will rely heavily on the two-headed attack of DeAngelo Williams and
Jonathan Stewart against rival Tampa Bay. Of course, the Panthers will
sprinkle in plenty of Steve Smith and Muhsin Muhammad as well.
Defensively, the Panthers will continue to stick with what is working.
They've simplified the defense this year allowing players to use their
athletic ability more...FULL
STORY
BUCCANEERS: Jon
Gruden admitted he expected man coverage and had to adjust last week
against Denver when the Broncos rushed three and dropped eight. It was
effective. This is a copycat league, so the Panthers may try that
strategy. But the best way to slow a pass rush is to run the football,
and the Bucs are well-equipped to do that with Earnest Graham and
Warrick Dunn, who are both averaging over 5-yards per carry. QB Jeff
Garcia has the ability to escape the rush and create bigger windows to
throw in. Garcia's replacement of Brian Griese should not be a factor...FULL
STORY
The Buccaneers have
dropped five straight home games to the Panthers by an average of 10
points per game
Bucs coach Jon
Gruden has made 11 in-season starting quarterback changes since the
start of the 2004 season and with Griese still nursing his injury, could
make it 12 on Sunday
18.9
21.5