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Sep 17, 2010 - 10:28 PM By SANTOSH VENKATARAMAN STATS Senior Writer

The Carolina Panthers weren't able to get their running game untracked in their opener, but that wasn't the case last year in a season sweep of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Panthers look to notch their seventh straight NFC South home victory Sunday when they take on a Buccaneers team entering off an opening-week victory for the first time since 2005.

Carolina (0-1) fell 31-18 on the road to the New York Giants last Sunday as DeAngelo Williams was held to 62 yards on 16 carries and Jonathan Stewart 12 yards on five attempts. Williams and Stewart each went over 1,100 yards last year as the Panthers led the NFC in rushing with 156.1 per game.

The Panthers led 16-14 at halftime but only rushed the ball five times over the final 30 minutes. That decision was curious given the struggles of Matt Moore, who completed 14 of 33 passes for 182 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions.

"I don't know if everybody understands, but defenses can dictate that some," coach John Fox said. "It's not all just that we want to throw. Sometimes the situation in a game, in a fourth quarter down 15 points, ripping off a 4-yard run is not really conducive to trying to win the game."

The running game keyed Carolina's two victories over Tampa Bay (1-0) last year. Williams had 152 yards and two touchdowns while Stewart added 110 and one score in a 28-21 road win Oct. 18, then Stewart made up for an injured Williams' absence by running for 125 yards and one TD in a 16-6 home win Dec. 6.

Josh Freeman turned in possibly the worst game of his young career in the December meeting with a career-high five interceptions - two by linebacker Jon Beason.

Freeman looked like an improved player in last Sunday's 17-14 victory over Cleveland, completing 17 of 28 passes for 182 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

Both quarterbacks are dealing with injuries.

Freeman is still bothered by a broken thumb suffered in Tampa Bay's second preseason game.

The second-year quarterback was held out of practice for two weeks before returning last Tuesday, when he took snaps for the first time since Aug. 21. The Buccaneers claim he came through the season opener OK.

Moore was knocked out of the Giants game and sent to the hospital for evaluation following a blind-side hit by Osi Umenyiora in the final minutes. He practiced for a third straight day Friday and is listed as probable, meaning it's likely he will start over second-round draft pick Jimmy Clausen.

The Bucs - losers of 11 of 14 to the Panthers - rallied from an 11-point deficit in their opener. Tampa Bay started 0-7 last year in coach Raheem Morris' first season.

"We really enjoy wins, and we want to get them," Morris said. "But we're not going to go out there and get our first win and get all giddy and be all excited. ... Our job is to get better and get ready for our next opponent."

Neither team played particularly well on defense in Week 1.

The Panthers gave up 376 yards and a pass rush that produced 19 sacks in the preseason only managed one against New York.

"We're a young defense and we have to learn from it, learn from our mistakes, and come out next week and get better," linebacker Dan Connor said.

The Bucs allowed 340 yards and failed to record a sack, but they did force three turnovers and were satisfied with their effort.

"When you win right off the bat, it builds confidence and guys know what they have to do to win," veteran linebacker Barrett Ruud said. "It certifies that what you're doing works."

Tampa Bay has dropped its first road game the previous four years, but won its final two on the road last season - including a 20-17 overtime win over eventual Super Bowl champion New Orleans in its last one.