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Panthers put NFC South lead on line vs. Buccaneers

Oct 7, 2008 - 2:37 PM Carolina (4-1) at Tampa Bay (3-2), 1:00 pm EDT

TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) -- The Carolina Panthers quietly have risen to the top of the NFC South.

The Panthers will try to maintain their slim division lead when they visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.

DeAngelo Williams, part of a running back platoon with Jonathan Stewart, broke through with three touchdowns during last week's 34-0 triumph over the Kansas City Chiefs.

Williams finished with 148 total yards, including 123 on the ground. Stewart added 72 yards rushing as Carolina piled up 205 on the ground.

"What happens in football, offensively, is we try to establish the run," Fox said. "We made no bones about it. Sometimes the pass has to set up the run. We feel good about all of our running backs."

While Williams sparked the offense, the entire Carolina defense came up with a big effort. Facing their fifth straight star running back, the Panthers held Larry Johnson to just two yards on seven carries.

Carolina has now faced LaDainian Tomlinson, Matt Forte, Adrian Peterson, Michael Turner and Johnson and have yet to allow a 100-yard rushing game.

"That is something we thrive on," Panthers safety Chris Harris said of facing the league's top backs. "We love the challenge anytime we got the chance. We have had five straight. We thrive on that. That makes us better."

Tampa Bay may need to rely on the running game with Brian Griese questionable for the contest. Griese suffered injuries to his throwing shoulder and elbow during Sunday's 16-13 loss to the Denver Broncos, forcing him from the game.

Jeff Garcia, who opened the season as a starter only to lose the job to Griese in Week Two, played well in relief, directing a late 90-yard touchdown drive.

Gruden, perhaps hoping to quell a budding quarterback controversy, said he will not make a decision on his starter for Sunday's home game against the Carolina Panthers until at least Wednesday.

"Right now, we're concerned about Griese's arm, and we're encouraged by Jeff's progress," Gruden said.

Griese was injured with 8:39 left in the third quarter when Denver cornerback Champ Bailey hit him with his helmet on a blitz.