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Panthers host Buccaneers in key NFC South tilt

Dec 3, 2008 - 12:19 AM Tampa Bay (9-3) at Carolina (9-3) 8:30 pm EST

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Ticker) -- If the Tampa Bay Buccaneers want to gain control of the NFC South, they will have to do something no other team has done this season: beat the Carolina Panthers at home.

The pair, which are tied atop the division standings with identical 9-3 records, meet Monday with a clear path to the division title on the line.

Both teams squeaked out wins in Week 13, setting the stage for the first of what appears to be numerous key division contests as they battle the Atlanta Falcons for potential NFC playoff berths.

The Bucs dealt a devastating blow to the playoff hopes of another division rival, the New Orleans Saints, with a 23-20 win last weekend. The victory was Tampa Bay's fourth straight as it improved to 6-0 at home and dropped New Orleans to 6-6.

After blowing a 10-point fourth-quarter lead, Matt Bryant's 37-yard field goal with 1:55 remaining lifted Tampa Bay to the victory.

"That was a great win for us, a team effort," Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden said. "Our defense was tremendous today, particularly at the end of the football game. Our offense came out and

started the third quarter with back-to-back scores that were big."

Jeff Garcia was limited to just 119 yards passing, completing just 9-of-23 attempts, but Warrick Dunn's 74 yards led a rushing attack that racked up 149 yards. Carnell "Cadillac" Williams scored on an 8-yard touchdown in only his second game back since returning from a knee injury suffered last year.

"We have been able to overcome a lot of different things this year," Tampa Bay guard Davin Joseph said. "On the road, playing bad with turnovers, losing the turnover battle, penalties in the red zone. We have been able to overcome a lot. When it is time to make a play, there is always somebody to step up and make a play."

The Buccaneers, who boast the NFC's best scoring defense, ended each of the Saints' last two possessions by picking off Drew Brees and had three interceptions in the game.

After a trio of less than stellar performances, Carolina rallied for an impressive 35-31 victory in Green Bay last weekend.

The Packers went ahead by three on a field goal with 1:57 left, but Mark Jones returned the ensuing kickoff to the Panthers' 45-yard line, and Jake Delhomme connected with Steve Smith on a 54-yard pass to put the ball at Packers' 1.

DeAngelo Williams scored his fourth 1-yard touchdown run of the game on the next play as the Panthers bounced back from a loss in Atlanta in Week 12. The defeat to the Falcons followed ugly wins over Oakland and Detroit in the two previous weeks.

"We got our ninth win," said Smith, who finished with four receptions for 105 yards after being held without a catch in the first half. "When we got the opportunity, we made the most of it. We had confidence when we threw the ball versus their defensive backs and linebackers."

Tampa Bay manhandled Carolina at home in the first matchup between the two teams on October 27, picking off Delhomme three times en route to a 27-3 victory.

Home teams have dominated the NFC South this season, combining to go 22-2 this season. Carolina plays at New Orleans in Week 17 while Tampa Bay visits Atlanta in Week 15.