Bucs turn battle into blowout against Carolina

By Jeff Dickinson  |   Tuesday, October 14, 2008  |  Comments( 4 )

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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This was supposed to be a football battle for NFC South supremacy. The Carolina Panthers entered Sunday’s game at Tampa with a 4-1 record and a perch at the top of the NFC South standings.

The Buccaneers were 3-2, one game back, with a chance to tie the Panthers with a win. Carolina came in riding a two-game winning streak and had outscored its last two opponents by a 58-9 margin.

Someone forgot to tell the Bucs that this was supposed to be a struggle. Tampa Bay played like its opponent was the Detroit Lions instead of Carolina and the result was a 27-3 whipping of the Panthers.

Commentary: This was a total team win for the Bucs. First, Jeff Garcia further cemented the clipboard in Brian Griese’s hands by completing 15 of 20 passes for 173 yards and a touchdown (and no turnovers). Garcia finished the game with an impressive quarterback rating of 117.3.

Second, Warrick Dunn rushed for 115 yards on 22 carries and helped Tampa Bay control the clock. Dunn’s rushing helped the Bucs hold the ball for almost 35 of the game’s 60-minute total.

The third reason Tampa Bay dominated Carolina is because of its stifling defense. In their previous game against the Chiefs, the Panthers rushed for 205 yards behind 123 yards from DeAngelo Williams. On Sunday in Tampa, the Bucs held Williams to 27 yards on 11 carries. Carolina only managed a total of 40 yards on the ground against Tampa Bay. The Bucs also intercepted quarterback Jake Delhomme three times.

Fan Pulse: The Bucs showed Carolina how to play hardnosed football, according to Tampa Bay fans. This was the type of win that can be a statement game in the division. Fans are excited about the defensive showing and the consistent offense that doesn’t beat itself.

Fantasy Football Impact: Running back Earnest Graham had been Tampa Bay’s best fantasy football option. Graham, however, only produced 11 yards on the day because he volunteered to fill in at fullback when Byron Storer left with an injury. Graham did have one touchdown.

Injury Watch: Linebacker Barrett Ruud didn’t let his injured knee keep him out of the Carolina game. Ruud played and had four tackles and deflected one pass. Wide receiver Joey Galloway missed the Carolina game, but is expected back next week from his foot injury.
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About Jeff Dickinson

I have been writing and editing professionally for 18 years. I spent the first three years of my career as a sportswriter for a daily newspaper in Alabama and got to cover sports and get paid for it! It was great until I got married and then it wasn't too much fun being away from my wife every...
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