Bucs vs Panthers MNF Preview

The Monday Night Football clash between the Carolina Panthers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was expected to be a battle for first place in the NFC South prior to the season. However, with those two teams struggling over the first half of the schedule it's instead become a primetime matchup of the third and fourth-place teams in the division.

The Panthers, though, are at least at the .500 mark, and are two games up on the Bucs in the NFC South. Tampa Bay was roughed up by the first-place New Orleans Saints last week, with Drew Brees throwing three touchdown passes in a 31-14 road victory. Bucs QB Bruce Gradkowski went just 18-of-31 for 185 yards passing in the loss, with two TD strikes and zero interceptions. Joey Galloway caught both balls in the end zone.

With the loss Tampa Bay dropped to a miserable 2-6 on the season. Against-the-spread the Bucs are 4-4 in '06, and they're 1-2 ATS on the road and 4-3 ATS as the underdog. Tampa Bay is also 4-4 OVER/UNDER this year, and they're 0-4 against the NFC South.

The 4-4 Panthers had a bye last weekend but they'd dropped each of their past two games prior to that break. Back in Week 8 Carolina was thumped 35-14 by the Dallas Cowboys. Jake Delhomme went just 17-of-31 for 149 yards passing in that loss, with zero touchdowns and one interception. DeShaun Foster ran for 50 yards on 15 carries (and scored a TD), and Steve Smith caught six balls and picked up 55 receiving yards.

Carolina hasn't been kind to bettors this season - at least not to the bettors who have wagered money on them. The Panthers are 4-4 straight-up, but they're just 2-5-1 against-the-spread in 2006. Carolina is 1-3 ATS as the home team, and 1-4 ATS as the favored team. They're also 3-5 OVER/UNDER, and 2-1 against NFC South opponents.

Oddsmakers opened the Panthers as 9-point favorites in this contest, and that line had moved to Carolina -9.5 at most books by the end of the week. The total sits at 37 points.

The Panthers and the Bucs have already met once this season, with Carolina defeating Tampa Bay 26-24 at Raymond James Stadium on September 24. Delhomme went 22-of-36 for 272 yards passing in that win, with one TD strike and zero interceptions. Foster ran for 82 yards on 20 carries in the contest, and Smith picked up 112 receiving yards.

However, the big story that day was Bucs QB Chris Simms being hospitalized after the game and eventually having his spleen removed. Simms is now out for the season, and Gradkowski has been elevated to the Bucs' starter's role in his place; Gradkowski completed his only pass attempt in that contest, while Carnell Williams ran for a score.

Carolina had been listed as a 3-point road favorite in September and they failed to cover that spread. The combined score went OVER the day's posted total (33.5). Back in 2005 the Panthers and Buccaneers split their season series, with Carolina winning 34-14 on the road, and Tampa Bay winning 20-10 on the road. The Panthers have won six of the past seven meetings between these teams, and they're 7-5 against Tampa Bay in franchise history. Carolina head coach John Fox is 6-3 lifetime against the Buccaneers.

Here is the official Week 10 injury report for the Buccaneers:

Michael Pittman RB Questionable Week 10 (Shoulder)
Shelton Quarles LB Questionable Week 10 (Knee)
Simeon Rice DE Questionable Week 10 (Shoulder)
Ellis Wyms DT Questionable Week 10 (Ankle)
Juran Bolden CB Questionable Week 10 (Hip)

Here is the official Week 10 injury report for the Panthers:

Jordan Carstens DT Out Week 10 (Chest)
Justin Hartwig C Doubtful Week 10 (Groin)
Ken Lucas CB Questionable Week 10 (Groin)

After battling the Bucs on Monday night the Panthers will start preparing for the St. Louis Rams, who will visit Bank of America Stadium next Sunday. Tampa Bay follows up its Monday night appearance with a home game against the Washington Redskins.

monday night football - tampa bay vs carolina 7:00 PM

Monday Night Football Matchup
Tampa Bay Bucs vs Carolina Panthers
November 13th, 2006 - Erickson Stadium
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