WHEN THE PANTHERS HAVE THE BALL

Carolina's offense has become tougher to combat in recent weeks because it's been able to achieve excellent balance. That was evident in last week's rout of Kansas City, when the Panthers rushed for 205 yards and threw for 236 in their most prolific outing of the season. Running back DeAngelo Williams (324 rushing yards, 7 receptions, 3 total TD) delivered the best game of his three- year career against the Chiefs, with the former first-round pick amassing a personal-best 123 rushing yards and a pair of scores on 20 carries and adding a 25-yard touchdown catch. He shares backfield duties for the league's 11th- ranked rushing offense (123.0 ypg) with rookie Jonathan Stewart (269 rushing yards, 4 TD, 1 reception), a 235-pound bruiser who has made his biggest impact in goal-line situations. The duo may be running behind a patchwork offensive line on Sunday, however. Left tackle Jordan Gross will likely sit out a second straight game with a concussion, while center Ryan Kalil and first-year right tackle Jeff Otah missed early-week practices with ankle injuries.

It would be surprising if the Panthers ran the football with the same authority as last week against a Tampa Bay defense that's been tough on enemy ball carriers. The Buccaneers have yet to allow a 100-yard rusher or a rushing touchdown so far this year, while surrendering an average of 99.6 yards per game (14th overall) on the ground. A sturdy front seven is led by the high- quality linebacker trio of perennial All-Pro Derrick Brooks (18 tackles, 1 INT), leading tackler Barrett Ruud (36 tackles, 2 INT, 1 sack) and weakside starter Cato June (22 tackles), but Ruud is considered a game-time decision for Sunday after he sprained his right knee in the Denver game. Untested replacement Adam Hayward (7 tackles) would present a significant drop-off at the middle linebacker spot if he's unable to go. Tampa may compensate by using strong safety Jermaine Phillips (25 tackles), who's very good in run support, closer to the line of scrimmage.

The Bucs have been a little more vulnerable against the pass, having given up an average of 218.6 yards per game through the air (21st overall) along with eight passing touchdowns, but the defense also stands among the league leaders with eight interceptions. Two of those picks have come from end Gaines Adams (14 tackles, 2 sacks), one of the team's top pass rushers who will likely be matched up against fill-in left tackle Frank Omiyale on Sunday. He and fellow second-year pro Greg White (12 tackles, 3.5 sacks) will be counted on to pressure Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme and help out a secondary headlined by four-time Pro Bowl corner Ronde Barber (25 tackles, 1 sack). Tampa Bay held Denver's standout receiver Brandon Marshall to 25 yards on three catches last week, but had problems containing slot man Brandon Stokley and tight end Tony Scheffler.

Barber and counterpart Phillip Buchanon (18 tackles, 1 INT, 3 PD) should have their hands full with Carolina's wideout tandem of game-breaker Steve Smith (16 receptions, 262 yards, 1 TD) and rejuvenated 35-year-old Muhsin Muhammad (25 receptions, 358 yards, 2 TD), a pairing that's combined for nearly 160 receiving yards per game thus far. The two veterans form a dangerous connection with Delhomme (1096 passing yards, 5 TD, 2 INT), who backed up a season-high 294-yard, two-touchdown performance in the Panthers' Week 3 win over Atlanta by throwing for 236 yards and two scores against the Chiefs. He won't have No. 3 receiver D.J. Hackett (10 receptions) at his disposal this week after the former Seattle Seahawk injured his knee in last Sunday's test. Disappointing sophomore Dwayne Jarrett (2 receptions) will serve in that capacity for this week's game.

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