WHEN THE BUCCANEERS HAVE THE BALL

Garcia (314 passing yards, 2 TD, 2 INT) may not be Gruden's preferred choice to direct the Tampa offense, though the aging but gritty triggerman is a more accurate and efficient passer than Griese (804 passing yards, 4 TD), whose six interceptions in four games are two more than Garcia had in 13 starts a year ago. A bigger concern for Gruden may be at wide receiver, where a lingering foot sprain to veteran Joey Galloway (8 receptions) has robbed the Bucs of their only proven deep threat. The well-traveled Antonio Bryant (24 receptions) has done a serviceable job as the team's No. 1 receiver, while 12th-year pro Ike Hilliard (22 receptions, 3 TD) is usually the go-to guy on third downs and within the red zone. Tight ends Alex Smith (10 receptions, 1 TD) and Jerramy Stevens (6 receptions, 1 TD) have shown some proficiency in those spots as well. Garcia should be well-protected from an underrated offensive line that's given up just seven sacks in five games for an offense that has attempted the most passes in the league this year.

The Buccaneers will try to move the ball on a Carolina defense that's giving up only 156 passing yards per game, the third-lowest total in the NFL. Opposing quarterbacks have completed just 55.3 percent of their passes against a secondary that's been getting tremendous play out of cornerbacks Chris Gamble (25 tackles, 1 INT, 8 PD) and Ken Lucas (16 tackles, 1 INT, 5 PD), while game-changing end Julius Peppers (11 tackles, 3 sacks) appears to have regained his All-Pro form after an inexplicably unproductive 2007. The premier pass rusher has notched a sack in three consecutive games. Second-year end Charles Johnson (9 tackles, 1.5 sacks) is beginning to make an impact as a situational rusher as well.

Carolina has been equally as good versus the run in the early going, having allowed just 98.4 rushing yards per contest (13th overall) along with one touchdown on the ground. The defense held the Chiefs' Larry Johnson, who entered last week's matchup with back-to-back 100-yard outings, to a paltry two yards on seven carries in the Panthers' Week 5 rout. Second-year middle linebacker Jon Beason (39 tackles, 1 INT, 3 PD) has been making a strong case for a Pro Bowl nod with his play against both the run and the pass, while weakside starter Thomas Davis (33 tackles) and strong safety Chris Harris (24 tackles, 2 forced fumbles) are also keys to the team's run-stopping success.

Tampa Bay has been one of the NFL's most effective running teams through the first five weeks, with the backfield combo of Earnest Graham (393 rushing yards, 2 TD, 10 receptions) and Warrick Dunn (271 rushing yards, 1 TD, 13 receptions) averaging a healthy 5.5 yards per carry. Graham has rushed for over 100 yards in each of the Bucs' two home games this year, while the 33- year-old Dunn recorded a season-high 74 yards on just 11 attempts in last week's loss. Both backs are also very good receivers who will serve as trusty safety valves for Garcia on Sunday. The Buccaneers are averaging 134.8 yards per game on the ground (8th overall) for the year.

FANTASY FOCUS

With both teams possessing strong defenses and utilizing a time-share approach in the backfield, there aren't a whole lot of offensive players one can rely upon from a fantasy perspective in this matchup. Steve Smith and Muhammad are two that can be counted on to produce, since the pair has a virtual monopoly on receiving targets for Carolina. The Panthers' offensive balance has made Delhomme more of a No. 2 quarterback in fantasy circles, but you could certainly do worse as a bye-week fill-in. Garcia was likely dropped in most leagues after losing his starting job after Week 1. Now is not the time to pick him up, considering Carolina's prowess in defending the pass and the tenuous status that any Tampa quarterback holds. It's difficult to project any kind of concrete numbers for any of the running backs participating in this game. Stewart seems to be a slightly less risky play than Williams due to the rookie's likelihood of goal-line duties, while Dunn has seen his workload increase over the last two weeks and may be ready to pass Graham on the depth chart. Pick Dunn up if he's still available, but hold off on moving him right into your starting lineup.

OVERALL ANALYSIS

Carolina has been playing its best ball in years and has had little trouble going into Raymond James Stadium and coming away victorious in the past, but the team will find the going a whole lot tougher this Sunday after cruising past a pair of inferior opponents at home over the past two weeks. Kansas City may not have been able to take advantage of the Panthers' injuries along the offensive line, but the Buccaneers are certainly capable of doing so. Look for the defense to force Delhomme into one costly mistake that could turn out to be the difference in an evenly-matched game, and the insertion of Garcia under center to add a little more stability to a Tampa Bay offense that has shown it can move the ball. The Panthers may indeed turn out to be the class of the NFC South, but the defending division winners will look like champs for at least one week.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Buccaneers 20, Panthers 16

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