With every great division there comes a great rivalry, and the Carolina Panthers Tampa Bay Buccaneers rivalry is no exception.  Though the teams have only been playing each other twice a season since the division realignment in 2002, the lack of history has by no means made the battles any less intense.

Sunday, which marks the seventeenth installment of the rivalry, will go a long way in determining the eventual division winner.  As far as divisional games go, this one in crucial for Carolina.  A win against the Bucs would put the Panthers at 5-1 with a two game lead over Tampa Bay.

Keys to the Game

1. Don’t force anything- Balance will be key in this matchup.  DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart need to be able to establish the run in order to set up the pass, much like they have done in all of the Panthers wins so far this season.  The one thing the Panthers have to avoid is becoming one dimensional against a very good Tampa Bay defense.  I noticed last week Delhomme was forcing some balls to Steve Smith, and he absolutely can’t do that Sunday.  If the Panthers can keep it on the ground and control the clock, they should be able to wear down the Buc’s defense.

2. Keep the streaks going- The Panthers haven’t allowed a touchdown or a sack in 9 quarters, and have yet to allow a 100 yard rusher all season.  Those three streaks, most importantly the latter, have to be continued tomorrow.  Defensively the Panthers have been outstanding, and I don’t think quarterback Jeff Garcia, who looks to be the starter, is going to be as much of an issue as the Bucs running game, which ranks eighth in the league.

3. Good field position- So far this season the Panthers special teams has been outstanding.  Jonathan Stewart and Mark Jones have been great on punt and kickoff returns, Rhys Lloyd invaluable on kickoffs, and Jason Baker excellent on punts.  All those factors have combined to give the Panthers excellent field position, and their opponents tough field position, which are crucial in a close game.

4. Contain Jeff Garcia- Jeff Garcia is a mobile quarterback, and does a fantastic job of extending plays with his feet.  The Panthers have to be able to contain Garcia in the pocket and make him throw the ball, even if that means putting a linebacker on him during pass plays in order to cut off any scrambling from Garcia.  Garcia did not look good last week when he came in for Brian Griese.  He had a number of balls hit the ground, and looked like a 38 year old quarterback, which means the Panthers will make him beat them with his arm.

As far as injuries go, it looks like both Jordan Gross and Jeff Otah should be able to return Sunday, though both are currently listed as questionable on the teams injury report.  Ryan Kalil is doubtful with an ankle injury, and will most likely be replaced by Geoff Hangartner.  Hangartner has starting experience, playing almost the entire 2006 season, and should be able to fill in adequately if Kalil can’t go tomorrow.

7-1, that’s Jake Dehomme’s record all time against Tampa Bay.  That stat really says it all.  One play with Delhomme that comes to mind was two years ago, when the Panthers were faced with a 4th and 11 situation with under a minute to play, down by two.  Delhomme managed to scramble for a first down, and eventually lead the Panthers down the field for a John Kasay, game-winning field goal.

I really like how the Panthers have been playing, and they seem to be building momentum and confidence with each game.  They’ve got a defense that can keep you in the ballgame, and an offense that can score when it needs to.

Panthers 24, Buccaneers, 13

Tags: buccaneers, nfc south, panthers