NFL Week 6 Picks

Panthers, Bucs Looking For Statement Game

Oct 12, 2008 Joshua Ryan Crawford

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Carolina Panthers clash in a crucial NFC South Matchup

Panthers @ Bucs (-1) The Carolina Panthers bring their 4-1 record down to Raymond James Stadium for a NFC South Showdown against the 3-2 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Both teams have at the least lived up to their preseason billing, while other division teams have rose and fell dramatically. The Atlanta Falcons have made huge strides behind Rookie Quarterback Matt Ryan, and the New Orleans Saints have again come up short, after being a popular preseason contender, mostly due to their anemic defensive unit.

After a down year, the NFC South is once again one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL, and aside from the beast known as the NFC East is likely the league's most well-rounded division. The Panthers were expected to be much improved after a suffering a serious wrench in their plans for '07 when Pro-Bowl Quarterback Jake Delhomme went down early in the season and did not return. In 2008, the Panthers have relied heavily on the effective two-headed runningback tandem of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, while Delhomme has been steady but not stellar, and the return of difference-maker Steve Smith to the lineup last week has given the Panthers a boost.

For the Buccaneers, the defense has been solid, but has given up an uncharacteristic amount of big plays. They have made up for it by causing several game-winning turnovers. In addition, the running-game has been great. Earnest Graham and Veteran Back Warrick Dunn have combined to be the centrical part of the Bucs offense. With the loss of deep-ball threat Joey Galloway, and the quarterback position in shambles, Tampa Bay has struggled to find offensive weapons.

The quarterback position is still a mystery. It is not clear why Jeff Garcia was benched by Jon Gruden initially, in favor of the turnover -prone Griese. In his first two starts this season, Griese threw a total of 6 picks, but the Buccaneers won, saving Griese's job. Their must have been something more to this questionable decision, because being on the outside looking in, it is painfully clear that Jeff Garcia gives the Bucs a much better chance to win than Brian Griese.

But now everything appears to be back to normal, with Garcia taking the first-team snaps, thanks to a Brian Griese injury last week in Denver. This is a pivotal division game for both teams that could change the face of their seasons, for better or worse. With Garcia at the helm, and the defense nasty as ever, the Bucs will win big at home. T.B. 30-13

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