The Carolina Panthers defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by the score of 38 to 19.  Thanks for checking out my review of the Panthers at the Buc’s game. Shortly before the game we found out that Tampa Quarterback Josh Freeman was out with a shoulder injury.

I am not sure Josh Freeman would have made a difference in the Bucs versus Panthers game.Carolina came out hot and played hard even when the game was already decided. The Panthers didn’t let up and allow the Buc’s to get back in the game.

Tampa backup quarterback Josh Johnson looked a little shaky at first but played hard and got better as the game progressed. I had feared the Tampa running game but the Panthers quick lead negated that and forced Johnson to pass often.

Cam Newton had a great game against Tampa Bay. Cam Newton tied then broke the single season record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback. In a class move Cam Newton gave that record setting ball to a young lady wearing a shirt with Newton’s name on it, in the stands.

Cam Newton completed 12 of 21 passes for 204 yards, one touchdown and no turnovers against Tampa Bay.Newton also rushed for 54 yards on 14 carries and three touchdowns and even caught a 27 yard pass from Legedu Naanee.

Brandon LaFell had a nice game with three catches for 64 yards in his new starting role. Legedu Naanee caught two including a very nice touchdown pass and Steve Smith caught two for 32 yards.

Jonathan Stewart had a great game and ran with abandon against Tampa Bay. Stewart rushed for 80 yards on 14 carries and added two receptions for 19 yards. DeAngelo Williams ran for 29 yards on 11 carries.

The Carolina Panthers defense had a nice game against Josh Johnson and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Johnson was Tampa’s leading rusher with 45 yards and he was held to 229 yards, one score and one INT is the passing game.

However the fact that your three leading tacklers were defensive backs is not a good sign for the Carolina Panthers defense. Godfrey had seven tackles and two assists while Gamble added five tackles and one assist. Greg Hardy and Charles “Big Money” Johnson had three tackles each and Johnson added a sack.

I felt the Panthers had a good game against the Buccaneers and showed some team maturity. In the past Carolina had a tendency to play down to the level of their opponents. I had feared the Panthers would let down when they knew Freeman was out. Next up for the Carolina Panthers is the Atlanta Falcons.

Thanks for checking out my preview of the Carolina Panthers at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers game on Sunday December 4^th 2011. This preview of the Panthers at the Buc's will have a Carolina slant since I blog about them.

Josh Freeman has been playing hurt this year and has little help thus isn’t having the best of seasons for the Bucs. Still the Tampa offense is better than their dreadful defense which struggles against the run AND the pass.

The Panthers and Bucs are division rivals and in the NFC South home teams tend to win division games. But I feel that the struggling Bucs are ripe for the picking by Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers.

If Cam Newton and the Panthers offense can jump off to a quick lead, the running game can keep Freeman off the field. I think if the Panthers can get that quick lead they may break the will of the Bucs and end the game in a route of their division foe.

I hope Carolina does give the Bucs defense a healthy dose of “Double Trouble” AKA DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. This will keep the Buc’s own running backs on the bench and as we know run defense is the bane of the Carolina Panthers in 2011.

 LeGarrette Blount and Ernest Graham are both having a good season when healthy and I don’t want the Bucs grinding the ball out with them. Freeman when hot is a beast but I would rather the Panthers make him pass than see that Tampa run offense getting first down after first down. My biggest fear in the passing game for the Bucs is Kellen Winslow the tight end who is having a solid season.

The problem the Panthers defense is that almost all the linebackers are injured in some fashion. For the last two seasons it’s like a jinx against any linebackers playing for the Panthers.

I do like the Carolina Panthers chances against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. Putting away a bad Colts team has shown the Panthers that they can win a game and that confidence boost is much needed. I am also impressed with the improved special teams play from the last couple of games for the Carolina Panthers.

My prediction for the Carolina Panthers at the Tampa Bay Bucs is a 28 to 23 win by the Panthers. Please leave a comment and tell me if you agree with my assessment of the game. Also you can check me out on Twitter here.