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.