Game Preview
Mike Krueger
Predicted Score: Buccaneers 21, Panthers 13
Tampa Bay: The Bucs have given new meaning to the phrase "running back-by-committee." Cadillac Willliams, Michael Pittman and Earnerst Graham all got into the act last week with Graham finding the endzone twice. Cadillac remains the starter but will continue to share time until his bruised ribs fully heal. QB Jeff Garcia has been down right efficient completing 66% of his passes the last two weeks but has posted modest numbers to date and remains only a bye week consideration at the QB position. Joey Galloway is your lone fantasy consideration as your number three receiver but does go against a secondary that just gave up 127 yards to Roddy White.
- Start: WR Joey Galloway
- Consider: RB Cadillac Williams (inj), QB Jeff Garcia, RB Michael Pittman
- Sit: WR Ike Hilliard, TE Alex Smith, TE Jerramy Stevens
Panthers: With Jake Delhomme sitting out practice Wednesday and Thursday (elbow) we'll likely see David Carr at the controls of the Panthers offense on Sunday. Delhomme has been a bright spot for Carolina throwing 8 TDs and only 1 interception. Wide receiver Steve Smith was held to one catch last week but should find room to roam against the Bucs cover-2 secondary. He's a must start. DeShaun Foster has posted two nice games and one dud while DeAngelo Williams averages 10-15 per contest. The Panthers have taken 7 out of the last 8 from Tampa Bay but something tells me the Bucs will test him early with blitzes, maybe leading to a defensive score tips the scales in favor of Chucky.
- Start: WR Steve Smith, RB DeShaun Foster
- Consider: TE Jeff King, RB DeAngelo Williams
- Sit: QB Jake Delhomme, WR Drew Carter, WR Keary Colbert, WR Dwayne Jarrett