TV/radio: 7:30 Monday; ESPN, WSCR-AM 670.
Line: Panthers by 3.
Series: Panthers 9-7.
Last meeting: Bucs won 27-3 on Oct. 12.
Last week: Bucs beat Saints 23-20; Panthers beat Packers 35-31.
Buccaneers update: Winner takes sole possession of 1st place in NFC South. … QB Jeff Garcia has won 5 straight starts vs. Panthers, with 9 TDs and 3 INTs. … Picked off Jake Delhomme 3 times in 1st meeting. … CB Ronde Barber has 11 career defensive TDs, most by active player and 3rd all-time.
Panthers update: Are 6-0 at home after 2-6 mark last year. … DeAngelo Williams needs 45 yards to become 3rd RB in team history to rush for 1,000, joining Anthony Johnson (1,120 in ’96), Stephen Davis (1,444 in ’03). … Steve Smith has 273 yards receiving in last 2 games.
Terry Bannon’s pick: Panthers 27, Bucs 20.
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EDITED BY ED CAVANAUGH AND DANIEL ELLMAN
