Look out Charlotte, here comes trouble

Tonight's Monday night game is one of the better matchups we've seen in a long time. Usually at this time of the season, we have to endure some snoozer of a game, but not this year. Two 9-3 teams fighting for the division lead. The winner of tonight's game will be in sole possession of 1st place in the NFC South and it appears the South's winner should get a #2 seed in the playoffs and a week off.

Here are ten observations for tonight's game.

1. Account for Peppers.
Of course this goes without saying. Peppers has always seemed to have big games against the Bucs. Last year was an off year for him, but he has 11 sacks so far this year, and 7 of those have come in the past three games.

2. Slay the two headed monster.
DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart have led the Panthers to one of best running attacks in the NFL. Williams has 955 yards and 11 scores, while rookie Stewart has 584 yards and 6 touchdowns. The Bucs have only allowed 1 100 yard rushing game by an opponent this year and yield just 1 rushing touchdown. Williams is coming off a game where he scored 4 times in Green Bay. Tampa usually shuts down some big name running backs and tonight should be no different. However, Jovan Haye is out for tonight's game, so the Defensive line is going to need to step up.

3. Steve Smith.
I hate this dude. It seems like an accomplishment to hold him to just 100 yards. The past two games, Smith has 12 catches for 173 yards. He'll be matched up tonight against Ronde Barber. I had noticed a slip in Barber's play earlier in the year, but it was just reported this week that Ronde has been battling through an undisclosed injury. The past few weeks though, Ronde has been playing much better. It would still be wise though to give Barber some help over the top with Smith.

4. Give Stevens more looks.
Last week TE Jeramy Stevens only had 1 reception. I think he matches up well against Carolina's linebackers. The Bucs should be able to run against the Panthers. Warrick Dunn had 115 yards on 22 touches in week 6 this year. I believe Carnell Williams should see around 12 touches tonight as well. With the running game clicking, that will open up the tight end play. I'd like to see Stevens get 5-6 looks tonight.

5. Grab Delhomme.
Sacks are always great, however I'd like to see Gaines Adams and Greg White around Delhomme tonight. Both defensive ends have shown the ability to strip the ball and Delhomme does like to oblige but having a tendency to fumble.

6. Tightends seem to give the Bucs fits at times.
Granted the Panthers don't have an elite TE, but teams seem to pick apart the seams of our defense with play from that position. Rosario has only 18 receptions this season but has missed time with injuries.

7. Short Field.
This season, the Bucs drafted Dexter "skids" Jackson with their second round selection. By the 9th week of the season, Coach Gruden had seen enough and promoted Clifton Smith. Smith was an undrafted free agent running back out of Fresno State University. Smith has been a treasure for the Bucs this year, returning a kickoff for a touchdown in his first game. In four games, Smith has racked up 841 combined return yardage, has a hefty 17.6 punt return average and is the only Buccaneer in team history to return both a kickoff and a punt for a touchdown in the same year. On the other side of the field, the Panthers signed former Buc, Mark Jones in the offseason and he has provided Carolina a good return game as well. The Bucs will have to be on their coverages tonight. Field position will be key.

8. White Tiger Sighting tonight.
For many of the past weeks, I've been checking milk cartons at Publix to see if I could find Joey Galloway. With Clayton dealing with a knee issue, I believe we might actually have a Galloway sighting tonight. Joey snags 3 for 60 tonight.

9. Temper Trueblood.
By now, I'm sure defensive coordinators are well aware of Jeremy Trueblood's short fuse. I have no doubt that the D line of Carolina will try to bait Trueblood into going off and causing a few 15 yard penalties. Davin Joseph needs to have his man's back tonight.

10. Keep Carolina outside of the 35.
Carolina has one of the best long distance kickers in the NFL. Bucs fans should remember the September 24th 2006 game. The infamous spleen bowl. John Kasay kicked 4 field goals in that game. He kicked them from 51, 50, 49 and a 46 yarder with 2 seconds left to win the game 26-24 in Tampa. Tonight's game might just come down to a last second field goal for the win so the Panthers are driving late, stop them outside of the 35!

Although the Bucs have started slowly in the past few road games against Kansas City and Detroit, Derrick Brooks and Warrick Dunn realize how important this game is and the Bucs will be more impressive tonight. Bucs win 23-20.