Mon, Dec 01, 2008
 Carolina has won eight of 12 games against Tampa Bay since the NFL realigned divisions in 2002, including a 31-23 win last December.
MCT 2007
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Carolina seeks control of South against BucsThe Associated Press
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 10.12.2008
TAMPA, Fla. — Carolina vs. Tampa Bay. Just the thought makes the Panthers and Buccaneers seethe.
"It's the age-old saying," Bucs defensive tackle Chris Hovan said. "They don't like us. We don't like them."
Such is life in the NFC South, where no team has finished first in consecutive seasons and the past five champions have plummeted to last place the following year — a trend that Tampa Bay (3-2) hopes to stop in 2008.
Carolina (4-1) has won eight of 12 meetings since the formation of the division in 2002, including five straight at Raymond James Stadium, where they tangle for first place today.
Ten-time Pro Bowl linebacker Derrick Brooks calls the series, dominated by Carolina since the Bucs swept the Panthers on the way to winning the Super Bowl six years ago, Tampa Bay's biggest rivalry.
"Contrary to other people's opinion, I feel that this is the toughest division to win, because every year, the division champs have been another team," Brooks said. "After Sunday, we will have played all three teams, and we don't face another division opponent until the end of November. So this is very important for us."
Carolina, coming off a 34-0 rout of Kansas City, is eyeing its first 5-1 start since 2003, when the Panthers won the division title and went on to appear in the Super Bowl. They haven't lost in Tampa in six years.
"Any time you dominate from start to finish on both sides of the ball and in the kicking game, that's impressive," Bucs coach Jon Gruden said of Carolina's destruction of the Chiefs, who upset Denver two weeks ago.
The Broncos beat Tampa Bay 16-13 last Sunday.
"I had to turn the film off and go for a walk. I got a little nervous, you know what I mean?" Gruden joked. "That was a big victory for Carolina and that was a great win on the road to start the season at San Diego. ... They have been very stingy on defense and they're very clearly a confident bunch."
But there's also reason for the Panthers to be wary.
With Brian Griese at less than 100 percent after injuring his throwing elbow and shoulder against Denver, the more mobile Jeff Garcia likely will regain the quarterback job he lost after a poor performance in Tampa Bay's season opener.
Garcia has beaten the Panthers four straight times, including his only start against them last year in Charlotte. With the Bucs already assured the division title, he and several other starters sat out last season Carolina's win in Tampa.
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