It was over when ...
The Bucs' Jeff Garcia capped an 11-play, 71-yard opening drive with a 3-yard touchdown run. Tampa Bay never looked back. Only a late touchdown from DeAngelo Williams prevented the host Panthers from being shut out.

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It was that kind of day for Steve Smith and the Panthers' offense as they could not quite find their rhythm against a touch Bucs defense.

Game balls
With Cadillac Williams out due to a first-half knee injury, backup running backs Michael Pittman and Earnest Graham did an admirable job filling in for the Buccaneers. They rushed for a combined 138 yards on 32 carries and helped Tampa Bay control the clock for more than 34 minutes.

Key stat
Playing in place of an injured Jake Delhomme, Panthers backup quaterback David Carr struggled to move the offense. He completed only 19-of-41 passes for 155 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He also was sacked three times.

Noteworthy
Williams' knee injury occurred late in the first quarter on an 18-yard run. ... With Carolina honing in on Bucs receiver Joey Galloway, it freed up Ike Hilliard to have a big game. Jeff Garcia found the veteran wideout seven times for 111 yards.