Last meeting
Jeff Garcia and Earnest Graham had rushing touchdowns as the Buccaneers defeated the host Panthers, 20-7, in Week 4.
Streaks
The Buccaneers snapped a two-game skid to the Panthers who lead the overall series 8-6.
Last week
The Cowboys spoiled Matt Moore's first NFL start, defeating the host Panthers, 20-13. Luke McCown nearly rallied the Buccaneers, but the 49ers prevailed, 21-19. McCown tossed a 24-yard touchdown pass to Jerramy Stevens with 1:20 remaining in the fourth quarter. But Michael Clayton's left foot landed out of bounds on the two-point conversion attempt.
At stake
The Panthers have been eliminated from the playoffs. The Buccaneers rested a number of starters last week, and appear content with the No. 4 seed in the NFC playoffs.
Key matchup:
Panthers quarterback Matt Moore vs. Buccaneers cornerback Ronde Barber. Moore will continue to audition for a backup role to Jake Delhomme in 2008 and perhaps become the quarterback of the future. The Panthers, no doubt, were impressed by Moore's poise against the Cowboys last week. Moore will be tested by the talented Buccaneers secondary led by Barber, who has a knack for making interceptions. The only question is how long coach Jon Gruden will go with the starters, if at all.
Did you know?
Moore, despite not playing baseball for three years, was drafted by the Angels in the 22nd round of the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft.
