Panthers at Buccaneers
THE STORY: In the past two meetings, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman has picked apart the Carolina Panthers. The Bucs might not have Freeman, though, when the Panthers travel to Raymond James Stadium for an NFC South matchup Sunday. An injured right shoulder has kept Freeman from participating fully in practice and could force Josh Johnson into the lineup. The Panthers have their share of concerns, but not at quarterback. Rookie Cam Newton already has topped 3,000 passing yards and has added 464 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, the most by a rookie quarterback in the Super Bowl era.
TV: FOX, 1 p.m. ET. LINE: Buccaneers -3.5, O/U 47.5
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (3-8): Carolina snapped a three-game losing streak Sunday at Indianapolis, holding off a late rally from the winless Colts for a 27-19 win when Sherrod Martin intercepted a deflected pass in the back of the end zone in the final minute. The Panthers have a prolific connection in Newton and WR Steve Smith, who leads the NFC with 1,060 receiving yards, but they haven't managed to translate their 398.7 yards per game into enough points – they rank fifth in total offense but only 16th in scoring (22.9 points per game).
ABOUT THE BUCCANEERS (4-7): Tampa Bay has lost five straight to fade quickly from the playoff picture. The Bucs swept last season's meetings, winning 20-7 at Carolina and 31-16 at home, but Freeman was the star in both. He passed for 419 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions in the two games. With or without Freeman, the Bucs will need a big game from RB LeGarrette Blount, who is aiming for his third consecutive 100-yard game.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. Bucs CB Ronde Barber has started 194 consecutive games, the most by a cornerback in NFL history. Barber is the only player in NFL history with 25 or more sacks (27) and 40 or more interceptions (42).
2. Bucs TE Kellen Winslow has at least one catch in 87 consecutive games.
3. Newton is the fourth rookie in NFL history to pass for 3,000 yards, joining Peyton Manning, Matt Ryan and Sam Bradford.