Quarterback Jake Delhomme is off to one of the best starts to his career, throwing for 626 yard and eight touchdowns with just one interception for the 2-1 Panthers. Which makes his likely absence for Sunday's game against fellow 2-1 Tampa Bay bad news for Carolina.
The Carolina Panthers host the Bucs with the early lead in the NFC South up for grabs. However, Delhomme strained his right elbow last week against Atlanta and is doubtful vs. the Bucs.
"I don't know,'' Delhomme said Friday of whether he'll play Sunday. "I'm holding out hope. A couple of years ago I broke my thumb and I didn't take a snap until Saturday morning. I'm feeling better. I'm gripping the ball and it feels pretty good. We're just trying to rest it right now.''
Delhomme, who said he hasn't tried to throw since being injured in the third quarter of Carolina's win Sunday, was listed as doubtful on the team's injury report Friday.
That would mean David Carr would start against the rejuvenated Bucs defense. Carr, who replaced Delhomme late in the third quarter against the Falcons, completed three of four passes for 56 yards in two run-dominated scoring drives.
But coach John Fox wouldn't name Carr the starter yet, and Delhomme said he may wait until game time to decide.
In addition, Carolina will be without middle linebacker Dan Morgan, who hurt his ankle against Atlanta.
Carolina has won seven of the past eight meetings against Tampa Bay, and a big reason has been WR Steve Smith, who has four straight 100-yard receiving games against the Bucs.However, with the QB situation up for grabs, expect Carolina to run the ball often with DeShaun Foster and DeAngelo Williams. The Panthers have averaged more than 180 yards rushing in their two wins.
"We're going to try to keep it up, keep the game close,'' Foster said. "We want to be able to run the ball and play time of possession."
However, Tampa Bay ranks fifth in the NFL in total defense and is giving up 12.3 points per game; the Bucs' defense was only 21st last season.
In last week's shutdown of the Rams, the Bucs limited Marc Bulger to 116 yards passing and held Pro Bowler Torry Holt to less than 100 yards receiving for the first time in five meetings between the teams.
"We're expecting a lot more from them," Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden said. "Nothing's good enough yet on defense, and we're going to hold the standards where they belong here. ... We're going to be asking for a lot more."
The Bucs are also starting to come together on offense, averaging 27.5 points in their last two games. Jeff Garcia has been steady at quarterback, completing 66 percent (43-for-65) of his passes without an interception.
Williams and the Bucs offense will be facing a Panthers defense that has managed only two sacks and no interceptions. Carolina gave up 442 yards and two touchdowns to Atlanta, which had not scored an offensive TD in its first two games.
Fox said he's concerned about the lack of pass rush, but believes it's too early to tell if major changes are needed.
"We've got a lot of areas to work on," he said. "I don't know if disappointed is the right word. We're 2-1. Could be better, could be worse. That's about where we are."
The lowdown: Carolina is a -3 point betting pick on WagerWeb.com, but this game completely depends on Delhomme's status. If he plays, look for a Carolina victory; if he doesn't, the Bucs could very easily pull the upset.
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