ESPN can’t be happy with this match-up on Monday Night Football.  Maybe they will be surprised and these two teams will play like they did the first time they played each other this year (26-24 Carolina win).  The Bucs are 2-3 with Gradkowski at QB, but only 2-6 overall.  The Panthers are coming off of their bye week sitting at 4-4 which has been disappointing to them. 

Look for the Bucs to try to get Cadillac Williams (453 rushing yards) going.  Williams has been a little bit of a disappointment, as has the whole offense of the Bucs.  But Williams could have a good game against a Panthers defense that allows 119.8 yards rushing per game and 4.0 yards per carry.  If the Bucs get the ground game going, look for Gradkowski to take some shots down the field to his favorite receiver Joey Galloway (29 rec, 475 yards).

The Panthers would like to run the ball more and the Bucs will probably let them as they allow 133.9 yards rushing per game and 4.3 yards per carry.  DeShaun Foster (540 yards rushing) will probably get most of the carries, but DeAngelo Williams will be back on Monday and should get some carries.  Jake Delhomme (1,730 yards passing) should have time to throw the ball and Steve Smith (45 rec, 631 yards) + Keyshawn Johnson (37 rec, 479 yards) should have good games if they catch the darn ball.

The Panthers just have too much fire-power for the Bucs to keep up with.