Buccaneers Pillage Carolina

Carr demolished, Cadillac banged up in 20-7 drubbing of divisional rivals
By Jesse Andrews,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 1, 2007 3:30 AM CDT
Buccaneers Pillage Carolina
Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Earnest Graham (34) reaches across the goal line for a touchdown as Carolina Panthers' Thomas Davis (58) and Jon Beason (52) defend in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 30, 2007. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)   (Associated Press)

Tampa Bay took sole possession of first in the chaotic AFC South with a 20-7 blowout over rival Carolina, but the trouncing demanded a stiff toll. Starting tailback Carnell "Cadillac" Williams and tackle Luke Petitgout both suffered season-ending injuries. Williams tore his right patellar tendon, Petitgout the ACL in his right knee.

The Buccaneers got their second win in nine games against the Panthers with a creative defense that blanketed Carolina's dangerous receivers, causing backup David Carr to struggle. Tampa's wily veteran quarterback Jeff Garcia made it four games in a row without a pick, throwing for 176 yards and running for a 3-yard score. (More NFL stories.)

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