BucShotz

By TOM JONES, Times Staff Writer
Published December 30, 2007

The poll

How long should the Bucs' starters play against the Panthers?

42%

A quarter or less

33%

Half the game

15%

Not at all

10%

The whole game

404

Total votes

Inside the numbers

0 The Bucs have yet to lose a division game this season, having gone 5-0. No Bucs team has ever gone undefeated in the division. The best division records in franchise history are 5-1 in 2001 and 6-2 in 1979 and 1981.

5 Bucs coach Jon Gruden has won only 5 of 12 meetings in his coaching career against the Panthers and is only 4-7 as head coach of the Bucs against Carolina.

7 Carolina has won seven of the past nine meetings against the Bucs.

15.9 The Bucs have allowed 15.9 points per game this season, tied with New England coming into the weekend for best in the NFL.

Check it out

After such a big turnout last week, the Beach Theatre, at 315 Corey Ave. in St. Pete Beach, will once again show today's Bucs game in high definition on its 11- by 27-foot screen with digital surround sound. Admission is free, and there will be concessions and beer bucket specials.

They said it

"Looking at the NFC and you look at how Dallas has been struggling a little bit, and the Packers, they're not playing that well, and how it's pretty even throughout the NFC. I'm saying Tampa Bay, who's been under the radar ... is going to the Super Bowl this year because they've got a really good coach and a quarterback that can get them there."

Dan Marino, HBO's Inside the NFL

Tampa Bay linebacker Derrick Brooks (above) will tell you that his team's rivalry with the Carolina Panthers is among the fiercest in the NFL.

But how fierce can it be in Tampa Bay, when the Buccaneers are expected to rest many, if not most, of their starters as they prepare for the playoffs?

The Bucs (9-6), as champions of the NFC South Division, are already in. They'll be looking to give their key players some time off and protect them from injury.

The Panthers, out of the playoff picture at 6-9, will be playing for pride.

"We're resting some of our starters, too. We have been for some time," Carolina coach John Fox said Thursday to general laughter. Fox, of course, was referring to the Panthers' injury problems.

Stan Olson, Charlotte Observer

The picks

In what is believed to be a sportsbook record, not a single wager is placed on this game by any man, woman or gecko in the state of Nevada. Bucs, 13-12.

Peter King, Sports Illustrated

This one means nothing for either team. The Bucs will rest guys. The Panthers will not. But are the Panthers even good enough to win against the Bucs backups? Yes, but barely. Panthers, 21-20.

Pete Prisco, CBSportsline

One of five games this week in which the favorite/betting line seem screwball because the team that should be favored has nothing to play for and will be coasting with starters hardly playing. Bucs, 19-14.

Greg Cote, Miami Herald

[Last modified December 29, 2007, 18:20:04]