Coming off a divisional road win over the Falcons, the Panthers went home, donned their alternate uniforms, and prepared for another NFC South fight, as Carolina dueled with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the division lead on the line. With QB Jake Delhomme unable to start with an elbow injury on his throwing arm, QB David Carr was given the start. In the first quarter, the Panthers struggled as Buccaneers QB Jeff Garcia got a 3-yard TD run, while RB Earnest Graham got a 1-yard TD run. In the second quarter, Carolina continued to struggle as kicker Matt Bryant got a 25-yard field goal for the only score of the period. After a scoreless third quarter, Tampa Bay sealed the win with Bryant nailing a 38-yard field goal. Afterwards, the Panthers would get their only score of the game with Carr completing a 24-yard TD pass to RB DeAngelo Williams.. Whose first quarter touchdown run was longer, Garcias or Grahams?