Tampa Bay visited division foe Carolina on Monday Night Football with first place in the NFC South on the line. The Buccaneers went 3-and-out on their first drive, while Carolina scored a field goal for the first points of the game. Late in the first quarter, Tampa Bay drove to the Carolina 22, but Matt Bryant's field goal bounced off the upright no good. In the second quarter, Jake Delhomme drove the Panthers into Tampa Bay territory. At the 19-yard line, Ronde Barber intercepted. The Buccaneers then drove to the Carolina 1-yard line, but their red zone woes continued. They failed to score a touchdown, and Matt Bryant instead tied the game at 3-3. DeAngelo Williams rushed for a 40-yard gain late in the second quarter, setting up a Jonathan Stewart touchdown run at the two-minute warning. Carolina took the lead into halftime 10-3. A penalty on the second half kickoff set Carolina up at their own 7. DeAngelo Williams again broke another long rush (28 yards), and Carolina crossed midfield. Jermaine Phillips made a "circus catch" interception, and the Buccaneers took over at the 47. Two plays later, Jeff Garcia connected to Antonio Bryant for a 50-yard touchdown bomb, tying the score at 10-10. After back-to-back "shootout" touchdowns, the score was tied 17-17 after three quarters. In the fourth quarter, the rushing duo of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart steamrolled a weary Buccaneers defense. Two touchdowns early in the fourth put the Panthers up 31-17. Garcia attempted to mount a comeback, and led the Buccaneers on an 82-yard touchdown drive. After a blocked extra point, and a failed onside kick, Carolina took over with 2:28 remaining. Facing 3rd down & 4, DeAngelo Williams stymied the Buccaneers with a breakaway 36-yard touchdown run. Carolina racked up 299 yards rushing, and took over sole possession of first place in the NFC South division.. After the game who was the current leader of the NFC south division?