Panthers 38, Buccaneers 23: Carolina Runs Their Way to NFC South Lead

Coming into tonight's game, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers allowed just one rushing touchdown all season long. Tonight the Carolina Panthers broke through with four rushing touchdowns in their Monday night showdown with the Bucs.

The Panthers ran for 299 yards in the 38-23 win over Tampa Bay. The win places Carolina in first place by a game over the Buccaneers.

DeAngelo Williams rushed for a career-high 186 yards and two TDs. His 13 touchdowns this season sets a Panthers franchise record. Jonathan Stewart added 115 yards and two scores of his own. Despite all the running going on, Steve Smith still was able to catch nine passes for 117 yards and a touchdown.

All that helped negate Tampa's Antonio Bryant's 200 yards receiving and two touchdowns. It also negated another mediocre game from quarterback Jake Delhomme. Take away that long touchdown to Smith and Delhomme would have thrown for just 135 yards and two interceptions.

Well, who needs a quarterback when you can just run all over the fourth-ranked defense?

Carolina is now a franchise-best 10-3 and a one-game lead in the NFC South. They needed this because they have one of the toughest schedules to close out the season. Next week is their home finale against the AFC West leading Denver Broncos. After that is what could be a battle for the NFC's top seed when they take on the Giants in New York. The Panthers will close out the season in New Orleans.

That tough road means that Tampa Bay isn't out of it, though they have their own problems. They travel to Atlanta to face a Falcons team fighting for a playoff spot. They will then host the Chargers and Raiders -- both very winnable games.

Forget those cold days in the NFC North or the battles with the NFC East; the four NFC South teams are a combined 24-2 at home.