The Carolina Panthers got minimal production from their powerhouse running game in a season-opening loss to the New York Giants.
If history is any indicator, expect that to change when the Panthers host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their home opener Sunday.
Carolina (0-1) received a combined 74 yards from running backs DeAngelo Williams (16 carries, 62 yards) and Jonathan Stewart in dropping a 31-18 decision to the Giants.
The Panthers had a two-point lead at halftime but were blanked the rest of the way until registering a late safety on a blocked punt.
Quarterback Matt Moore had an abysmal game, completing 14-of-33 passes for 182 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions. As usual, Steve Smith was Carolina’s only receiving threat with five catches for 75 yards and a score.
Adding injury to insult, Moore was sacked four times and suffered a mild concussion, although he practiced on a limited basis Wednesday and said he expected to play against the Buccaneers.
Tampa Bay (1-0) opened the season on a winning note, receiving a pair of touchdown passes from Josh Freeman in a 17-14 victory over the visiting Cleveland Browns.
Freeman's 33-yard scoring pass to Micheal Spurlock - the only points of the second half - with 6:45 to play accounted for the go-ahead touchdown.
The Bucs, though, have had trouble with their NFC South rivals, dropping their last three matchups and six of the previous eight against the Panthers.
Williams tore through Tampa Bay's defense for 152 yards and two touchdowns in the first meeting last season. He missed the rematch with an injury.
Stewart, who was held to 12 yards on five carries last weekend, had a pair of 100-yard efforts against the Bucs in 2009, scoring a touchdown in each game.
Stewart has had immense success in his brief career against Tampa Bay, amassing 345 yards and four touchdowns in the three contests. Williams has been just as impressive, racking up 486 yards and four touchdowns the last four times he faced the Bucs.
Tampa Bay will likely lean on its own running game to keep the ball away from the Panthers. Carnell “Cadillac” Williams rushed for 75 yards in last week’s win.
Freeman hit a pair of career highs in his lone start against the Panthers last season, throwing for 321 yards and getting picked off five times in a 16-6 loss on Dec. 6, 2009.
He completed passes to seven different receivers last week, with rookie Mike Williams catching a team-high five balls for only 30 yards.