Bucs Can't Slow Panthers' Playoff Drive Ira Kaufman, The Tampa Tribune, published 27 December 2004 The Panthers were cautious not to crow too loudly Sunday after treating the Bucs like a speed bump on the path to NFL history. Continuing their gritty comeback from a 1-7 start, the Panthers took a major step toward an NFC wild-card playoff berth with a 37-20 triumph against the Bucs. By improving to 7-8 and sweeping Tampa Bay for the second consecutive year, Carolina could be in position to secure a once-unlikely postseason spot by beating New Orleans on Sunday in Charlotte, N.C. No team in league history has made the playoffs after a 1-7 start. ``That's a great team over there, but right now, we've got Tampa's number,'' defensive tackle Brentson Buckner said after Carolina forced three turnovers and limited the Bucs to only 56 snaps. ``Next year, it'll be a war all over again because they've got some great players over there. Tampa played hard, but it wasn't their day.'' Jake Delhomme made sure of that, throwing four touchdown passes while completing 19 of 24 attempts. A week ago, Delhomme's overtime interception in Atlanta led to the winning score, ending Carolina's five-game winning streak. ``It did bother me, but I looked forward to going out here today and making plays for my team,'' said Delhomme, who was sacked only once. ``There's no quit on this team. We've got high-character guys who never pointed fingers. At the end of the day, we were 1-7 and we knew as players that we weren't making enough plays. I believe when you have good people, you play better together.'' Nick Goings added 127 yards on the ground as Carolina maintained possession for more than 35 minutes. ``We've got a tight team,'' said middle linebacker Dan Morgan, who paced the Panthers with 12 tackles. ``I mean really tight. It was bad at 1-7, but everyone in this room knew we needed to develop an identity. Now we're back to where we were last year - run the ball, stop the run and win the special teams.'' Unlike the previous three matchups against the Bucs, Carolina didn't require late dramatics. The Bucs never led and the Panthers owned at least a 10-point advantage throughout the second half. ``We bowed up today and played a good game,'' defensive end Mike Rucker said. ``In fact, we played our hearts out. It's been special to watch this team mature. In the middle of the season, we could have shut it down. Now, we've still got a chance. Just getting in the playoffs would be something, considering the way we've done it.'' Unless the 6-8 Rams win the NFC West, Carolina controls its playoff destiny. ``I know that we have a tough game ahead of us,'' said Muhsin Muhammad, who caught Delhomme's first two touchdown passes. ``We will have to be ready, and I think we will be.'' The Panthers turned their season around by staging a second-half rally at San Francisco on Nov. 14. At the time, a 37-27 victory against a lousy 49ers team hardly seemed like a turning point. ``I guess it's destined for the Saints to come to Carolina like this with everything on the line,'' Buckner said. ``Atlanta pretty much threw in the towel against New Orleans by sitting Michael Vick. It's going to be electric on Sunday. This is playoff game 1A. Either you win, or you go home.''