MATT MOORE TO START FOR PANTHERS ON SUNDAY

The Carolina Panthers received some good news on Thursday—starting quarterback Matt Moore has been medically cleared after suffering a concussion in the season opening loss to the New York Giants.  Moore has returned to practice, and is expected to start on Sunday when the Panthers host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.  The Bucs have also dealt with injuries to their quarterback in 2010—starter Josh Freeman suffered a broken thumb in preseason and is back in the lineup though not 100%.

Moore sounded enthusiastic when questioned by the media on his condition:

"I feel good. That's where we're at. I'm planning and preparing [to start]. If something changes, so be it."

He said that he’s already put his disastrous season opening performance behind him.  Moore threw three interceptions and lost a fumble against the Giants before being knocked out of the game:

"That game is gone and we get 16 chances. We just need to make sure it doesn't happen anymore."

Carolina head coach John Fox confirmed that Moore is good to go, though he’s keeping his options open:

"Medically, yes. I go 'day to day' because my experience has been you never know with any injury, not just concussions."

Fox also indicated that assuming Moore is ready to play he has no plans to switch to rookie QB Jimmy Claussen.  Moore’s struggles weren’t entirely his fault, as his offensive line left him running for cover all game.  He ended up getting sacked four times and throwing three interceptions which were as much the fault of not having time as poor decision making.  Former Notre Dame standout Claussen had been expected to start if Moore was unable to go.

No matter which quarterback gets the nod for the Panthers, they won’t be asked to do much here.  Expect Carolina to run the ball early and often against Tampa’s defense and with the tandem of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart their rushing game is very solid.  The Bucs will have to focus most of their efforts on the rush, which could open up opportunities for Clausen/Moore to find all world receiver Steve Smith downfield.

The Panthers are a -3’ point NFL football betting favorite, with the total on the game set at 39.  
Carolina is 0-1 on the season both straight up and against the spread while Tampa Bay is 1-0 SU/ATS.  The Panthers have dominated the Bucs in head to head play, and have covered 8 of the last 10 meetings on their home field.