Josh Freeman threw two touchdown passes and rookie LeGarrette Blount rushed for a score as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers posted a 31-16 victory over the visiting Carolina Panthers in an NFC South tilt on Sunday.

Freeman threw for 241 yards on 18 of 24 passing and did not throw an interception. He hit Arrelious Benn for an 8-yard score on Tampa Bay's opening drive and hooked up with tight end Kellen Winslow for a 20-yard touchdown with 50 seconds left in the second for a 21-10 halftime lead.

Blount rushed for 91 yards on 19 carries and scored a 17-yard touchdown for the Bucs (6-3). Cadillac Williams broke a 45-yard touchdown run with 2:42 left to seal it. Williams had 62 yards on five carries.

Despite playing without top running backs DeAngelo Williams (foot) and Jonathan Stewart (concussion), the Panthers had success against Tampa Bay's run defense. Second-year running back Mike Goodson rushed for 100 yards on 23 carries.

Carolina (1-8) couldn't get much going in the passing game, as rookie Jimmy Clausen completed only 16 of 29 passes for 191 yards - 50 of which came on the Panthers' final drive.