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Tyrell Sutton has become a handy utility player for the Panthers in the backfield and on special teams the last month. (PHOTO: ANDREW MASON / PANTHERS.COM)

CHARLOTTE -- In August, it was impossible for the Panthers to envision a scenario where Charly Martin was catching passes, Tyrell Sutton was dashing off left tackle for a double-digit gain and Hollis Thomas was the bulwark of their run defense. Of course, all were with other teams at the time -- as were backup quarterback A.J. Feeley, linebacker Quinton Culberson and defensive tackle Tank Tyler, who until going on injured reserve had become crucial to the Panthers' defensive-line rotation.

For Feeley, the time to contribute hasn't arrived, but it has for others, and Sunday it was Sutton's turn once again. Less than a month after starting at fullback when both Brad Hoover and Tony Fiammetta was hurt, Sutton was at his natural position, relieving starter Jonathan Stewart and the injured DeAngelo Williams with 38 yards on six carries.

"I was just trying to go out there, seize the opportunity and do an adequate job filling in for DeAngelo," said Sutton, who was a waiver claim from the Green Bay Packers at the roster deadline in September. "You've just got to think of the mentorship of Stew and DeAngelo and just go out there and play ball."

In limited work this year, Sutton has become one of the Panthers' most efficient skill-position players, averaging 6.8 yards on each touch from scrimmage. His 22.8-yard average on eight kickoff returns also leads the team.

For the newer Panthers -- and their teammates who've been in Charlotte for years -- the coming four games don't lack for meaning, even though their playoff odds are long, requiring four wins and a fair amount of help from others.

"We're not giving up. I don't think that's how this team responds," Hoover said. "We still have a lot to play for -- other than playoffs. There's jobs on the line; there's pride for everybody on this team and this organization. There's a lot of things that go into it."

"Bottom line: you have to motivate yourself to do those things. When times get tough, you really find out about the character of yourself and this football team."

YOU ALSO LEARN ABOUT THE QUALITY of young players and how they can help for this year and beyond -- both in their skill and how they mesh into the lineup.

That's especially true on the offensive line, where left tackle Travelle Wharton has found synergy with his replacement at left guard, second-year veteran Mackenzy Bernadeau, who looked more comfortable against the Bucs than he did in his first two starts against Miami and the Jets.

"Our fits are getting better each game," Wharton said. "You can see some things that we struggled with early on and now they're not a problem.

"We've just got to continue to get better. Every time we step out there, we've got to get better."

ALTHOUGH THE PANTHERS' GROUND GAME was back to its usual form against the Buccaneers, AFC East opposition hase been particularly difficult for the Panthers to run against during the last eight games. Carolina has averaged 124.3 yards per game and 4.8 yards per carry in losses to the Bills, Dolphins and Jets the past seven weeks compared with averages of 212.2 per game and 5.4 per carry against all other foes in the last eight weeks, beginning with the Week 6 win at Tampa Bay.

In the last eight weeks, Carolina has also produced just one 100-yard rusher in its three games against AFC East opponents -- DeAngelo Williams' 122-yard night against Miami -- but has five in as many games in that span against its other opponents, including two by Jonathan Stewart (one in each game against Tampa Bay) and three from Williams (at Tampa Bay, Arizona and New Orleans).

For the record, New England's defense ranks 15th in the league in rushing yardage allowed per game (107.9) and 18th in average per-carry allowed (4.3).

STAYING IN PRIME TIME: The NFL announced Tuesday that the Panthers' Dec. 20 game with the Minnesota Vikings will remain on Sunday night, placing the Panthers on national television for the third time this season. The game will mark Carolina's third appearance on NBC's Sunday Night Football, and first at home since a 35-14 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 29, 2006.