Bucs Rest Starters, Fall to Panthers 31-23

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) _ Tampa Bay resting most of its starters for the playoffs didn't stop Carolina from treating its season finale as a meaningful game and giving Vinny Testaverde a nice send-off.

DeAngelo Williams rushed for 121 yards and two second-half touchdowns, helping the Panthers beat the NFC South champion Buccaneers 31-23 with the retiring 44-year-old Testaverde taking the last snap in the same city where he began his NFL career in 1987.

Matt Moore threw for 174 yards and two TDs for Carolina (7-9) in his third pro start.

The Bucs will enter the playoffs on a two-game losing streak after treating the past two weeks much like the preseason.