Steve Smith called it a debacle. Chris Harris said he was
embarrassed. Jake Delhomme described it as awful.
A week after giving up sole possession of first place in the NFC South with a
woeful road performance, the Carolina Panthers were determined to prove they
were different than the maddeningly inconsistent non-playoff teams of the past
two years.
On Sunday, they again looked like one of the NFL’s best in a 30-7 rout of the
New Orleans Saints, who quickly unraveled after Reggie Bush left with a knee
injury and Jeremy Shockey perhaps reinjured his groin.
Delhomme threw for 195 yards and two touchdowns, Jonathan Stewart rushed for
another score and the Panthers’ defense shut down Drew Brees and the NFL’s
second-rated offense.
Carolina (5-2) has home wins over Atlanta, Kansas City and New Orleans by a
combined 88-16. But also the Panthers had a 27-3 loss at Tampa Bay last
weekend...
Mike Karney rushed to the left for 1 yard gain (Taylor
Mehlhaff made PAT)
7 - 3
9:58
CAR
TD
Jonathan Stewart rushed to the right for 18 yard gain
(John Kasay made PAT)
7 - 10
3:28
CAR
FG
John Kasay kicked a 48-yard field goal
7 - 13
3rd Quarter
12:39
CAR
TD
Jake Delhomme passed to Steve Smith down the middle for
39 yard gain (John Kasay made PAT)
7 - 20
3:58
CAR
TD
Jake Delhomme passed to DeAngelo Williams to the right
for 4 yard gain (John Kasay made PAT)
7 - 27
4th Quarter
1:57
CAR
FG
John Kasay kicked a 28-yard field goal
7 - 30
Team Statistics
NO
CAR
First Downs
17
17
Passing
9
10
Rushing
7
7
Penalty
1
0
Third Down Efficiency
5-12
7-15
Fourth Down Efficiency
0-2
0-0
TOTAL NET YARDS
343
336
Total Plays
62
60
Average Gain Per Play
5.5
5.6
NET YARDS RUSHING
115
143
Rushes
22
37
Average Per Rush
5.2
3.9
NET YARDS PASSING
228
193
Completions-Attempts
21-39
14-22
Yards Per Pass Play
5.7
8.4
Times Sacked
1
1
Yards Lost to Sacks
3
2
Had Intercepted
1
0
PUNTS
5
5
Average Punt
35.4
47.4
PENALTIES
3
3
Penalty Yards
30
29
FUMBLES
1
0
Fumbles Lost
1
0
TIME OF POSSESSION
27:00
33:00
Pregame Previews, Storylines,
and News
New Page 1
Preview:
The inconsistent New Orleans Saints are coming off their most
complete outing of the season. Now, the key will be to avoid taking another step
backwards. The Saints look to build on their most convincing win of the year
Sunday when they visit the NFC South rival Carolina Panthers, who hope to
rebound from a lopsided division loss. Through the season's first six weeks, New
Orleans (3-3) has looked good at times and awful at others. The Saints boast one
of the NFL's most prolific offenses...more
Pick: Jake Delhomme is 6-2 vs. the Saints, however the
Saints defense is a lot better than it was in those previous meetings and the
Saints are a little more desperate. The road team has also won
12 of 15 straight up, and has covered the last 13 in a row in this series. Saints 31 - Panthers 28
Notable:
The Saints have one of the NFL's most explosive offenses, but
have been painfully inconsistent, as evidenced by their 3-3 record. If they can
avoid dumb penalties and turnovers in this game, the Panthers may be in for a
long afternoon
12.9
22.2