After the Steve Smith suspension last month, the Carolina Panthers suddenly looked in danger of going 0-2, at least to some anyway.  But with a thrilling last second, go-ahead touchdown against San Diego, and a dominant second half performance against Chicago, the Panthers find themselves at 2-0 for the first time since their Super Bowl run in 2003.

Coming into the game, both the Panthers and the Bears looked to be pretty evenly matched offensively and defensively, and it looked like the game might come down to a big special teams play.  It appeared that was going to be the case after the Panther’s first offensive possession, when the Bears blocked a Jason Baker punt, and returned it for a touchdown.  That play put the Bears up seven nothing in the first quarter, and looked like it might have decided the game, with Carolina not being able to move the ball for much of the first half.

The Panthers showed their resilience however, overcoming a 14 point, second half deficit, to eventually win the game 20-17.  The Panthers said a lot in that second half.  First of all, they tightened it up offensively, after self destructing in the first half with six pre-snap penalties.  Every time the Panthers seemed to pick up a big play, all the momentum seemed to shift back to the Bears, either with a turnover or a penalty.  But the Panthers were able to hang in there, eventually capitalizing on two forced fumbles (one by Chris Harris).

Jonathan Stewart proved his worth Sunday as well, collecting 77 yards on 14 carries, and two crucial goal line touchdowns.  It’s so refreshing to see that old, bruising style of running that the Panthers used to get with Stephen Davis.  Stewart looked fantastic on those touchdowns, and a few long runs as well, where he great burst, and broke a number of tackles.  Stewart should see more of a role next week after his performance Sunday, and with Steve Smith coming back, the Panthers should be able to really work that play-action pass if Stewart and Williams run well.

Defensively, what can you say? There really isn’t much to complain about.  Although Peppers is still without a sack, he made his presence felt, pressuring Orton, and containing Matt Forte.  Surprisingly the defense seemed to improve as the game went on, even though the heat index down on the field was in the triple digits.  Forcing two turnovers, and a number of three and outs, the defense did a great job on setting up Jake Delhomme and the offense for the final two touchdowns of the game.

One thing I did notice is how close Chris Gamble came to nearly picking off three balls.  Gamble had his hands on two balls that could have gone for six the other way, and seems to be on the brink of breaking out.  Once Peppers gets his first sack, and his confidence back, and Gamble starts catching balls, the Carolina defense will really be clicking. There were also a couple of deep balls that probably should have been completed, and iced the game in the process, but hey, that’s football.  Again, overall it was a great performance, especially on that fourth and one where the Bears fullback was completely stuffed by the Panthers defensive line, ending the game.

With Smith coming back, and Carolina’s momentum growing, the Panthers are officially a force to be reckoned with in the NFC.  Not to mention losses by New Orleans and Atlanta puts Carolina in soul possession of first place in the NFC South.

Tags: 2003, carolina panthers, chicago bears