Okay, so blowing a 20 point fourth quarter lead then rallying late to win the game with a John Kasay field goal wasn’t exactly the prettiest win in the world, but the Panthers managed to lock up the division, the number two seed in the playoffs, and a first round bye, with their win over the division rival Saints. At least they did it in classic Carolina fashion.
Coming into the fourth quarter having completely dominated New Orleans for the majority of the game, it appeared that the Panthers were going to have no trouble securing the division title. But of course, it can never be that easy with the Cardiac Cats. After failing to move the ball in the fourth quarter the Panthers suddenly found themselves down one to the Saints after three quick Drew Brees touchdowns. With the ball on the 18 and 3:11 seconds left on the clock the Panthers needed yet another rally from Jake Delhomme, and as he has done all season he delivered, hitting Steve Smith in double coverage down the field for 39 yards, setting up the 42 yard John Kasay field goal which would give the Panthers the win.
Say what you will about how clutch Tom Brady and Peyton Manning are in the fourth quarter, I’m not sure there is any other quarterback I’d want with the ball in his hands to win the game than Jake Delhomme. Three times this season Delhomme has marched his team down the field late in the fourth quarter to rally, beating San Diego, Green Bay, and now New Orleans. Of course that doesn’t include the game last week where Delhomme got them in position to win but the unpredictable winds up in the Meadowlands pushed John Kasay’s kick left. That ball Jake threw up to Smitty reminded me of the 2003 season where Delhomme threw those same type of balls up for grabs. I wrote an article at the beginning of the season about how the magic is back, and that drive Sunday was a prime example of that magic. Let’s hope it carries into January.
Key Stats
478/417- Yards forced/Yards allowed by Panthers: Well it’s official, the offense is better than the defense, at least at this point in the season. Twice now in back to back weeks the defense has blown fourth quarter leads. I can understand losing focus with a 20 point lead in the fourth quarter, but the overall trend by the Panthers defense over the last few games isn’t encouraging and the defense needs to work out whatever miscues they’ve been having over the bye week. It’s kind of funny the past few years John Fox had a defense but not a running game, now Fox has the running game but not the defense.
3- Number of times the Panthers should have picked off Drew Brees- All season the Panthers haven’t had much luck in intercepting tipped balls, but multiple times in the game Sunday the Panthers had an opportunity to intercept the ball and dropped it. I don’t know if it means working with the wide recievers coach for a little bit, but the secondary needs to start making those plays because they may end up being game changers.
7.6- Average yards per offensive play: With DeAngelo Willimas and Jonathan Stewart running full steam the Panthers offense is hitting it’s stride, and may end up carrying the team. Any team gaining an average of 7.6 yards per offensive play is a team to be recond with.
1,515- DeAngelo Williams total rushing yards this season: DeAngelo Williams broke the franchise record for yards rushed in a season set by Stephen Davis in 2003. With the performance Williams has put on in the last nine games there is absolutely no reason why he shouldn’t be considered for MVP. I know Peyton Manning will most likely end up with the award, but Williams at least deserves some consideration.
With a week off the Panthers can now rest up their depleated lines, giving Damione Lewis and Maake Kemoeatu time to heal, as well as Jeff Otah who tweaked his ankle Sunday. For now though, the Panthers can sit back and enjoy their week off and wait to see who will be coming to Charlotte in two weeks.
