For the first time since 2006, the Carolina Panthers shutout an opponent, allowing only 127 yards, and collecting three sacks.  Not only did the defense play an outstanding game, but the offense was firing on all cylinders as well, amassing 441 yards of total offense, 205 on the ground, the best game offensively for Carolina so far this season.

Key Stats

3: Number of touchdowns by DeAngelo Williams.  Williams had a big, breakout game Sunday, with 123 yards on the ground, and 25 through the air.  Williams showed his burst and speed on each of the touchdowns he scored, keeping pace with Jonathan Stewart, who has put pressure on Williams for more playing time.

9-13: 3rd down conversions for the Panthers offense after three quarters. They were 10/18 overall, but that is including most of the drives in the 4th quarter, where Josh McCown was in, and the Panthers were running it all three downs. Third down efficiency had been an issue for the Panthers during the first four games of the season, averaging under 30% efficiency per game.  That was not the case Sunday, as the Panthers were able to consistently move the the chains and drive the ball down the field.

35: Rushing yards allowed by the Panthers.  The Panthers front seven looked absolutely dominant, holding Larry Johnson to only two yards all game, essentially forcing Damon Huard to throw the ball.  Granted this is coming against a Chiefs offense that has been horrible for three out of the first four games of the season.

0: Number of touchdowns/sacks allowed by the Panthers in nine quarters.  In the last two games the offensive line has been outstanding, especially considering they’ve been without two of their offensive linemen for most of those two games.  Delhomme has been hit a few times, but for the most part has been givin great pass protection.  On the other side of the ball, the defense has been just as good, keeping opponents out of the endzone.

2: Number of redzone turnovers by the Panthers in the game.  Even though the game was a blowout, the Panthers still turned the ball over twice in the redzone, once on a Jonathan Stewart fumble, and again on a Jake Delhomme interception.  Hopefully it will be a good learning experience for them both, because both of those would be big momentum changers in a close game.

The one thing I did notice was that Jake Delhomme was a little off on some of his passes to Steve Smith, he missed Smith once in the endzone, and twice on two would be touchdowns, one a deep ball that Delhomme actually overthrew.  I don’t know if it’s just poor throws on Delhomme’s part, or a timing issue between him and Smitty, but I suspect another week of practice should lead to more hookups in the endzone for the two.

Overall it was a very good win for the Panthers.  They imporved to 4-1, and now maintain sole possesion of first place in the NFC South, not to mention they’re off to the best start since the 2003 season.  This should be a good confidence builder for Jake Delhomme and the rest of the team as they head to Tampa Bay next week in what will be a key divisional showdown.

Tags: deangelo williams, delhomme, panthers