Carolina Scores in Final Minute to Win Season-Opener
Jacksonville Jaguars (0-1) vs. Carolina Panthers (1-0)
CHARLOTTE, NC - The Carolina Panthers edged out a close victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars with a 28-25 win to open the 2003 season. The Panthers (1-0) used a strong passing offense as well as a strong red zone defense to secure the victory. Though the Jaguars (0-1) moved the ball into scoring position often, they were forced into six field goals against just one touchdown.
The game started with the Panthers taking an early lead in the first quarter, with Ricky Proehl catching a 15-yard pass from Jake Delhomme. The Jaguars, however, fought back in the second quarter, with J.J. Stokes making a significant contribution with a 31-yard reception from Mark Brunell. Despite their efforts, the Panthers maintained their lead, ending the half at 21-16.
In the third quarter, the Jaguars' kicker, Danny Boyd, kicked a 34-yard field goal, bringing the game to a narrow 21-19 in Carolina's favor going into the fourth quarter. The fourth quarter saw the Jaguars briefly taking the lead with two more field goals from Boyd, giving him a career-high six on the day. However, the Panthers reclaimed their advantage in the final minutes with their first score of the second half. Stephen Davis caught a 13-yard pass from Delhomme with 55 seconds left and the Carolina defense stood tall in the final minute, sealing their victory at 28-25.
Statistically, both teams performed fairly evenly. The Jaguars totaled 353 offensive yards, with Brunell throwing for 281 yards and a touchdown. On the Panthers' side, Delhomme passed for 277 yards and three touchdowns, though he also threw one interception. Backup quarterback Rodney Peete also tossed a nine-yard touchdown pass late in the second quarter for Carolina when Delhomme had to miss a few plays due to a minor back injury. Stephen Davis was held in check for Carolina on the ground, rushing for only 21 yards on 18 carries, barely over a yard per attempt.
The critical statistic was red zone offense, where Carolina went four-for-four on scoring touchdowns inside the 20-yard line. In comparison, Jacksonville failed to score a touchdown on any of their red zone attempts, having to settle for a field goal on all three trips inside the 20-yard line. Jacksonville's only touchdown of the game came on a big 31-yard pass from Mark Brunell from outside the red zone.
Tampa Bay Defense Dominates As Buccaneers Win 22-7 to Stay Atop NFC South
Carolina Panthers (1-1) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0)
TAMPA, FL - The Super Bowl defending champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0) dominated the Carolina Panthers (1-1) with a strong defensive performance to win 22-7.
The Buccaneers set the tone early in the game with Martin Gramatica kicking a 38-yard field goal in the first quarter. They extended their lead in the second quarter with Gramatica adding a 48-yard field goal and Brad Johnson connecting with Keyshawn Johnson for a spectacular 45-yard touchdown pass after Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme threw an interception in his own territory, setting the Buccaneers' offense up with a short field. Jake Delhomme eased the bleeding moments later, when he hooked up with Muhsin Muhammed for a 4-yard pass for a touchdown to cut the lead to 13-7, but Gramatica added another field goal before halftime to push the Buccaneers lead back to two scores at halftime, 16-7.
In the second half, the Tampa Bay defense stifled the Carolina offense, holding them scoreless. John Kasay had a chance to cut the Tampa Bay lead to 16-10 on the Panthers' opening drive of the second half, but his 49-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left. Tampa Bay kicker Martin Gramatica continued his exceptional performance, in contrast, adding two more short field goals in the fourth quarter after neither team found points in the third quarter, sealing the victory for Tampa Bay.
Offensively, the Buccaneers outperformed the Panthers with 333 offensive yards to Carolina's 266. Brad Johnson completed 24 of 31 passes for 289 yards, with one touchdown and one interception to lead the Buccaneers offense, which didn't find much success on the ground. Tampa Bay running back Michael Pittman actually made his biggest impact in the passing game, where he caught four passes for 79 yards and led the Buccaneers in the receiving yards. Keyshawn Johnson also totaled four catches for 76 yards and a touchdown for Tampa Bay.
Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme struggled against Tampa Bay's defense, particularly in the second half, completing only 19 of 43 passes for 187 yards, with one touchdown and one interception.
Martin Gramatica's five field goals played a crucial role in Tampa Bay's victory. While the Carolina defense did a good job of keeping the Buccaneers out of the end zone, Gramatica's field goals added up.
The win today keeps Tampa Bay tied for first place at the top of the NFC South along with the Atlanta Falcons, who also won today to move to 2-0. Carolina, at 1-1, will look to lick their wounds during their bye week next week, before hosting the Falcons the week after.
Michael Vick, Peerless Price Lead Falcons to Win Over Carolina
Atlanta Falcons (3-1) vs. Carolina Panthers (1-2)
CHARLOTTE, NC - The Atlanta Falcons (3-1) secured a narrow victory over the Carolina Panthers (1-2) with a 24-21 win today as they attempt to keep pace with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC South.
The Falcons opened the scoring in the first quarter with a 45-yard field goal by Jay Feely. The Panthers responded in the second quarter with an 8-yard touchdown run by Stephen Davis, taking a brief lead. However, the Falcons quickly regained control with a 3-yard touchdown run by T.J. Duckett and a 31-yard touchdown pass from Michael Vick to Peerless Price, ending the first half with a 17-7 lead.
The Panthers narrowed the gap in the third quarter with another impressive 16-yard touchdown run by Davis, but the Falcons extended their lead once again on their next drive when Peerless Price got open again deep, setting up a 74-yard touchdown catch from Michael Vick, making the score 24-14. The Panthers fought back in the fourth quarter with a 4-yard touchdown pass from Jake Delhomme to Davis, but it was too little, too late.
The Carolina defense did a good job at containing Michael Vick in the running game, but he made them pay for it in the passing game, throwing for 262 yards and two touchdowns. Peerless Price was a big reason why as the lightning quick receiver caught two deep touchdown passes and garnered six receptions for 159 yards overall. Brian Finneran also made a big impact in the passing game with 68 yards on four catches.
Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme threw for 259 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Carolina kicker John Kasay missed both of his field goal attempts, one from 49 yards and the other from 38 yards, especially important in light of the three-point margin of defeat. Kasay is now 0-for-3 on field goals this season, despite making all eight of his extra point attempts.
New Orleans Saints (1-4) vs. Carolina Panthers (1-3)
CHARLOTTE, NC - The New Orleans Saints (1-4) delivered a dominant performance against the Carolina Panthers (1-3) for a 37-6 win, their first of the season after four consecutive losses to start the season.
Carolina, who have now lost three straight, and New Orleans traded field goals in the first half, and the game went to halftime tied at 6-6. The second half would be a very different story, however.
The Saints took control in the second half, starting with a 21-yard touchdown pass from Aaron Brooks to Jerome Pathon in the third quarter. Shortly after, Brooks found Ernie Conwell for a 34-yard touchdown, extending their lead to 20-6. The fourth quarter saw the Saints extend, with Deuce McAllister rushing for a 1-yard touchdown and Carney adding another field goal. The game was sealed with Fred Thomas's 47-yard interception return for a touchdown, bringing the final score to 37-6.
After being tied at halftime, the Saints blanked Carolina in the second half 31-0.
New Orleans' defense, which was one of the worst defenses in the NFL statistically coming into today's game, completely dominated the Carolina offense. Not only were the Panthers held to just 179 yards of total offense, but they were also forced into five turnovers, a season-worst.
Jake Delhomme threw four interceptions, three of them coming in the fourth quarter as the Carolina melted down late. He also completed just 16 of 39 pass attempts.
Aaron Brooks, on the other hand, had a great game quarterbacking the Saints. Brooks passed for 212 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. He also ran for 23 yards, including two successful scrambles on third-and-longs.
Donte Stallworth led the Saints in receiving with four catches for 72 yards, but Jerome Pathon and Ernie Conwell each caught touchdowns from Brooks.
Next, Carolina will travel to Indianapolis, IN to take on Peyton Manning and the Colts.
Idrees Bashir Picks Off Jake Delhomme in Waning Seconds, Colts Beats Carolina 19-13
Carolina Panthers (1-4) vs. Indianapolis Colts (4-2)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Idrees Bashir intercepted Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme with 28 seconds left, ending the Panthers' comeback hopes as Indianapolis held on to win at home 19-13.
The Panthers (1-4) led at halftime 10-6, and had a chance to take a 16-13 lead in the fourth quarter, but John Kasay erred on a 44-yard field goal attempt, his fourth miss in seven attempts this season.
Instead, moments later, Indianapolis Colts (4-2) kicker Mike Vanderjagt kicked a long field goal through the uprights to give his team a 16-13 lead. Then, after Carolina went four-and-out on their ensuing possession, he kicked through another, giving the Colts a 19-13 lead with just over two minutes remaining in the game.
Jake Delhomme, who had had an up-and-down game, but hadn't turned the football over after throwing four picks last week at home against New Orleans, led a great drive down the field, and the Panthers reached the Indianapolis 31-yard line with 40 seconds remaining. Unfortunately for him and his team, from there things spiraled out of control.
The Colts' defensive line got pressure on Delhomme on a blitz up the middle, and Delhomme rolled out to his left. About to get sacked, Delhomme unloaded a pass towards the sideline in an attempt to throw it away, but his pass didn't quite make it to the sideline, and Idrees Bashir ended the game with an interception.
"It hurts to lose like that," said Delhomme about his last-minute interception. "I've let my team down with two many turnovers this year, and that's just another in a long list. I've got to do better."
Delhomme has thrown an interception in every one of Carolina's five games this season, and has eight interceptions overall.
Delhomme threw for 198 yards, one touchdown, and one interception for Carolina, but it was Stephen Davis who had a breakout performance. The veteran tailback had his best game this season with 117 yards rushing, frequently keeping Carolina drives alive with consistent running between the tackles and beyond, keeping Peyton Manning off the field.
Manning still had a decent outing, throwing for 218 yards, but he didn't throw any touchdown passes, nor did he turn the ball over, either. Indianapolis only scored one touchdown, a short run by Edgerrin James in the third quarter. James rushed for 41 yards on 13 carries.
Carolina, now losers of four straight games, will host the Tennessee Titans next Sunday.
McNair's Hail Mary, Nedney's Leg Give Carolina Fifth Straight Loss
Tennessee Titans (4-3) vs. Carolina Panthers (1-5)
CHARLOTTE, NC - The Carolina Panthers (1-5) were dealt their fifth straight loss today in excruciating fashion as a Hail Mary and an overtime walk-off field goal decided the game, as the Tennessee Titans (4-3) beat the Panthers in Charlotte 23-20.
The Panthers had the ball with time winding out at the goal line with the game tied 13-13. Stephen Davis took a handoff from the two yard line aiming to get the ball centered for a walk-off kick by Jason Kasay, but instead he ended up in the end zone to score a touchdown as he met little opposition from the Titan's defense. With only five seconds left, it wasn't likely to matter as Carolina now led 20-13, but the Titans would get one last chance to tie the game up.
Steve McNair tossed up a Hail Mary with time expired to Derrick Mason, and Mason broke a tackle to scamper off for the tying score to send the game to overtime.
"My jaw dropped," said Carolina head coach John Fox, when describing the play. "There were so many mistakes there, from scoring the touchdown in the first place to letting them beat us deep like that."
In overtime, the Titans won the toss and the Panthers seemed to be deer in the headlights from there. Eddie George paced the Tennessee offense down the field with several great runs, setting up Joe Nedney for a 37-yard walk-off kick, which he drilled right down the middle.
Steve McNair, despite his late-game heroics, struggled today, throwing for 212 yards, two touchdowns, and three costly interceptions. Eddie George ran for 91 yards, and also added 32 yards receiving.
Jake Delhomme, for the first time this season, didn't turn the football for Carolina, and passed for 163 yards and a touchdown. Stephen Davis ran for over 100 yards for the second straight game, rushing for 116 yards and a touchdown on 33 carries. Delhomme also made an impact on the ground with 14 rushing yards, including a key third down conversion on the Panthers' final touchdown drive.