Steve Smith of the Carolina Panthers is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. Though he is shorter than a typical receivers, he plays bigger than his size on every down as any Panther and NFL fan will attest to. He really shows up every game ready to dominate the opponent with his leaping catches and blazing speed. (more...)
Well it is now finally over, the Carolina Panthers lost at home to the Arizona Cardinals. Not only did they lose they were defeated at home as well. which hasn't happened all season long. well as the old saying goes "always a first time for everything...."
I could start off with player stats, but that is kinda boring.. I will get to it later but i just want to start off simply by saying this. The reason the Panthers lost is one big problem that Jake Delhomme had and that was his Interceptions. Five might I remind you, five that is a very large reason why the lost came so easy. Jake only had twelve all season long and to have five in this post season game is unacceptable. If it wasn't for the pass Jake threw to Johnathon Stewart in the first quarter, and the desperate "try to at least get something on the board" throw in the fourth to Steve Smith, Carolina would not even have gotten the Pathetic thirteen points that they did get.
Today is Jake's birthday and what a horrible way to turn a year older, with a very pathetic attempt to try to prove that you are a Professional Quarterback, and that even though your team had basically won all their games by the grace of their kicker "the only original team member whom is John Casey" to kick field goals and win by three with only seconds left in the game. All I can say is this for the Panther fans I am sorry that you got your hopes up and that you had to finally grasp the concept that the Panthers aren't that good and haven't been. Without their kicker they would never had even made this far.
With The Carolina Panthers coming off a Disappointing loss to the Superbowl Champs 
the New York Giants, will this be their week to shine once again like they did in week 7 with a win over the Saints????
The Panthers have played well all season and that is why they are first in their division, but this coming weekend is a hugh game not only for the divisional stand point, but for both teams as well. Carolina and the Saints have always been at each other throat's. It should be an excellent game since the Saints have gotten most of their key players back. Unlike what happened in week 7, I do believe the Panthers will have to beat the Saints this time. The last match-up was kinda unfair, since Marques Colston was out with a broken finger, Jeremy Shockey was out with a sport 's hernia, and let's not forget this is the week where Reggie Bush got a knee injury and is still dealing with it to this day. Yes the Panthers have been strong all season, but can they actually defeat the Saints when the whole team is playing???? We shall see.
Just a little stats to make my theory a little more strong. First is Jake Delhomme vs Drew Brees Delhomme is ranked # 22 in the NFL. Where as Brees is ranked # 1 Running Backs; Carolina's DeAngelo Williams is ranked # 5 where as Pierre Thomas for the Saints is ranked # 3 Wide Receiver's; Saints Marques Colston is ranked # 8 and Steve Smith for Carolina is ranked # 13. Tight Ends; Panthers Jeff King is Ranked # 31 where as Jeremy Shockey Saints tight end is ranked # 9. So with all the hype Carolina has gotten this year, it seems kinda like everyone has forgotten the Saints. Well that might be a very hugh mistake to have made. With the stats the Saints have, they could EASILY beat Carolina. we shall see!!!!!!
Going into the game Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Carolina Panthers were tied (9 -3). Tampa was sitting pretty on top of the NFC south division.
Carolina was the first to score. They drove down field but had to settle with a field goal in the first quarter. In the second quarter Tampa came back with a long drive to also be stop and had to settle with a field goal to tie (3-3). Moments later the Panthers wound up in Tampa's red zone, but the Buccaneers couldn't stop that drive which allowed Carolina to get a touchdown and advance the lead (10 - 3) at halftime.
The third quarter came and Tampa seemed to finally step up their game plan,scoring two touchdowns in the third. Panthers also scored another touchdown as well, leaving the game tied going into the fourth quarter.
It's in the fourth quarter where Tampa really bucc'ed up !!!! and allowed the Panthers to score three touchdowns in the fourth. Tampa did get a touchdown as well but missed the extra point. And in the final three moments of the game was the Heart breaker for Tampa Bay. DeAngelo Williams ran right through Tampa's defense and got a 36 yard touchdown to finish out the night .The Panthers won the game with the final score at (38-23).
Tampa Bay came into the game as divisional leader, but left as second and the Panthers took their place once again on top. The Panthers proved tonight that this could very easily be the best team in their history. With only three games left in regular season play, the Panthers could once again wind up at the Superbowl. Who knows they might even win if they continue to play as well as they have, only time will tell.
photo credit: allygirl520 The Carolina panthers have been pretty impressive this season,with a 9-3-0 record and second in their division. In all fairness they are still tied for first with Tampa Bay. This brings me to the title of this blog.
Starting with week fourteen Carolina will be fighting to regain their top seat among the NFC south division. Monday's night game will be Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers. First off Jake Delhomme is pretty impressive against teams from the NFC south. Week 4 he passed for 294 yards,with two touchdowns to win against Atlanta (24-9). Week 6 even though they lost to Tampa Bay (3-27), Jake did play well with 242 passing yards but had no touchdowns. The next week the Panthers played and won against the Saints (30-7). Jake did pretty well with 195 yards passing and two touchdowns. Week 12 Atlanta got their revenge and did it very well(45-28). Jake had his best game of the season thus far,even though they lost badly. Jake had 295 passing yards and one touchdown.
Panthers have to face some pretty impressive teams these last four weeks. Starting off with Tampa Bay(9-3-0-) this week, Denver the next week(7-5-0-). Then week 16 they travel to New York to face the Giants(11-1-0). Finally week 17 they are on the road at the Saints(6-6-0).
Will the panthers rise to the top or will they wind up last in their division. Anything can happen on any giving Sunday .The next four weeks will be hard for all of the NFC south teams,but if Carolina isn't careful these four weeks could be their demise.