With the game completely on the line Jake Delhomme, Carolina’s quarterback, somehow was able to find a way to make up the costly mistakes his team had made that helped Tampa Bay tie the game.
Delhomme, who was struggling, handed the football to Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams over and over again.
After the defending champions of the NFC South were able to drive 80 yards during the closing minutes of the game on Sunday to defeat Tampa Bay 28-21 Williams said, I am sure that everyone inside the stadium knew exactly what we were doing.
At times they had nine guys in the box, Williams added. We still were able to get 7 to 8 yards.
The Panthers (2-3) just one week after their first win over Washington, had 267 rushing yards as well as three touchdowns, extending the worst start for Tampa Bay in 24 years.
It is the first time that Tampa Bay (0-6) has started the season losing six games in a row since 1985. They have lost ten games in a row dating back to a December lopsided defeat in Carolina. It is their longest losing streak since 1977 during a time when Tampa Bay was on their way to setting the NFL record of losing 26 games in a row.
Williams rushed for 152 yards in 30 carries, his season best, and also scored two times, including the winning touchdown with just 29 seconds to go in the game. The dive from one yard capped a drive of 16 plays that lasted over eight minutes.
John Fox, Panthers coach said, it takes tough guys to do that. We try breeding that.
Delhomme, who during the second half threw two interceptions, attempted only one pass during the winning drive. It was a four yard pass to Steve Smith, for Smith’s only catch in the game.
Williams, meanwhile, rushed for 33 yards in eight carries and Stewart had 43 yards in seven carries.
Raheem Morris, rookie head coach of Tampa Bay said, at the end we got overpowered. Really during the entire game.
Carolina (2-3) squandered their 21-7 lead, During the third quarter they gave up a kickoff return of 97 yards for a touchdown. Then Tampa Bay tied the game on an interception return of 26 yards by Tanard Jackson.
However once Carolina took the football from Delhomme, Stewart and Williams took over. During the final drive 11 out of 15 of the runs resulted in a gain of at least five yards and none resulted in a loss or no gain.
During the second quarter, Williams scored a touchdown on a run of 20 yards. Late third quarter, a 26 yard run for touchdown from Steward put the Panther ahead 21-7.
During the last meeting of the two rivals of the NFC South, both Stewart and Williams had big games when Carolina ran for 299 yards, their franchise record. Heading into Sunday’s game, the Panthers were only averaging 97.3 rushing yards per game, which put them in 23rd place in the NFL.
Delhomme went 9 for 17 for a total of 65 yards along with one touchdown. His two interceptions gave Tampa Bay an opportunity to get back into the game. During the second quarter a third turnover was forced by Tampa Bay when Jackson caused a fumble by Stewart at Tampa Bay’s 3 yard line.
In addition, the Panthers had to overcome the loss of safety Dante Wesley. Late first half Wesley was ejected after launching himself into Clifton Smith, Tampa Bay punt returner, who had given the fair catch signal.
The hit came with only ten seconds remaining in the first half that brought players off of the sidelines from both teams. It appeared that Wesley left his feet and struck the upper body of Smith using his left shoulder.
For a few minutes after the hit, Smith stayed on the ground. He was then helped up to his feet to walk off of the field. Smith missed the rest of the game due to a concussion.
Wesley claims he had just been trying to make the play. He said he had not tried to hurt Smith, who last season as a rookie was a Pro Bowler kick returner.
The pro of eight years said he hoped that the league wouldn’t fine him.
Wesley said, check my record if you want. I have never tried hurting anyone. I have never tried taking a cheap shot at anyone.
The 20 yard touchdown run by Cadillac Williams provided Tampa Bay with a 7-0 early lead. A long kickoff return by Sammie Stroughter cut the lead of Carolina down to 21-14. With 8:33 left to play, the touchdown by Jackson tied the game.
Josh Johnson, Tampa Bay’s quarterback, went 11 for 17 for a total of 147 yards along with one interception that was run back 24 yards by Thomas Davis, linebacker, setting up the one yard pass for a touchdown from Delhomme to Jeff King.
Tampa Bay’s Cadillac Williams had 77 rushing yards in 16 carries, while Johnson rushed for 45 yards. However, Johnson was also sacked four times. Charles Johnson and Julius Peppers each had two sacks for Carolina.
