Panthers set rushing record, take over 1st place
By Charles Chandler
cchandler@charlotteobser
Posted: Tuesday, Dec. 09, 2008
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http://www.charlotteobserver.com/423/story/402519.html
The definitive moment in Monday night's Carolina-Tampa Bay mega-game came late in the first half at the Buccaneers' 2.
Facing second-and-goal, the Panthers had to decide during the two-minute warning how to get a touchdown, something they failed to do in a loss at Tampa Bay earlier this season.
Carolina faced an intimidating Tampa Bay defense that had allowed only one rushing touchdown in its 12 games.
But the Panthers didn't shy away, didn't concede the run, didn't try some sort of tricky play-action pass.
Instead, quarterback Jake Delhomme handed the ball to running back Jonathan Stewart, who ran right into the heart of Tampa Bay's vaunted defense behind the devastating blocking of right tackle Jeff Otah for a touchdown.
It was the first of four – count ‘em, four – rushing scores for the Panthers, who captured a humongous 38-23 win against the Buccaneers behind a record-setting running performance.
Last time the Panthers had a regular-season win this big and this impressive? Fullback Brad Hoover first said it had been a while, but then decided maybe never.
Carolina improved to 10-3 for the first time in franchise history and took over sole possession of first place in the NFC South. Tampa Bay falls to 9-4.
If the Panthers can beat Denver at home on Sunday – they're 7-0 in Charlotte this season – they'll travel to play the New York Giants on Dec.21 for a chance to compete for home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Suddenly, all of the Panthers' dreams are well within their reach.
“This is a big stage and our guys met this challenge,” said Carolina coach John Fox. “I just don't want them to drink the Kool-Aid they're about to go into.”
By Kool-Aid, Fox meant the flattery that is sure to follow a win such as this.
Their big night started in earnest on that play at the 2 with the score 3-3.
“On that goal-line (play), it was just all heart and desire by the offensive line,” said Stewart. “In the huddle, we were talking and saying, ‘We've just got to get this one in.'”
When Carolina lost at Tampa Bay 27-3 on Oct.12, the Panthers were held to 40 yards and Stewart missed out on what likely would have been a sure touchdown run from the 1 when he tripped over Delhomme's feet and fell.
This time, Stewart said he ran untouched into the end zone.
He followed the man-moving block of fellow rookie Otah, the right tackle.
The Panthers used first-round picks on Stewart and Otah in April, and the touchdown – Otah paving the way for a power-running Stewart – displayed precisely why the team thought they were worth so much draft currency.
Though Monday night's much-anticipated game had plenty of dramatic plays – long runs, long pass plays, sacks, interceptions – it was the rushing performances of Stewart and DeAngelo Williams that stood out most.
Against a defense ranked fourth overall in the NFL and ninth against the run, the Panthers churned out a team record of 299 rushing yards and averaged a whopping 8.1 yards per carry.
“We got hit in the mouth today,” said Tampa Bay linebacker Derrick Brooks.
“I thought our blocking element and our runners were outstanding tonight,” said Fox. “That was fairly obvious.
“Those two backs are both very special.”
Williams had a team record with 186 yards and two touchdowns on 19 attempts. He became the third player in Panthers history to surpass the 1,000-yard mark in a season. He now has 1,141 yards and 13 touchdowns, breaking Stephen Davis' season touchdown record of 12 set in 2005.
Stewart had 115 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries. His eight touchdowns this season broke Fred Lane's rookie record. Stewart improved his season total to 699 yards and needs to average 101 yards over the final three games to join Williams in the 1,000-yard club.
Only four sets of teammates in NFL history have rushed for 1,000 yards in the same season.
Also plenty rare was the magnitude of Monday's game and the way the Panthers came through.
“I wouldn't necessarily call it a statement game,” said defensive end Julius Peppers, who had 11/2 sacks and a blocked extra-point attempt. “It was just a game with a lot on the line. And we played well at the right time.”
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