Panthers' huge opportunity drifts just left

Panthers' huge opportunity drifts just left
December 22
Charlotte Observer columnist Scott Fowler
"The Carolina Panthers whiffed on a huge opportunity Sunday night, leading for most of the game against the New York Giants but ultimately losing, 34-28, in overtime.

But Panther fans shouldn't despair just yet. Their team has already qualified for the playoffs. Sunday night's game was the sort of taut thriller that begs for an encore, and there may well be one on Jan. 18.

That is the date of the NFC championship game. If Carolina (11-4) and the Giants (12-3) both get there, these two teams will play again for the right to go to the Super Bowl.

That's really the way it should be, because the Panthers and the Giants proved they were the class of the NFC Sunday. This was a game full of big plays, and the Giants simply made more of them late.

The Panthers' John Kasay missed a 50-yard field goal that could have won it at the end of regulation as the ball drifted left. And then, in overtime, the Giants got a huge 51-yard run from Derrick Ward to set up the winning touchdown run by Brandon Jacobs.

It was the Panthers' defense that really let them down in this one, allowing Ward to run for an astounding 216 yards and getting torched late by both Ward and Eli Manning when Carolina was clinging to an eight-point lead.

But give the Giants credit, too. They won the Super Bowl last season doing things just like this. They're extremely good when it counts.

Jacobs' TD clinched homefield advantage throughout the playoffs for the Giants. The road to the Super Bowl will run through the New Jersey swamp. Carolina, although in the playoffs already, now needs to win at New Orleans Sunday to be assured of the No.2 seed, a first-round playoff bye and a home playoff game.

On a positive note for Carolina, though, they continue to boast the hottest running back in the NFL - and that will take you a long way in the playoffs.

If Jimmy Hoffa really is buried in the New York Giants' end zone, it's surprising that DeAngelo Williams didn't find him Sunday night.

Williams had one of the best games of his life Sunday, scoring all four touchdowns in the Panthers' defeat."
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