Best Football Talk

In one of the most important games in franchise history for the Carolina Panthers,  DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart ran berzerk on the Tampa Bay defense. Tampa Bay has one of the top rated defenses in the NFL this year. However, they had no answer for "Smash `N  Dash" of the Carolina Panthers. This 38-23 victory for the Panthers put them in first place at 10-3 in the NFC South, with three games remaining.

After the teams exchanged field goals in the first quarter, the Panthers Jonathan Stewart capped off a drive with a 2-yard run with 1:56 left in the half, to make it 10-3 Panthers. In the third,  Jeff Garcia would lead the Buccaneers back. He hooked up with Antonio Bryant on a 50-yard pass for a touchdown, to tie the score at 10-10. Bryant had an amazing night finishing with 9 catches for 200 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Panthers would come firing back. Jake Delhomme hooked up with star receiver Steve Smith on a 38-yard touchdown pass to put the Panthers back up 17-10.  Smith finished the game with 9 catches for 117 yards and 1 touchdown.

With 13:21 left in the game and the Panthers up 24-17, DeAngelo Williams broke off a 16-yard run for a Carolina touchdown to pad their lead 31-17. Back came Tampa Bay.  Jeff Garcia hit Bryant once again, with a 15-yard touchdown pass to make it 31-23.  Carolina`s Julius Peppers blocked the point after making yet another big play! With 2:07 left, the Panthers needed a first down to seal the game. Instead,  DeAngelo Williams got more! He broke free for a 36-yard touchdown run to put the Buccaneers away 38-23. What a very exciting game with all of the implications on the line!  Carolina rushed for a combined 299 yards! DeAngelo Williams finished with 19 rushes for 186 yards and 2 touchdowns. Rookie Jonathan Stewart finished with 15 carries for 115 yards and 2 touchdowns.

The NFL needs to take notice that these Carolina Panthers are for real! The Bucs have not given up this many rushing yards ever under Monte Kiffin, defensive coordinator. LenDale White and Cris Johnson of the Tennessee Titans need to move over, thers is a new tandem in town--SMASH N DASH!!!