Panthers Break the Broncos 30-10

by Jaxon on Dec 14, 2008 8:58 PM EST Comment 25 comments

The Carolina Panthers solidified their playoff ambitions with a solid victory over the AFC West front runner Denver Broncos. Though the Panther offense was all the rage the last two games this week it was the defense that stepped up and held the Broncos high-powered offense in check. The defense forced two turnovers and logged three sacks against an offensive line that had only given up 7 on the season.

It was clear from the beginning the Bronco defense was determined to keep the Panther running game in check, actually starting LB Wesley Woodyard at SS. Take away the run and all that means is QB Jake Delhomme goes to work throwing the ball to the tune of 17 for 26 for 253 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. Delhomme rarely lights up fantasy scores but in the end he just gets the job done. Of course WR Steve Smith led the aerial attack with 9 receptions, 165 yards and 1 TD. Smith set the tone early, making hard receptions look easy and just tormenting the Broncos secondary. Once the Broncos got behind the Panthers finally got the running game going, finishing with 150 yards rushing.

Even though the offense put up 30 points this was the defenses day. They shut down the Broncos running game early and once the Panthers established a lead they say back and played the pass exclusively. Players with notable performances:

DE Charles Johnson was a constant presence with 3 tackles, 1 sack and almost got his 1^st career INT (but dropped it)
FS Charles Godfrey also almost had an INT, logged 4 tackles and a forced fumble that lead to a FG right before the half
DE Tyler Brayton had a good day with 5 tackles and a sack and was constantly in the Broncos backfield
Though RB DeAngelo Williams was held to 88 yards rushing his 56 yard TD scamper in the 3^rd quarter was the dagger in the Broncos heart
WR Musin Muhammad had his best day in several weeks for 4 catches for 70 yards. It was good to hear the home crowd elicit the ‘Mooosssee" cheer a few times
RB Jonathan Stewart saw his most extensive work of the season with 16 carries for 52 yards and a TD.
CB Chris Gamble out up 7 tackles and a juggling exercise that resulted in an INT. The Panther secondary did a good job of keeping the Broncos WR's in front of them and playing tight coverage on the timing patterns the Broncos seemed to favor.

Injury Report

Unfortunately the Panthers suffered a couple potentially key injuries in the 2^nd half of the game. DT Maake Kemoeatu left the game with a tweaked ankle and never returned. RG Keydrick Vincent, the only offensive lineman to play every game this season, left with a groin pull. It's too early to tell the extent of the injuries but we can only hope both players won't miss next weeks game.

My Predictions

It's not often I nail my predictions but I think I came pretty close this time. Of the 3 Key Match-ups I listed in the intro to my Game Day Open Thread all three were on the money. Steve Smith had a big day (no big stretch there I realize), CB Ken Lucas did a good job on WR Brandon Marshall and Broncos RT Ryan Harris gave up all three sacks. Yeah me!

Panthers Are Now Super Bowl Contenders

Given this thorough dismantling of the playoff bound Broncos the Panthers set the table for a showdown with the Giants. Whether the Giants beat the Cowboys tonight doesn't really matter though a Cowboys victory would take the pressure off the Panthers last game. Either way a Panther victory means the Panthers are now the favorite to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.

RB Jonathan Stewart Runs over a Bronco

Poll

For the Broncos game, the Panthers game ball goes to:

Steve Smith

24 votes

Jake Delhomme

1 votes

Charles Johnson

3 votes

DeAngelo Williams

2 votes

Chris Gamble

1 votes

Jon Beason

1 votes

32 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 25 comments |

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Comments

domination at home

I was glad the defense finally stepped up… Now let’s see if they can do it on the road. Looks like the Panthers will either play one or all of their playoff games in Charlotte. And considering their domination at home this year, I think we have a serious shot at the SuperBowl!

on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city

by southtunnel on Dec 14, 2008 9:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

reply to panther

first the subject:

LOL , mike clark are you blnd are something. Despite that one long run carolina still had a good runnin day. Shuting down the run means keeping a team runnin game under a 100 yards for the whole game. Which didn’t happen. For a team to claim they shut down the opsing team run game means? 1 keep that team from braking a big long run for a touchdown which didn’t happen.2 also keeping that team under a100 yards in rushing the whole game. Which between stewert and willaims combined they was well over a 100 yards by the end of the game. So denver never came close to shuting down carolina runnin game the day. Yes denver slowed down carolina runnin game at times thats all. Hell denver counld,n’t even get close to jake all day. So mike you and the denver fans keep dreaming.

This is what I wrote that panthy was responding to:

That being said—getting a top-notch free safety on this team is of upmost importance. I did not like Woodyard at strong safety tonight—Barrett is a strong safety—we had no free safety on the field. I am one of those that would like to see us go after a top-notch corner—and move Bailey to free safety—won’t happen…but it should.

On the positive side we really did shut down their run. On the negative side we let another long run hurt.

Other negatives, Selvin’s fumble..should never have happened—because that play should never have been called.

Other negative—play calling. This should have been a ‘Classic’ West Coast offense game. This should have been, short pass, short pass, run, short pass, run, run ……….. and everything in front of us moving forward. We spent way too much time looking sideways, going sideways………instead of looking forward…going forward. Everything should have been quick—but it was not. Too many times Jay sat back in the pocket—for unreal time—looking for something deep. This should have been a fast-paced-plan. Short pass, short pass, run, short pass, run, run—and that never happened.

Let’s hope we beat the Bills next week—how many of you would like to see phyllis and his merry men make it into the play-offs at 8 and 8?

:::

Panther, you bring up good points. We did stop your run, what we were missing is our pro-bowl corner, and a true free safety. We squashed your run actually yet had no-one to answer for Steve Smith. The mistake, however wasn’t our defense, it was our offense looking for big plays when the 5 to 8 yard ‘West Coast’ style is what we do best. We DID stuff your run and will do it again if we meet. You better hope if you make the Super Bowl that it isn’t us you are facing.

The best defense is a good defense!
And last week's young players. Yes!

by Mike Clark on Dec 14, 2008 10:06 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Oh dear

Poor Broncos fan actually thinks his team is legit contender in the AFC….LOL

by ChipperTeixeira89 on Dec 14, 2008 11:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I guess we will see--if we don't find a 'surprise' RB--we look to next year.

The best defense is a good defense!
And last week's young players. Yes!

by Mike Clark on Dec 15, 2008 10:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry to hear it

While it probably doesn’t mean much, I do apologize for the trolls that headed over to MHR this week. I’d equate it to a team winning a championship game and then the fans riot. Quite stupid, and I’ve never understood it.

I can say, however, I’ve appreciated getting to know the readers from MHR and while I’m indifferent to the Broncos (as in neither love/hate them), I’ll probably continue to visit MHR to continue my personal football education. Looks like you have a great group over there.

by LittleKing on Dec 14, 2008 11:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

No problem man...

The trolls are just part of the internet, it’s not anyone over here’s fault. Feel free to stop by any time, we’d love to have you back. It’s always nice to have opposing/outside viewpoints, especially when they are as well thought-out and respectful as yours have been. I can’t imagine any of us have very strong feelings towards (or against) the Panthers, and personally I’m somewhat of a fan by association (most of my friends are big Panthers fans). We’re lucky to have several great authors over there, and it would be a shame if they were only read by Broncos fans, as many articles are not necessarily Broncos specific (especially the MHR University series).

by hai17 on Dec 15, 2008 1:08 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Why are you posting over here at 1am?

You’ve got finals…. well, they’re today now, aren’t they? Mmm hmm. The last thing you want to do is stumble into Daniels or Tompkins or Harrelson and realize you were supposed to be at EB2 over on Centennial 15 minutes ago. Believe me when I tell you that’s a bad feeling.

No, seriously though, thanks for being involved in this exchange. I know that most of us have gotten a lot out of it, and as I’ve said before, I’ll be taking my MHR U classes through the distance ed program :)

Best of luck on the finals!

by r3 on Dec 15, 2008 8:27 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Haha thanks!

Yeah I can imagine! I studied quite a bit on the way to and from Charlotte, as well as when I got back. I just checked in before I hit the sack. Funny you should mention EB2, though, as I actually had an 8am final there this morning. I made it on time though. Thankfully I just got out of my last one. Woohoo Xmas break!

by hai17 on Dec 15, 2008 4:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Please dont stop trolling!

Trolling is what makes this stuff fun. Who wants to just chat with fans that agree with each other. Its the competitive dialog that makes this stuff fun. I love being able to talk trash with them, then either having to eat my words, or lay a big fat “I told you so” on em.

BRING ON THA Giant fans CSR!!!

on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city

by southtunnel on Dec 15, 2008 8:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

LittleKing--us old-timers don't mind trolls--we hate the freak injuries that have 'been us'.

The best defense is a good defense!
And last week's young players. Yes!

by Mike Clark on Dec 15, 2008 10:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

good to know

of course what some consider trolls my not be what another considers a troll. Some of it’s good trash talking, others take it to far.

I won’t comment on who did what.

by LittleKing on Dec 16, 2008 8:00 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Congrats guys

You took care of business today, and you put yourselves in a great position for the playoffs. I have to compliment you, as the Panthers are the first team that has put any significant pressure on the Broncos all season. I wish we had given you a little better game, but I’m sure you don’t mind.

Good luck for the rest of the season.

by hai17 on Dec 14, 2008 11:21 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

MHR

I visited MHR last week and someone, I forget the name, posted a great blog on Denver’s keys to the game. I didn’t post anything, but I enjoy good football conversation.

If someone thinks that Denver shut down our running game, they can think that. Denver is still going to the playoffs, and the Giants and Titans both proved that any given Sunday, anything can happen. I’m just waiting for the 2-game losing streak Giants.

By the way, can someone call up Jamie Dukes and ask him if he sees any “Smash” in the picture above?

by usana_gaines on Dec 15, 2008 1:48 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

usana...........We did shut down your run game

The best defense is a good defense!
And last week's young players. Yes!

by Mike Clark on Dec 15, 2008 10:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

We still got 147 yards rushing

so I’d say you did not shut down our rushing game. In fact, we average 146.1 per game, so it’s right in line with what we would expect to get.

Of course, I don’t think we shut down your rushing game, either. 122 yards ain’t bad. It’s above your average, and I think, for your own benefit, you should have stayed with the running game in the first half; it was consistently effective. I would say that we shut down your passing game, since we held you 100 yards under your average.

But, from our perspective, that’s the beauty of playing a pass-first team. As soon as they hit a snag, they abandon the run. Arizona did it, New Orleans did it, Denver did it. Speaking generally, that’s not a winning response to adversity.

That said, I hope you guys are able to win out and make it to the post-season. If you host Indy, I think you’ve got a really solid shot at advancing. Baltimore and Pittsburgh would both make for really tough match-ups.

by r3 on Dec 15, 2008 10:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

right now--I don't want to make the playoffs--funny me

I am tired of the injuries—just want heal.

The best defense is a good defense!
And last week's young players. Yes!

by Mike Clark on Dec 15, 2008 11:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Hmmm...don't understand that sentiment

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Dec 16, 2008 11:13 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Congratulations on having a decent team this year.

But learn how to win with a little dignity.

I’ve been at MHR for a long time now and have never seen a problem with trolls and poor manners as bad as it was during the week and after the game.

It really left a very poor impression of Panthers’ fans and Carolinans (sp?) in general.

You have a nice site going here…it’s a shame that so many of you ruin it by behaving that way.

GO BRONCOS!!!

by UnarmingMermaid on Dec 15, 2008 3:20 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I'm not sure what was said

but I’ll check it out. this would be the first time that I know of where someone acted poorly

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Dec 15, 2008 8:22 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Actually Mermaid even complained when I complimented tha Broncos… I think he has a little Panther envy goin on.

on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city

by southtunnel on Dec 15, 2008 9:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Guilty as charged

That was me, and maybe a few others. However nothing obscene was written. Just good ol’ smack talk. You hear it at the games, and in any sports rival conversation… competitiveness is what Sports are all about. Actually if you read the comments Mermaid was the only one getting in a wad about it. Dude can’t take a loss.

on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city

by southtunnel on Dec 15, 2008 9:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The trolls there

I don’t think most of them even post over here. At least that’s what it seems like.

Again, as I posted over at MHR, most of us aren’t as poor-mannered as the few that you witnessed this week. And we’re sorry for what you guys had to put up with in terms of annoying Panthers fans.

The Utah Jazz

by UtesFan89 on Dec 15, 2008 11:25 AM EST reply actions 0 recs