Panthers Zap the Chargers 26-24
I can’t come up with proper adjectives to describe the Panthers last gasp victory over the stunned San Diego Chargers. It was simply another edition of the ‘Cardiac Cats’ Panther fans have grown to love since Jake Delhomme took over this team. As the Panthers were lining up for the last play of the game from the 14 yard line with 2 seconds left I was thinking of all the reasons why the Panthers were going to blow this victory:
- The DJ Hackett fumble that led to the final Charger TD
- The blown 4th down and goal on the Panthers first series of the game
- The BS penalties
- The missed sacks on Phillip Rivers
- The dropped TD catch by Dwayne Jarrett
But then the Panthers came up smelling like roses, make that
There were plenty of other positive points in this game for the Panthers now that it’s a tick in the ‘W’ column:
- The one-two punch of RB’s DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart racked up big yards (130+) running the ball up the middle of the Chargers defense
- The Panther defense limited Chargers RB LaDanian Tomlinson to 97 yards and no TD’s
- SS Chris Harris yet again forced a fumble that was returned for a TD
- The offensive line protected Jake fairly well for most of the game, only giving up two sacks even when it was obvious the Panthers were going to pass on every down on the game winning drive
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After giving up the lead late in the game the Panther offense gutted out a drive that will provide motivation to this team long after the film review is complete
The Panthers performance wasn’t all rosy but I’m not going to ruin the elation of this surprise upset by picking a few nits. I will mention that the injury bug came calling but we may have dodged a bullet. OT Jeff Otah went down with a knee sprain but he later came back into the game. Worse I think is LG Travelle Wharton seemed to suffer some type of leg injury late in the game and he never returned. They showed him trying to walk it off on the sideline but he in the end couldn’t go.
On a final note I have to come back to Jake Delhomme and the Panther passing game. It was obvious throughout the game that Steve Smith was sorely missed and Jake threw some ugly passes. Yet when the Panthers were on their last gasp he was on the money and the Panther receivers made the catches they had to make. A perfect ending to the start of what we know is going to be an exciting Cardiac Cat season. Get your prescription of beta blockers filled fans as its no place for the faint of heart.
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a thing of beauty
I can’t say that I was happy with all the play but damn I can’t argue with the win.
by Parmenides on Sep 8, 2008 12:40 AM EDT 0 recs
"Experts"
the commentators will probably point to some of the poor plays and that the game was luck to explain why the panthers won and won’t give them the credit. flying under the radar, that’s right.
by LittleKing on Sep 8, 2008 7:17 AM EDT 0 recs
Not bad for a 9 point underdog.
The Panthers dominated the whole game even though the score didn’t reflect it. The two dropped passes in the end zone were tough to watch. Seemed to me that Jake was fairly accurate but the recievers dropped quite a few passes. I will have to watch closer if the NFL network plays it again. No interceprtions…gotta love that. Would have been nice to see some more running, especially on 4 and 1 at the goal. Awesome game and looking forward to Smith to getting back. Chicago looked decent from what I saw last nite. I hope they can get off on the right foot with a win at home.
by Davejinxer on Sep 8, 2008 8:50 AM EDT 0 recs
They did dominate for 3 qtrs at least
The Charger offense came alive in the end but their defense let them down.
I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com
by Jaxon on
Sep 8, 2008 8:58 AM EDT
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Because I live in a Redskins’ market area I only got to see the last three plays of the game.
Delhomme throws some of the ugliest passes I’ve ever seen, and yet this guy is a stone cold killer when it comes to pressure situations.
Since I didn’t see the whole game, I will only note: Road win, without Steve Smith, against one of the best teams in the NFL. ’Nuff said :) !
by kilgore_trout on Sep 8, 2008 10:10 AM EDT 0 recs
Direct TV Rocks
The NFL Game Mix channel and the live stats rock. I didn’t buy the NFL ticket this year but I’m getting all the games anyway. Maybe they are running a promotion but either was it was nice.
I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com
by Jaxon on Sep 8, 2008 10:50 AM EDT 0 recs
First weekend is free preview
The first weekend of Sunday ticket (ST) & superfan is always free and I agree it rocks. Since I live in TN, the only way for me to watch the Panthers is because of ST. It’s been a “life saver.” Don’t know what I would do without the ability to watch them, I’d have to suffer through watching the Titans and Falcons each week, yuck. Also, a few times through the season I am usually out of town and I’m glad they have the online streaming of games so I can even watch during those weekends.
by LittleKing on
Sep 9, 2008 2:40 PM EDT
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Here's a Charger site
I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com
by Jaxon on Sep 8, 2008 11:03 AM EDT 0 recs
Game day thread
and a good open thread for gameday, I enjoyed it fellas!
by ClaytonFire on Sep 9, 2008 6:22 AM EDT 0 recs








