Panthers Shock Chargers

If you missed the Panthers vs. Chargers game then you missed a great game. Both teams were evenly matched and the Panthers surprised a lot of people. If you are a Panthers fan then you know that they are a better team than any body expects, but no one else seems to give them a chance. They have brought in a lot of guys and have looked really good lately. The Panthers re-amped O-Line was solid from the begging as Williams slashed through the defense with two 8 yard caries in a row. The Panthers drove down the field effectively and made it to the one yard line. They went for it on fourth and goal, but Brad Hoover dropped the go ahead touchdown. After that the Panthers set in and played well on both sides of the ball. They kicked two field goals and were up 6 - 0. Then the Chargers came out of nowhere and Rivers hit Chris Chaimbers on a 44 yard pass. Gamble totally missed the play leaving him wide open and Godfrey couldn't quite get there in time. The game stayed close and it was 9-7 Panthers at half time. After little action at the beginning of the third the Chargers were driving down the field. Rivers hit Gates on a first down pass, but right as Chris Harris was tackling him he stripped the ball away and Gamble ran it back for a touch down. The Panthers held their lead of 16-7 for awhile then the two teams exchanged field goals. ln the fourth quarter the Panthers quickly gave up 14 straight points. Rivers continued to gash the defense as he hit Gates and then Vincent Jackson for the touch downs. The Chargers last touch down was from a DJ Hackett fumble. The Panthers received the ball with 2 minutes 20 seconds left, with one time out, and down 24-19. Delhomme hit Muhammad, Hackett, and Rosario on clutch passes mostly in traffic in the middle of the field. With about a minute left Delhomme hit Rosario on a 24 yard pass. After a few plays the clock became a huge problem. After a completed pass Delhomme chose not to use their only time out and the clock ran down to the 6 seconds with the ball at the 20. Delhomme hit Muhammad on a quick in route for 8 yards. the Panthers called a time out with 2 seconds left. This was probably the most important play of the game. It moved the Panthers within striking distance. The last play of the game was a high snap that Delhomme barely controlled he looked down field and did a great pump fake that even faked out the camera man then delivered a laser to second string TE second year man Dante Rosario who stretched high to catch the ball in the back of the end zone. That was it.. the Panthers won.  It was a great throw and great catch. Delhomme threaded a needle, it was absolutely perfect. Panthers players of the game: O-Line (Delhomme was only sacked once) Rosario - he came out of nowhere and had a great game. 96 yards and the game winning TD. Kasay - he kicked 4 field goals and got 20 fantasy points. Last, the panthers defence who held LT to only 97 yards and no touch downs. Other facts: Otah and Wharton went down with knee sprains and are day-today. The biggest note is the Panthers won without Pro Bowl receiver Steve Smith. It was a great game and I think that if the Panthers can beat the chargers than they can beat anyone.