Tuesday Morning Runnning Back Week 14: Panthers Win in Cinch, Cardinals Clinch

Q: How do you get to first place in the NFC South?

A: Run my boy, run!

And that's exactly what the Carolina Panthers did last night in their convincing 38-23 victory in Charlotte.

Led by the dominating power running of both DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, the Panthers took control of the ballgame, and in the process, vaulted over their hated rivals the Buccaneers in the tight NFC South race.

Combined, Williams and Stewart rushed for 301 yards and four touchdowns.

The fourth-rated defense in the NFL never really had a chance, as they visibly struggled in vain to contained the unstoppable running game the Panthers threw at them.

Carolina coach John Fox said after the game that fans remember what teams do in December in big games.

That sentiment couldn't be more true after last night.

Let's see, what else happened this week? A team won their first division title in over 30 years. We have a three-way tie in the AFC East, and the Giants proved they have difficulty without their top receiver. It's time to bring on the bullets!

• You know you're in the driver's seat you got a three-game lead on your nearest competitor and you toy with an over-matched defense on a 4th-and-1 from the red zone that led to a touchdown. The Titans pulled that off against the Browns on Sunday and in the process ended the Colts five-year stranglehold on the AFC South. Congratulations guys.
• In the all's well that end's well department, Texans kicker Kris Brown muffed an easy kick at the end of the first half but came through when it mattered at the end, giving Houston a three-point win over the Packers.
• Gale Sayers and Walter Payton, as great as they were, can't lay claim to the most rushing yards by a Bears rookie, as that record is now held by Matt Forte.
• The NFC North is not over, the Bears are home for the rest of the season, and the Vikings may be reeling from a poor offense and possible ramifications from the diet pill case to make an impact.
• I pity the Lions; they held Adrian Peterson to only 102 yards, and they still can't win a game.
• If a Lions fan is reading this, I'd like to know how you can look yourself in the mirror every day and admit you're are Lions fan.
• Separated at birth: Vikings coach Brad Childress and Dr. Tobias Funke from Arrested Development.
• Speaking of horrific teams, the Bengals suffered another bloody Sunday on Sunday, losing to the Colts by 32, and yet their fans can only wonder one thing. How long, how long must we sing this song?
• Drew Brees may get all the press in New Orleans, but Pierre Thomas should steal some of his thunder this week. His gritty performance kept the Saints hanging by a thread in the NFC playoff picture.
• It's somewhat ironic that last year the Giants couldn't win at home, but this year they didn't suffer their first loss at home until Sunday against the Eagles.
• If there's any consolation for the Giants. the Dallas loss clinched the division for them.
• Let the good times roll in Arizona. In Sunday's drubbing against the Rams, the Cardinals won their first division title since 1975, and will host their first playoff game since 1948. All I have to say is, wow!
• One question on the mind of Bills is what if that game were played in Buffalo where it belonged? There's a reason why the Canadians have their own football league, keep the Bills in Buffalo.
• It wasn't pretty, but the Patriots got out of Seattle with a win and saved themselves a lot of embarrassment in the process.
• As usual, the Jets found a way to disappoint their fans and Chris Collinsworth by failing to win a game they should have in San Francisco on Sunday.
• The Cowboys just cannot be trusted with a lead against a good team. Tony Romo wilted under pressure and the last interception he threw coast his team dearly.

We have certainly come to crunch time, see you back here next week for more hard-hitting analysis.