Return of Steve Smith sparks Panthers in 26-24 win
Steve Smith returned Sunday and he looked far from rusty. Smith caught 7 passes for 112 yards. Keyshawn Johnson benefitted from the single coverage coming his way and caught 7 passes for 97 yards and a TD. Jake Delhomme looked much more comfortable completing 22 of 36 passes for 272 yards and a TD. RB DeShaun Foster carried the ball 20 times for 82 yards.
The Panthers played the kind of defense that they played last season. The Panthers held the Bucs to 64 yards rushing and only 2.6 yards per carry. The Bucs completed 14 of 25 passes but for only a net gain of 145 yards passing.
Steve Smith inspired the team and willed them into the win column.
Steve Smith didn’t will them into the win column. Kasey kicked them into the win column. Jake threw high and badly. The offense is gradualy coming together, the defense is great. This is a team that is going to the superbowl, if they stop being the cardiac cats and play all four quarters of football. I hope to start seeing some games that are over at the end of the third, with the team protecting their lead. Tell them Julius Peppers needs to be doing the commercials.
The defense is great? Didn’t look so great against Atlanta! Without Steve Smith, the Panther offense is far below average and yo know it.