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If there was ever a game that fit the definition of a ‘gut check’ this one was it. The Panthers found themselves down by 14 points early in the 3^rd quarter and facing the prospect of somehow moving the ball against the Cardinals stingy defense. The Panthers turned to the NFL’s latest fad, the wildcat formation, and marched down the field and scored when DeAngelo Williams broke some tackles and let the home crowd know these Panthers were not going to go down without a fight.

On the Cardinals next possession mammoth DT Maake Kemoeatu answered John Fox’s call to gut out a big play and laid a hit on Cardinals RB Edgerrin James to force a fumble. On the Panthers first play WR Steve Smith cooked CB Rod Hood for a TD and the game was suddenly tied.

This is about as much journalistic prose as you will get from me but before I get into my Keys of the Game I have to say the Cardinals have one of the best if not the best passing offense in the league. QB Kurt Warner put up 381 passing yards on the Panthers and if not for the 2 key turnovers the Cardinals probably would have won easily. The Panther D just could not stop them.

Offense Keys to the Game:

 

• After a dreadful 1^st half on offense that saw the Panthers fumble inside their 10 yard line the Panthers finally got the running game going. D-Will was awesome with his outside cuts and 2^nd efforts on the inside runs.
• WR Steve Smith had a typical game for him with 100+ yards and two TD’s. I believe I predicted he would beat Hood yet again for a TD. I have to admit that second TD sure did look like he stepped out of bounds. What saved him was the camera angles didn’t show enough to over rule it.
• The offensive line struggled at first but the Panthers countered with quick passes and runs up the middle to keep the Cardinals from blitzing too much.
• QB Jake Delhomme shook off a horrid 1^st half to lead the Panther come back, standing in the pocket to deliver the ball and taking a lot of shots as a result.
• How sweet was it to see the Panthers run the ball for a 1^st down to protect the lead and seal the victory? That 3^rd down draw play that went for 13 yards by D-Will to ice it was the type of play champions make when the game is on the line.

Defense Keys to the Game:

• The Panthers continually brought the heat to rattle Kurt Warner but it rarely had an affect. The Panthers did consistently collapse the pocket only to see Warner deliver yet another pin point pass. It was tough to watch the Panthers get marched on so effectively
• DT Maake Kemoeatu had the defensive play of the game in my view. He blew past the Cardinals center and laid a wallop on James that changed the game.
• DE Charles Johnson is pushing for even more playing time as he put up 2 sacks and played well the whole game. We questioned at the beginning of the season whether Johnson was the answer opposite Julius Peppers and he is starting to deliver the answer.
• LB Jon Beason is in my humble and admittedly biased opinion is turning in a Pro Bowl season. Sure, he had a key INT that was delivered to him courtesy of RB JJ Arrington but beyond that he was all over the field. He is the leader of this formidable Panther defense in all aspects of the defense.
• I think DE Hilee Taylor logged his greatest number of minutes all season and he didn’t waste it. He generated a key holding call from LT Mike Gandy that derailed a Cardinals 4^th quarter drive as he rushed Warner like a banshee all day.
• Thank goodness S Charles Godfrey pays attention on special teams. The Cardinals ran a fake FG try in the 1^st half that would have worked if not for the quick reaction of Godfrey who prevented the Cardinals from converting the 1^st down. 

As impressed as I am with the Cardinals passing game I’m even more amazed the Panthers were able to stop it enough to win the game. History has shown that when the Panthers start the season 6-2 or better then end up playing for the NFC championship. I have no doubt these Panthers are good enough to keep that streak going.

The Panthers host the Falcons this week and it should prove to be a tough battle between too divisional rivals. Who will ever forget the Steve Smith-DeAngelo Hall catfight on the field last season? There has always seemed to be some bad blood between these too. Anyone agree or disagree? What are your game predictions?

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