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Panthers Rebound In Big Way

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The Associated Press

The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 20, 2008

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Steve Smith called it a debacle. Chris Harris said he was embarrassed. Jake Delhomme described it as awful.

A week after giving up sole possession of first place in the NFC South with a woeful road performance, the Carolina Panthers were determined to prove they were different than the maddeningly inconsistent non-playoff teams of the past two years.

On Sunday, they again looked like one of the NFL's best in a 30-7 rout of the New Orleans Saints, who quickly unraveled after Reggie Bush left with a knee injury and Jeremy Shockey perhaps reinjured his groin.

Delhomme threw for 195 yards and two touchdowns, Jonathan Stewart rushed for another score and the Panthers defense shut down Drew Brees and the NFL's second-rated offense.

Carolina (5-2) has home wins over Atlanta, Kansas City and New Orleans by a combined 88-16. But also the Panthers had a 27-3 loss at Tampa Bay last weekend.

"You have that nasty taste in your mouth until you play another game," Harris said. "We still thought about it, because we were pretty much embarrassed last week. So we had to come out and do something about it."

Brees, who went in leading the NFL in completions and yards passing, was hounded all day and struggled with his accuracy. The Saints couldn't overcome the loss of Bush in the first half and were smothered by the Panthers' improved defense.

"I thought we got beat in every area," Saints coach Sean Payton said.

Bush is expected to see Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala., Payton said. The Saints believe Bush has injured the meniscus in his left knee and won't be able to play in London next week.

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