Panther's Pluck Raven's in Baltimore, Throwdini gets Game Ball
Monday, 16 October 2006
The pride of Breaux Bridge came up big for the Panthers in front of a record road crowd leading the Cardiac Cat’s to their fourth consecutive win and passing for a personal best 365 yards and two TD’s, leading Carolina to a 23 – 21 victory and a 4 – 2 record.
Pretty it was not, but anytime you get a road win in the NFL, you have to feel good, I don’t care who it is.
It was clear from the get go, the usual run left, run right and run up the gut was not going to get it done. The Panthers were able to chalk up a total of 58 yards rushing against the dirty birds in Baltimore. Jake stepped up to the challenge completing passes to eight receivers.
Southern Superman appears to be getting his legs back under him, carding 189 yards receiving on eight receptions. Steve checked off 72 yards on a pass and run for his only TD of the game; it was a thing of beauty!
Jake looked shaky early on, forcing the ball into double coverage, back peddling and throwing off balance. His final stat line was good for a Panther record , 24 for 39, 365 yards and two touch downs. His two picks were ugly but ultimately were not converted, no harm, no foul. Coming into the game, Jake was rolling with a club record 150 straight passes without a pick. In this match-up the offense moved on Jake’s arm. Last weekend against the Brown’s the Panthers managed to go 0 – 13 on third down conversions.
Today was different, today Jake was Throwdini working some magic to a receiving Corp’s that appears to be flashing some brilliance. A different week, a different Sunday, today the offense was able to go 7 – 15 on third down conversions.
I’m not taking anything away from the Carolina defense, they continue to impress. They held the Ravens to 80 yards rushing, the fourth game they’ve held their opponent under 100 yards on the ground. All season long I’ve been looking for a pass rush, today the Defense delivered. Mike Rucker and Chris Draft bull rushed the O line getting to the QB and taking the Air out of McNair. Are we seeing a pattern here? 1st it was young Mr Simms, now spleen-less and today, McNair going down and then out with a concussion. Post game reports indicated an MRI of the QB’s head revealed nothing.
Back-up QB, Kyle Boller looked game coming off the bench with 226 yards and 3 TD’s.
Once again, Julius Peppers shows why he was worthy of a number one pick, adding to his season total of 35 tackles and eight sacks continuing to make his case for Defensive MVP.
Anyone watching the Panthers secondary has to be encouraged; Branch and Marshall each with a pick. Had it not been for the rare Baltimore air and those crazy bobbles Mark Clayton never sees the Red Zone.
This contest was never in hand till late in the fourth quarter. All the more reason to give John Kasay a nod for being consistent, adding three field goals and two PAT’s. In a defensive battle like this, 11 points is huge.
DeAngelo Williams watched from the sideline as DeShaun posted 58 yards on 26 carries. He’s nursing a sprained ankle so it’s hard to say the running game would have been different with # 34 in the mix.
My game ball goes to the crafty cajun who was able keep the record crowd of 70,762 quiet for the most part. In his post game interview, Jake said he had never seen passes hang in the air like the two that Clayton managed to snag and take in for scores. "It’s funny how that ball bounces sometimes" he said. I agree Jake, it kinda makes you think the Ravens got lucky with those circus catches but in the end it was cajun cookin that made the difference for a Panther team who needed this win to keep the mojo risin.
I know it had to be Rockin at Kitty O’s in Arlington as it was in the QC where the Lastra boys where throwin down at Picassos in Dilworth. Panthers stock is trending up and a win against the Ravens gets us on the board as a team with playoff prospects.
All week long all I’ve heard about is how stingy the Raven’s defense is, Ray Lewis this and Ray Lewis that. In the end, it was the Panthers that were doing the victory dance.
