PANTHERS VS. 49ERS:
1st quarter
Recap: The Panthers are digging deep into their bag of tricks on offense early. They ran a double reverse to DeAngelo Williams and also lined up Steve Smith at quarterback for a direct snap on the same drive. Both plays resulted in first downs. That crazy John Fox.
Big play: Defensive end Mike Rucker showed he still has a little something left, stripping 49ers receiver Arnez Battle of the ball on a reverse. Damione Lewis recovered, leading to a John Kasay field goal.
Big mistake: Jordan Gross was flagged for a late hit costing the Panthers at least a field goal. Instead of a third-and-2 at San Francisco 31, the Panthers had third-and-17 at the 47. The next play was incomplete and the Panthers were forced to punt.
Comment: So the Panthers get fancy earlier in the drive, but then with three cracks from the San Francisco 3-yard line they take Smith off the field for all three plays and run twice throw a lob pass to Jeff King. Explain that strategy to me.
Score: Carolina 3, San Francisco 0
2nd quarter
Recap: The Panthers go up 17-0 after Richard Marshall returns a Trent Dilfer interception 73 yards for a touchdown. Earlier in the quarter, rookie tight end Dante Rosario catches his first career touchdown pass from Vinny Testaverde. Everything seems to be clicking on both sides of the ball for the Panthers, but the Panthers lose a golden chance to build on their lead when Nate Clements picks off Testaverde late in the first half on a deep pass to Drew Carter.
Big play: Smith’s 16-yard gain on a reverse set the Panthers up with a first-and-10 at the San Francisco 12 leading to Rosario’s touchdown.
Big mistake: Dilfer’s pass on the right side of the field was terrible, leading to an early pick and a score.
Comment: The Panthers are doing a nice job of mixing things up on offense but there is still some confusion on some play calls, forcing Testaverde to take timeouts. Smith and Clements are starting to get into a war of words. That’s almost never good for the opposing cornerback.
Score: Carolina 17, San Francisco 0
3rd quarter
Recap: The Panthers get conservative in the second half on offense and it leads to a Testaverde interception and a three-and-out. The Niners take advantage scoring on a pair of Trent Dilfer touchdown passes to cut the lead to 17-14. However, after the Panthers next drive ends in a three-and-out, Michael Lewis fumbles a punt and DeShaun Foster scores to make it 24-14.
Big play: Lewis’ muffed punt gives the Panthers the ball at the San Francisco 11, turning the momentum of the game in favor of Carolina.
Big mistake: Testaverde’s pick on the first drive of the second half allows the 49ers back in the game.
Comment: The Panthers must have been getting a little tight after their 17-point season – their largest of the season – was cut to three early in the third quarter.
Score: Carolina 24, San Francisco 14.