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December 06, 2009
Red zone interceptions propel Panthers to 16-6 win over Bucs
It all came down to the red zone on Carolina's end of the field, a precious expanse of 20 yards leading into the end zone.
Three times in the red zone Sunday at Bank of America Stadium, the Panthers intercepted Tampa Bay's otherwise impressive rookie quarterback Josh Freeman to crush the Buccaneers' chances of pulling off an upset and keying a 16-6 victory.
Linebacker Jon Beason made the first two picks and safety Harris the third, an impressive feat against a Bucs team that came into the game ranked second in the NFL in red zone scoring efficiency.
Believe it or not, Tampa Bay had scored touchdowns 70 percent of the time they got into the red zone (14 of 2) before Sunday.
Freeman was also picked off two other times for a total of five -- a day he'd surely prefer to forget.
Contributing to the Bucs' self-destructive nature on this day, former North Carolina kicker Connor Barth missed two field goals, including one that hit the left goal post.
The Panthers, giving quarterback Matt Moore a victory in his first start since beating Tampa in the 2007 season finale, improved their record to 5-7.
The Bucs fell to 1-11, a record that isn't hard to fathom based on Sunday's performance.
Moore was efficient, though unspectacular. He completed 14 of 20 passes for 161 yards, including a 66-yarder to Steve Smith in the fourth quarter to set up the team's last of three field goals. Moore also was intercepted once.
Carolina was able to win without leading rusher DeAngelo Williams, who was sidelined with an ankle injury. Backup Jonathan Stewart showed why he'd be a starter for many other teams, gaining 120 yards on 26 carries and scoring the game's only touchdown.
Stewart's score came on Carolina's opening drive -- a 10-play, 64-yard possession that got the game started off right for Moore and the offense.
The Panthers' other points came on three field goals by John Kasay. He became the NFL's 10th all-time scorer and the seventh player to make 400 or more career field goals.
Carolina now heads into arguably the most difficult part of its schedule starting with next week's game at New England, followed by games against the Vikings, Giants and Saints.
-- Charles Chandler
Posted by Observer Sports on December 6, 2009 at 04:14 PM | Permalink
Comments
Moore played a great game. Hats off to him. If Jake would of played it would of been 3+ interceptions. Why didn't we make this switch earlier? All I know is that these net 4 games are going to put some extreme stress on our team. And it will definitely be games for Matt Moore to prove himself in.
Posted by: Cameron | Dec 6, 2009 4:21:20 PM
this underscores the point all the more that fox needs to go.moore was efficient and managed the game.when he needed to make the big throw he did it.fox gave moore no credit.foxes stubborness has destroyed this season.jake is done.moose is done.we just need a #2and3 receiver for next year and we will be back.peppers needs to go.we can buy a lot of talent for his 20 million for next year.
Posted by: ray | Dec 6, 2009 4:39:36 PM
Matt played well enough to prove that he should be the starting QB for the Panthers. And I am so proud of the Cats defense. If only we were starting the season today; or no, the Playoff game against the red birds...
Posted by: Mary Tyler Moore | Dec 6, 2009 5:09:36 PM
Matt wasn't great but who knows how many picks Jake would have thrown today?
Still the real test comes up with the rest of the schedule. If Matt does good with games like Vikings and Giants then there will be no more doubt.
Posted by: Tyler | Dec 6, 2009 5:15:59 PM
I want Moore to succeed as much as anyone - I've been anxious for this QB switch since mid last year. He looked ok, and I'm sure Fox had him under heavy shackles. It was funny, though, at one point I was sitting there thinking - has he done any better than Delhomme? Well, he had thrown one pick, underthrown Muhammed, overthrown Smith - sounds just like Jake. Then no sooner had I gone thru that thought process when he connects with Smith on that long pass play! Well that was enough to clinch it for me - no way Delhomme would have thrown that - he either would have missed the throw, or would have waited too long and the safety would have caught up to the play. So I figure Moore is already better than Delhomme, which isn't really saying much, but it will be interesting to watch how well he progresses. At least it gives us something to keep the interest going for the rest of this year. Go Panthers! (and go away, Fox!)
Posted by: Wayne D | Dec 6, 2009 5:35:22 PM
Other than the one pick, Moore played pretty well. He didn't have a chance to do much because of the ultra-conservative strategy employed by Fox. Why not let the kid attempt to pass for a TD after that 66 yarder to Smith? No, we run three times and kick a FG.
Posted by: Jerad | Dec 6, 2009 6:02:50 PM
We ran 3 times and kicked a field goal because it ran time off the clock towards the end of the 4th quarter and made it a two possession game, no reason to moan about that in a win. All people want to do is complain about something.
Posted by: Bort Svenson | Dec 6, 2009 6:06:40 PM
umm i think matt moore is goin to b our version of tonny romo.
i no thats a bold statement but i have the biggest feeling.he managed the game really well but next week wen we play NE hes gunna have to throw prolly 30 plus and we willl so how he handles that and a hostile enviroment with tom terrific coming off to losses.
all i can do is hope for moore to do well i so a bunch of potential.
i see steve smith actually catchin a deep ball( never does that with delhomme)
so im anxious to see next weeks game and down the road vs the Giants and the vikes
Posted by: kevin humphrey | Dec 6, 2009 6:07:48 PM
very one is saying that moore was only ok.I guess what people want to see is the TD Which is good but Moore was 14/20 that's 70%.You will always have a chance to when completing 70%.Even when jake was playing good he was never that effective.I have seen enough to say start Matt for the rest of the season.We have some tough games coming up and if you can play as affective as he did today with out too many turnovers he should be the starter next year.
Posted by: eric | Dec 6, 2009 6:10:27 PM
Lets be honest here the throw to Smith was late Steve was wide open and had to wait. Before we knight Moore lets see how he does against a team that has more than one win. What would we have seen if the defense didn't intercept 5 passes and we had to score.
Posted by: rrosko | Dec 6, 2009 6:17:32 PM
Great game Panthers !!
Posted by: nasty 704 | Dec 6, 2009 6:17:48 PM
Great game Panthers ....
The DEFENSE, played their butts off today...Kudos to BEA(ST)ON...
Moore's pass to Smitty was quite nice as well...
Congrats on #400 Kasay..
Happy Dance this week!!!
Posted by: Jennifer | Dec 6, 2009 6:29:25 PM
fox had him under heavy shackles.The through he made on the first drive almost went for a TD(few yards short).When your avg 8yard a carry you don't have to force the ball down the field.If they would have got in the situation where they would have had to through the ball more Im sure he would have thrown a TD But we have four more weeks to really see what he can do.
Moore also had one of the best completion percents of any QB this week 70%.
Posted by: eric | Dec 6, 2009 6:38:38 PM
Moore's interception was made possible by a great play from the corner - not the best throw, but a fantastic defensive read. Not nearly as bad as some of the other picks we've seen this year.
Posted by: KCPanther | Dec 6, 2009 6:42:28 PM
I have a question for you, how can someone like Syrpis buy into the Freeman hype? 5 INT's, really? Let me guess, he graduated from Delhoe University, right?
And what is up with that Ron Pitts guy?? He was talking Josh up like he had already made the Hall of Fame. Then he goes on and on about how Matt Ryan fans should have been focusing on Michael Vick, because of his injury, or something like that. I could not follow his irrationale lack of logic. I mean, how (and more importantly, why) do people like this get a paycheck???
Posted by: SYRPIS | December 06, 2009 at 07:01 PM
Posted by: SYRPIS | Dec 6, 2009 7:03:06 PM
@ KCPanther
Geno Hayes isnt a corner. He's a linebacker
Posted by: Anonymous | Dec 6, 2009 7:04:09 PM
And I'm no Pythagores, but how does 14 of 2 equal 70 percent?
Posted by: SYRPIS | Dec 6, 2009 7:04:50 PM
Some of the passes Moore connected with today would have been overthrown, underthrown, or just plain poorly thrown by Jake. He also showed the mobility to evade the rush and buy his receivers more time, and to check down his receivers until he found one open. Whether or not he's going to be a great future quarterback is still up for debate, but he's best option the Panthers have at QB right now.
Posted by: jason | Dec 6, 2009 10:54:26 PM
i would love to see what moore could do with a receiving corp like the saints or pats.our top priority for next year is a #2 and 3 wideout.why arent we trying goodson in the slot.? why is gamble returning punts?why is crossman an n.f.l special teams coach.why is peppers and jake and fox still here?
Posted by: ray | Dec 7, 2009 11:53:23 AM
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