The Panthers have never developed a home field advantage. Visiting teams have never said, "The toughest place in the league to play is Charlotte so please, for the love of all that is good, don't make us play there."
The Panthers finish 8-0. They are the only team in the NFC that has to play its final two games on the road and one of only two, Miami is the other, in the league.
Let's look back on the perfect home season.
They home opener was against Chicago Sept. 14. They trailed 17-3 in the third quarter and did not look at all like the team that had beaten San Diego on the road in its opener. Rookie Jonathan Stewart rushed for 77 yards, 76 in the second half, and scored the winning touchdown with 3:52 remaining to lead Charlotte to a 20-17 victory.
On Sept. 28 the Panthers lead Atlanta 14-9 at the half. Jake Delhomme complete 20 of 29 passes and the Panthers dominated the second half and won 24-9.
On Oct. 5 the Panthers beat Kansas City 34-0. They had two sacks and two interceptions and they also had a 100-yard rusher. DeAngelo Williams rushed for 123 yards and scored three touchdowns.
On Oct. 19 the Panthers beat New Orleans 30-7. Julius Peppers forced a fumble, had a sack and deflected a pass. Steve Smith caught six passes for 122 yards and a touchdown.
On Oct. 26 the Panthers beat Arizona 27-23. They were down, as they were to Chicago, 17-3 in the third quarter. Delhomme hit seven of eight passes in the second half, Smith caught five passes for 117 yards and two touchdowns and Charles Johnson had two sacks.
On Nov. 16 the Panthers beat Detroit 31-22. The Panthers were unable to shake off the lowly Lions until the fourth quarter. They set a team record with 264 rushing yards. Stewart had 130 and Williams had 120.
On Dec. 8, on Monday Night Football, the Panthers hammered Tampa Bay 38-23. They broke the record they set against Detroit by rushing for 299 yards. The offensive line was dominant and Smith had nine catches.
They played their final regular-season home game Sunday and beat Denver 30-10. Denver, last in the AFC in turnover margin, lost the ball twice, the Panthers once. Carolina made all the big plays. As talented as Denver's offense is, it seemed as if the Broncos spent their Sunday running uphill. Smith caught nine passes for 165 yards and a touchdown, and Williams rushed for 88, picking up 56 on one stunning touchdown run.
Great recap thanks!!!!!
Posted by: montanajack | December 14, 2008 at 10:46 PM
What about the '96 team that went undefeated at home?
Posted by: saltandpepper | December 14, 2008 at 11:58 PM
Great Game, Great Season, Great Home Finish!
But where are the fans? After half time the place had 1/2 the seats open. By the 4th quarter it looked a Bobcats game.
What is up with that?
Posted by: Cedar Posts | December 15, 2008 at 07:10 AM
Great point Cedar. Don't get me wrong - there are some GREAT fans throughout the stadium. But then you have some that are there - well, I don't know why they are there.
One fan complained because when I SAT on the edge of my seat, he couldn't see as well. Then, another complained because I stood up as Gamble made the pick! (I'm not a fan that stands all game. But my reaction is to stand up and cheer on big plays.) Several other fans in our section arrived halfway through the second qtr and left halfway through the third qtr. Several of them chit chatted about their kids' receiving scholarships and paid NO attention to the game.
My hope over time is that these "fans" are fazed out and are replaced by real football fans. Not falling down drunk fans, but those that are interested in the actual game and don't mind a little noise in the stadium! I chalk it up to the relatively short time we've had a team. But as the fan base grows, my hope is these games turn into less of a social tea time and more of great football atmosphere.
Posted by: Tom | December 15, 2008 at 11:41 AM
I went to my first Carolina Panthers game last Monday night and I had a blast! I was in the noise bleeds but I still had a great time! I didnt sit down until halftime and even then I didnt sit down but for a few moments because Sir Pur was running into the endzone for a touchdown against the other mascots! At the start of the game my section was sitting down and the lady behind me told me to sit down because she wanted to see. I told her if she wanted to see the game that she was gonna have to stand up to look over me because I wasnt paying $55 to sit in the corner on the endzone and freeze to death and hope that they didnt loose the game! I was gonna scream and cheer all night! I had lost my voice by the 2nd quarter but I was still making noise the whole game! I paid $55 for my seat and I was gonna do whatever I wanted to do with it! Stand, sit, jump up and down, stand in the seat... and there was nothing she was gonna do about it! When me and my buddy was the only ones standing in my section we started screaming like crazy and finally got our section into the game! They never sat down the entire game!
Posted by: Duston | December 15, 2008 at 04:39 PM
I meant to say nose bleed section! Excuse me!
Posted by: duston | December 15, 2008 at 04:40 PM