Click here for final game stats from AOL Sports.How terrible are the San Francisco 49ers that they can't go to Charlotte and get a win? Seriously.
Oh, there were times in the second half where it looked like they might pull it out. Vinny Testaverde threw a poorly timed interception to set up Trent Dilfer's second touchdown pass, and suddenly, the 49ers cut a 17-point halftime lead to 3, leaving Carolina fans shaking their heads.
Then Mike Lewis muffed a punt and gave the ball to the Panthers at the 20. Four DeShaun Foster runs later, Carolina was back up by 10. It was the 49ers' fourth turnover of the day. They would give the ball away at least one more time.
It wasn't always just a bunch of off-tackle runs for the Panthers, though. They actually showed a little offensive creativity in the first half, effectively using screens and reverses to keep the 49ers defense on its toes. It only got vanilla in the 2nd half, when John Fox started running it up the middle to tire out the Niners' defense.
The Panthers' defense did its part as well. Trent Dilfer was sacked seven times, Frank Gore was held to 58 rushing yards, and Richard Marshall returned one of four interceptions 67 yards for a touchdown. That gave the few fans that showed up something to cheer. It must have been a nice change of pace for them.
Make no mistake -- neither of these teams are very good, but the 49ers have plunged to far lower depths than the Panthers have. Carolina needs better personnel, better discipline, and a better general manager. The 49ers need your prayers.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-03-2007 @ 9:13AM
Ben said...
Dave, you really should stick to your soccer blog and give someone else the mantle of being the Panthers blog writer here. Your writing makes it evident that you really don't like this team and yes, I am questioning your "fanhood". I mean come on, we had a win yesterday, talk it up! At least sound like you're alive. Otherwise you're doing the Panthers Fan community a disservice. So either get more excited, or exit stage left you bandwagon fan.
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12-03-2007 @ 9:41AM
Erik said...
Im happy for this win because we opened up the playbook and the D made some sacks and some INT's. I liked what I saw from Williams. Beason and Marshall have a bright future with Carolina. I was glad that Carr was third string I think that the Panthers as a whole lack confidence when Carr is on the field. Maybe I smoke too much pot as a teen but I have a pipe dream that we could run the table and sneak in the playoffs, we have a good NFC record and if the NFC is weak with Det and Philly and Chi all losing. Its gonna be tough but if the Qb can play decent and the D play well and if we get Smith the damn ball anything could happen i still remember that 1-7 team that finished 8-8.
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12-03-2007 @ 9:45AM
Dave said...
Erik: There's only one problem with that theory -- Carolina's remaining schedule is loaded for bear.
14: @ Jacksonville
15: v. Seattle
16: v. Dallas
17: @ Tampa Bay
Beating the 49ers is one thing. Beating four playoff contenders in a row is quite another. I'd like to see it happen, too, but I'm not holding my breath.
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12-03-2007 @ 10:22AM
gene said...
Poster #1, why SHOULD Dave the blogger be excited or for that matter any panther fan? We have seen this show before, they beat the 49ers, that s it, why can t they play like that every week? mostly because of inconsistant coaching and play. And
they looked like at one point in the 2nd half they
might give this one away too.
Poster #2, you must still be smoking pot, we will
probably finish 6-10, at best 7-9 if dallas and
tampa bay don t play their starters to save them
for the playoffs. I dont see alot to be excited
about, this year or next because we will have the
same coaching staff, players and G.M.
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12-03-2007 @ 12:56PM
Justin said...
If they played like they did Sunday for the next four games, they might have a shot at making playoffs. The Jaguars, Bucs', Boys', & Hawks' do have their flaws. All the Panthers have to do is to figure out what they are and use it to their advantage and win.
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12-03-2007 @ 2:23PM
gene said...
Don t believe the hype justin, its just 1 game, i like your previous posts much better, remember the saints whooped our butts just last week.
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