Carolina Scores 18 Unanswered to Stun Washington

NFL News - October 11th, 2009 - Written by John

The Carolina Panthers scored 18 unanswered points in the second half to finally break through with their first win of the season. Jake Delhomme turned the ball over for agains for the fifth straight game, but was good when his team needed him the most. Down 17-2 with eight minutes left in the third quarter, he took Carolina on their first scoring drive of the day, hitting tight end Jeff King with a beautiful touchdown pass from the 17-yard line.

John Kasay added a 43-yard field goal to get the Panthers within five, and Jonathan Stewart completed the rally with an eight-yard touchdown rush with nine minutes left in the fourth to win 20-17 on Sunday. The score was enabled by a botched punt by the Redskins at their own 12-yard line.

The Washington Redskins were only given one more drive to respond, but had to punt it away with five minutes left. The Panthers kept Washington's defense on the field from there on out, getting three first downs on eight plays, including a third-down rush by Delhomme, to run out the clock.

It couldn't have started any worse for the Panthers, however.

DeAngelo Williams fumbled on the first play of the game after being popped by Kedric Golston. Albert Haynesworth gobbled up the loose ball on the 14.

The Redskins made him pay, scoring on the second play of the ensuing drive when Jason Campbell connected with Clinton Portis on a 10-yard touchdown strike. The Redskins continued to pour it on when Shaun Suisham hit a 38-yard field goal, and Portis plunged for his second touchdown in the third quarter to make it 17-2.

But Washington couldn't move the ball from there on out, only converting two of their nine third-down tries and finished with 198 total yards. Jason Campbell was unremarkable yet again. He had a rating of 104.4 and wasn't intercepted, but threw for only 145 yards.

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