The Panthers may finally have found a way of solving the woes of Jake Delhomme: controlled chaos.
Matt Ryan and Atlanta miscues helped as well.
On Sunday Carolina unleashed their no huddle offense with the plays being called by Delhomme. The Panthers quarterback connected on two touchdowns with Steve Smith and didn’t have any turnovers during Carolina’s 28-19 win over Atlanta.
Smith, who coming into the game tripled the touchdown total for Carolina receivers said, what no huddle is is controlled chaos. The defense is running around not knowing what they are doing out there. The no huddle offense really is simple and easy.
It was the third game in a row that Delhomme was turnover free, after having 13 interceptions during the first six games. However for the Falcons (5-4) and Ryan it was a very tough day. During the second quarter Michael Turner, their star running back, went out with a sprained ankle after already having 111 yards rushing. Then Atlanta’s comeback hopes were stymied by Ryan and Jason Elam, their kicker, with key mistakes during the fourth quarter.
For most of the day Ryan threw the ball too high and was intercepted twice. He now has 12 interceptions on the season, which is one more than he had during his outstanding rookie season.
Ryan said, I’m young. I have a very long ways to go, lots of improving that I need to do and lots of things I need to learn still.
During the first half, Ryan only completed 7 out of 19 passes. Carolina (4-5) was able to build a lead by halftime of 21-10. Delhomme appeared very poised while Atlanta struggled with getting the right defenders onto the field.
Delhomme, who no longer leads the NFL in interceptions after the struggles of Jay Cutler in Chicago, connected with Smith on two touchdowns from 4 yards out. He was in the comfort zone.
Over the years a majority Delhomme’s best work has occurred during the two minute offense.
Delhomme referring to the no huddle offense said, we practice that quite a bit. In that situation I am very comfortable.
After halftime the offense for Carolina wasn’t nearly as successful. The game didn’t get sealed until Ryan was picked off by Richard Marshall to set up a touchdown run of 45 yards from Jonathan Stewart with 2:07 remaining in the game.
Earlier in the game, Elam missed a field goal from 34 yards. It would have given the Falcons the lead. Carolina was able to hold on even after losing Jordan Gross, left tackle and main cog in their offensive line, when he broke his right ankle.
Muhsin Muhammad, Carolina wide receiver who returned after a knee injury to catch six passes for 91 yards said, being 3-5 we’re at the season’s major crossroad I think. With seven games to go in the season, our chances are as good as anyones.
Carolina earned their season split with Atlanta, whose road record fell to 1-4. Tests will be conducted on the right ankle of Turner on Monday. Early second quarter Turner went over the 100 yard rushing mark. However on the end of his run of 10 yards he rolled his ankle. He ended a streak of rushing for 428 yards in under 10 quarters of play.
Turner was replaced by Jason Snelling who rushed for 61 yards in 18 carries and scored a touchdown.
Mike Smith, Atlanta coach said, we don’t have that same explosiveness that we have with Michael in there. But Jason I thought for it being his first time in there in the last few weeks did run the ball very hard.
Ryan was able to get Atlanta to within 21-19 on a fourth down and one play when he connected with Justin Peelle, tight end, on a touchdown pass of 3 yards. With 13:44 to play the Falcons attempt at a two point conversion failed after Chris Gamble was able to tackle Snelling following a swing pass.
Later Ryan was able to convert on third down and 11 from Atlanta’s 3 yard line on a pass of 13 yards to Tony Gonzalez. However the drive stalled. Then Elam, after hesitating twice, pulled a short attempt for a field goal with 6:35 remaining in the game.
Elam said, from the very start my timing was a mess. I take the blame for that.
Carolina went three downs and out. Then Eric Weeks returned the punt down to the 49 yard line of Carolina. However Atlanta’s hopes were ended when Ryan tried to throw into double coverage.
Ryan went 22 for 41 for a total of 224 yards passing and one touchdown. Atlanta failed to capitalize on the revamped defense of Carolina after Thomas Davis, linebacker, sustained a knee injury to end his season last week.
Michael Jenkins, wide receiver referring to Ryan said, technically I don’t think anything is wrong with him. We need to just execute better and limit our turnovers.
DeAngelos Williams rushed for 92 yards while Stewart ran for 82 yards, giving the Panthers a solid running attack. However the Panthers were keyed by the passing game, even after they had to shuffle the offensive line up.
Gross, who is the cog of Carolina’s line, may be out for the rest of season. The injury forced Travelle Wharton to move over to left tackle and Mackenzy Bernadeau, who has very little experience, to play at left guard in Wharton’s old spot.
