Panthers' Defense Shines in 24-9 Win Over Rival Falcons

If the Carolina Panthers are going to get back into the playoffs, they will need to continue their defensive intensity. Carolina held the NFL's leading rusher Michael Turner to just 56 yards and didn't let young Matt Ryan get comfortable in their 24-9 over the Falcons.

Their offense had quite a day, too. Jake Delhomme threw for 294 yards and two TDs (one to each Steve Smith and Muhsin Muhammad). After Smith's touchdown, he gave the ball to cornerback Ken Lucas. It was Lucas who Smith pummelled during a training camp fight that led to a two-game suspension for Smith.

With Smith getting a ton of attention from Atlanta, Muhammad looked like the player from his first go around in Charlotte. He caught eight passes for 147 yards and a huge touchdown in the fourth quarter to put the game away.

You'd swear that this was 2003 again and Stephen Davis would run out on the field at any moment. Panther fans will just have to do with the combo of Jonathan Stewart (who scored his rookie leading fourth TD) and DeAngelo Williams. The two equally shared duties and combined for 109 yards.

The Panthers may want to reel in the penalties, though. They were flagged 11 times and continued to kill themselves with mental errors. They had consecutive personal foul penalties during Atlanta's opening drive and they still can't stop with the false starts.

For Atlanta, it is a bit of a setback. They wanted to show the NFL that they are for real. Many dismissed their 2-1 start as a bad team beating worse teams. Even with the loss (and the rest of the division winning) the Falcons did show some signs of what is to come. They'll get another shot for a statement game when they host the Packers next week.

Carolina will host Kansas City next week before huge showdowns with Buccaneers in Tampa and the Saints back in Charlotte.