The Panthers ran for a franchise-record 264 yards in their 31-22 victory over the Lions. Jonathan Stewart rushed 15 times for 130 yards and a touchdown. DeAngelo Williams rushed 14 times for 120 yards and two touchdowns. The Panthers averaged an amazing 8.3 yards per carry.
Carolina moves to 8-2 and keep their one-game lead in the NFC South. Still, it isn't all smiles in Charlotte.
Jake Delhomme had another off day, completing just 10-of-19 passes for 98 yards. That is the second week in a row that he has thrown under 100 yards passing and several fans rained boos on him. The Panthers also allowed the Lions to stick around all game and had to stuff a Daunte Culpepper two-point conversion late to preserve the win.
The Lions didn't punt in the first half and controlled the ball nearly nine minutes longer than the Panthers. Daunte Culpepper, in just his second week with the team, did complete 20-of-35 passes for 207 yards and a touchdown. But his two bad interceptions were too much to overcome. His final pick, deep in his own end of the field, set up a Williams touchdown that put the game away.
Give Detroit credit for putting up a fight, but the loss puts them at 0-10 for the third time in franchise history.
