National Football League

Panthers face difficult road after Dolphins loss

Published Nov. 20, 2009 11:07 p.m. ET

foxsports

From Jake Delhomme's struggles to suspect tackling to key injuries and just plain bad luck, there are plenty of reasons for Carolina's 4-6 record. It shouldn't, however, be a surprise. Following a playoff season with a dud is all the Panthers have known in their 15-year history. Thursday's 24-17 loss to Miami followed the familiar script. Coming off an impressive win over Atlanta, the Panthers fell flat as a home favorite against a team without its top running back and a banged-up offensive line. It marked the fourth time this season the Panthers entered a game with a chance to reach .500. They're now 0-4. And with a brutal closing schedule, they appear destined to again fail to accomplish consecutive winning seasons for the first time in team history. "I'm sure outside of that (team meeting) room, there will be a lot people that don't give us a chance," coach John Fox said Friday. "Until the math says it, we'll feel like we have a chance." They would be in a much better spot if they executed in the red zone. Carolina was plagued by miscues, from the four sacks to a key interception that turned touchdown opportunities into field goals or worse. Delhomme tried to get star receiver Steve Smith involved - targeting him 15 times. He caught seven passes for 87 yards and a touchdown, but Delhomme's first pick in four games came near the goal line when he tried to force it to the four-time Pro Bowl selection. That play also was an example of how Carolina isn't getting the breaks. The Panthers were using their no-huddle offense and the Dolphins had too many players on the field. Delhomme wanted to snap the ball to get a penalty, but the official was standing over the ball. Fox said Friday the official had mistakenly thought the Panthers had substituted when they hadn't. "You're supposed to give the defense an opportunity to sub (only) if you sub," Fox said. Carolina also showed a drop-off after losing two key starters to season-ending injuries in two games. Left tackle Jordan Gross' absence was noticeable with Delhomme's lack of protection. And the Panthers struggled to tackle 32-year-old running back Ricky Williams without outside linebacker Thomas Davis. Williams rushed for 119 yards and scored all three Miami touchdowns. The Panthers have allowed 330 yards rushing in the past two games, and now have more injury concerns. Landon Johnson, who replaced Davis, was walking gingerly in the locker room Friday after suffering a knee injury. Fox said Johnson will not need surgery. Linebacker Na'il Diggs (rib) was also banged up. Fullback Brad Hoover did some running Friday and is hoping he'll be ready to return Nov. 29 against the New York Jets after missing three games with a high ankle sprain. "I'm tired of being a spectator," Hoover said. His replacement, rookie Tony Fiammetta, bumped into teammate Travelle Wharton Thursday, leading to a sack. The Panthers also got little from defensive end Julius Peppers, who again was limited to mostly passing downs because of a right hand injury. The Panthers had no sacks despite a myriad of injuries to Miami's offensive line. "It does affect your play," Fox said of Peppers' hand. "But he'll work through it and we'll work through it." Fox denied that DeAngelo Williams' sore left knee played a role in him getting only 13 carries. It was a curious move because Williams averaged 9.4 yards a carry and finished with 122 yards. The Panthers threw the ball 42 times to only 27 runs, and Delhomme was far from sharp. Carolina converted only 3 of 13 third-down chances. "You can't just go out and say it's going to take 25-50 carries to win the game, because that's not necessarily true," Williams said. "I think then everybody would be running it 25-50 times a game." The Panthers dominated on the ground last season en route to a 12-4 mark and NFC South title. But this year's team looks a lot like the clubs from 1997 (7-9), 2004 (7-9) and 2006 (8-8). All stumbled after reaching the playoffs a year earlier. Carolina faces two winnable games the next two weeks: at the Jets (4-5) and home to Tampa Bay (1-8). But then the Panthers close at New England (6-3), vs. Minnesota (8-1), at the New York Giants (5-4) and home to New Orleans (9-0). "It's going be a long weekend, but we've got another game coming up against the Jets here and no time to feel sorry for yourself," receiver Muhsin Muhammad said. "This is life in the NFL."