Oct 30 2005
Halftime: Panthers 24, Vikings 0
Fred Smoot must be looking for the nearest boat out of town.
Just about every ball thrown Steve Smith’s way today has resulted in a Smith catch or a Smoot penalty. That includes one 69-yard bomb that led to Carolina’s second TD of the day. Smith also caught Carolina’s third TD on an easy slant that Smoot played in a soft zone. In 30 minutes, Smith has 7 catches for 153 yards and a TD.
I can see to some extent why John Fox challenged the call to try and get Smith the second TD, but when you have first and goal at the 1, just let Stephen Davis do his thing.
On the other hand, with so many things going right for the Panthers today, Fox could afford to waste the challenge. Carolina’s is outgaining Minnesota’s, 287-76. Carolina’s held the ball 17:31 and is 3-for-3 in the red zone. Minnesota’s given up 4 sacks; Carolina hasn’t given up any. The worst thing to happen to the Panthers today was John Kasay missing a 55-yard field goal, and that was offset by Paul Edinger missing a much closer one for the Vikes.
Oh, yeah, and Daunte Culpepper is out with a strained knee and looks like he will not return.
The only thing that Minnesota can hang their hats on now is that they came back from a 17-point deficit last week against Green Bay and won. On the other hand, Carolina actually has a defense, Culpepper was playing in that, and it was a home game. The Vikings have lost 23 of their last 26 road games outdoors.
Time to take in more of the atmosphere, I think…
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