Panthers star in Pro Bowl
Under the direction of Carolina head coach John Fox and the team's coaching staff, the NFC defeated the AFC, 23-17, in the Pro Bowl on Sunday at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. Four Panthers also played in only the NFC's third win in the last 10 NFL All-Star games. Wide receiver Steve Smith and defensive end Julius Peppers started, while quarterback Jake Delhomme and guard Mike Wahle contributed as reserves.
The NFC's performance reflected that of the Panthers late in the season. The NFC held the AFC to 260 total yards and 71 rushing yards and forced six turnovers that led to 14 points in the lowest-scoring Pro Bowl since 1999. Carolina limited 12 opponents to less than 300 total yards, ranked fourth in rushing defense, and established a team-record with 42 take-aways in 2005.
And Fox didn't waver from his coaching style that has earned him 41 victories, including the playoffs, since becoming the Panthers head coach in 2002. With the game tied at 17 in the fourth quarter, the NFC moved 59 yards before the drive stalled at the AFC 18-yard line. On fourth-and-two, Fox played the percentages, much to the crowd's displeasure, and decided to have Arizona kicker Neil Rackers kick a 22-yard field goal that gave the NFC a 20-17 lead with 6:29 remaining. From there, Fox let the defense took over, which proceeded to recover two fumbles and end the game on a sack.
mith, making his second Pro Bowl appearance, recorded a game-high eight receptions for 46 yards and added six yards on a reverse. During the regular season, Smith, who also played in the Pro Bowl following his rookie season in 2001, led the NFL with 1,563 receiving yards and tied for first in the League with 103 catches and 12 touchdown receptions.
Delhomme saw action in the third quarter and completed seven-of-10 passes for 53 yards to compile a game-high 82.5 quarterback rating in his first career Pro Bowl. Five of Delhomme's completions went to Smith, his favorite target during the regular season when he completed 262-of-435 passes for 3,421 yards and 24 touchdowns. Of the six quarterbacks who played, he was the only one who did not commit a turnover.
Peppers started his second consecutive Pro Bowl after leading the Panthers with 10.5 sacks in 2005 and produced one tackle. Appearing in his first career Pro Bowl, Wahle became the first Carolina offensive lineman to play in the NFL All-Star game.
Tampa Bay linebacker Derrick Brooks returned an interception 59 yards for a touchdown and posted two tackles and one pass defensed to garner player of the game honors.
The NFC's performance reflected that of the Panthers late in the season. The NFC held the AFC to 260 total yards and 71 rushing yards and forced six turnovers that led to 14 points in the lowest-scoring Pro Bowl since 1999. Carolina limited 12 opponents to less than 300 total yards, ranked fourth in rushing defense, and established a team-record with 42 take-aways in 2005.
And Fox didn't waver from his coaching style that has earned him 41 victories, including the playoffs, since becoming the Panthers head coach in 2002. With the game tied at 17 in the fourth quarter, the NFC moved 59 yards before the drive stalled at the AFC 18-yard line. On fourth-and-two, Fox played the percentages, much to the crowd's displeasure, and decided to have Arizona kicker Neil Rackers kick a 22-yard field goal that gave the NFC a 20-17 lead with 6:29 remaining. From there, Fox let the defense took over, which proceeded to recover two fumbles and end the game on a sack.
mith, making his second Pro Bowl appearance, recorded a game-high eight receptions for 46 yards and added six yards on a reverse. During the regular season, Smith, who also played in the Pro Bowl following his rookie season in 2001, led the NFL with 1,563 receiving yards and tied for first in the League with 103 catches and 12 touchdown receptions.
Delhomme saw action in the third quarter and completed seven-of-10 passes for 53 yards to compile a game-high 82.5 quarterback rating in his first career Pro Bowl. Five of Delhomme's completions went to Smith, his favorite target during the regular season when he completed 262-of-435 passes for 3,421 yards and 24 touchdowns. Of the six quarterbacks who played, he was the only one who did not commit a turnover.
Peppers started his second consecutive Pro Bowl after leading the Panthers with 10.5 sacks in 2005 and produced one tackle. Appearing in his first career Pro Bowl, Wahle became the first Carolina offensive lineman to play in the NFL All-Star game.
Tampa Bay linebacker Derrick Brooks returned an interception 59 yards for a touchdown and posted two tackles and one pass defensed to garner player of the game honors.
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