Game Notes | Week 17: Panthers @ Saints

Jake Delhomme - Pump-faked and found Steve Smith deep for a 54-yard bomb. Showed good accuracy, allowing his receivers to catch the ball on the move. Drove the team down for the game-winning field goal after suffering a lower back injury.

DeAngelo Williams -He gets a 30-yard power run up the middle, but it doesn't go for a TD. John Fox's pick for the most improved player in the NFL. Over 100 yards for a Panthers record 8th time this season before the first half even ended. Up to 143 yards by halftime. Became Carolina's single-season rushing leader. He now has 1,480 yards, breaking Stephen Davis' record of 1,444 set in 2003. Did everything well, great patience, burst to the outside, tough up the middle, great vision, big play ability.

As a team, Carolina had 174 yards rushing in the first half. Already, that's the team's third best rushing performance in a game all season.

Jonathan Stewart -Broke five tackles in the backfield and turned a loss into a 16-yard gain. Took advantage of Steve Smith's 54-yard bomb for his 10th rushing touchdown of the season.

Steve Smith -Beat double coverage, got behind the secondary, and hauled in a 54-yard bomb, tackled at the 6-yard line. Almost pulled in a one-handed circus catch. Just throw it up in the air, and Smith will get it. His brilliant 39-yard catch in double coverage set up the winning field goal.

Muhsin Muhammad -Eight-yard touchdown reception.

D.J. Hackett -Came up two yards short of a first-down in the red zone, causing a field goal. Caught a 30-yarder in the second half.

Dante Rosario -

Jeff King -

Julius Peppers - Pinning his ears back and now up to 14 and 1/2 sacks on the season.

Drew Brees -Reggie Bush, Pierre Thomas, Marques Colston, and Jeremy Shockey were all in the lineup at the same time in just three games this year. Sacked just 11 times this season. Threw off his back foot, underthrown and picked off by Chris Harris over the middle. Starting to get pressured in the second half as the Panthers are pinning their ears back. Became just the 2nd player in NFL history to post 5,000 yards and recorded his 10th 300-yard game of the season. Three fourth quarter TDs to bring the Saints back from way behind. Brees 16 yards away from record. Brees fourth-quarter flurry not enough.

Mike Bell -Primary ball carrier, with Deuce staying on the sidelines even at the goal-line.

Deuce McAllister -

Marques Colston - Does he seem a step slower? Dropped a 4th-quarter pass that would have gone for a TD. Third hundred yard game of the season, up to 7/124/1.

Lance Moore - Had a deep ball glance right off his finger tips. Everything is underneath again, so Moore has to do his damage after the catch. Fourth-quarter touchdown from 9 yards out. Brilliant leaping catch in the end zone to put the Saints up 31-30 late.

Devery Henderson -

Robert Meachem - Went in motion, took a backfield pass, and bulldozed his way in for the TD.

Billy Miller - End zone target goes just wide.