CHARLOTTE
The Carolina Panthers might have finally found a way to solve Jake Delhomme's woes: controlled chaos.
A heavy dose of miscues from Matt Ryan and banged-up Atlanta didn't hurt, either.
The Panthers unleashed a no-huddle offense yesterday with Delhomme calling the plays, and it produced two touchdown passes to Steve Smith, no turnovers and a 28-19 victory against the Falcons.
"No-huddle is controlled chaos," Smith said. "You've got the defense running around and they don't know what they're doing. The no-huddle is really easy and simple."
While Delhomme went turnover-free for the third straight game after 13 interceptions in his first six, it was a difficult day for Ryan and the Falcons (5-4). First, they lost running back Michael Turner to a sprained ankle after he rushed for 111 yards. Then, kicker Jason Elam and Ryan stymied their late comeback hopes with key fourth-quarter mistakes.
Ryan, throwing too high much of the day, had two more interceptions He's at 12, one more than all of his stellar rookie season.
The Panthers (4-5) built a 21-10 halftime lead. Delhomme found Smith on two 4-yard touchdowns and was in his comfort zone.
"That is something that we practice a good bit," Delhomme said of the no-huddle. "I'm extremely comfortable in that situation."
The game wasn't sealed until Richard Marshall picked off Ryan, setting up Jonathan Stewart's 45-yard touchdown run with 2:07 left.
Earlier, Elam missed a 34-yard field-goal attempt that would have given Atlanta the lead. It allowed the Panthers to hold on despite losing the cog of their offensive line, left tackle Jordan Gross, to a broken right ankle.
DeAngelo Williams (92 yards) and Stewart (82) gave Carolina a solid running game.
Atlanta 3 7 3 6 -- 19
Carolina 7 14 0 7 -- 28
First Quarter
Atl--FG Elam 35, 11:16.
Car--Stewart 1 run (Kasay kick), 6:15.
Second Quarter
Car--S.Smith 4 pass from Delhomme (Kasay kick), 12:26.
Atl--Snelling 1 run (Elam kick), 5:56.
Car--S.Smith 4 pass from Delhomme (Kasay kick), 1:08.
Third Quarter
Atl--FG Elam 24, 9:21.
Fourth Quarter
Atl--Peelle 3 pass from Ryan (pass failed), 13:44.
Car--Stewart 45 run (Kasay kick), 2:07.
TEAM STATISTICS
Atl Car
First downs 22 19
Total Net Yards 400 380
Rushes-yards 29-176 34-185
Passing 224 195
Punt Returns 2-37 0-0
Kickoff Returns 1-28 0-0
Interceptions Ret. 0-0 2-40
Comp-Att-Int 22-41-2 15-24-0
Sacked-Yards Lost 0-0 0-0
Punts 2-54.5 4-44.3
Fumbles-Lost 0-0 1-0
Penalties-Yards 4-26 5-48
Time of Possession 31:51 28:09
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING--Atl., Turner 9-111, Snelling 18-61, Ryan 2-4. Car., D.Williams 19-92, Stewart 11-82, Delhomme 4-11.
PASSING--Atl., Ryan 22-41-2-224. Car., Delhomme 15-24-0-195.
RECEIVING--Atl., White 7-98, Gonzalez 6-67, Jenkins 4-15, Snelling 3-32, Peelle 2-12. Car., Muhammad 6-91, S.Smith 4-34, King 2-22, D.Williams 1-30, Rosario 1-11, Jarrett 1-7.
MISSED FG ATTEMPTS--Atl., Elam 34 (WL). Car., Kasay 51 (BK).
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