Panthers rally to defeat Arizona 24-20

By John Onan | Sunday, October 09, 2005 | ( 0 )

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The Carolina Panthers overcame a career-best performance by Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh McCown with two fourth quarter touchdowns for a 24-20 come-from-behind victory on the road.

McCown connected on 29-of-46 passes for 394 yards, his best performance of his career. He surpassed the 385 passing yards he achieved the week before in beating the San Francisco 49ers last Sunday night in Mexico City. He threw two touchdown passes, but was also picked off three times.

Cardinals wideouts Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin were once again his main targets, as both went over 100 yards receiving as they did a week ago. Fitzgerald nabbed nine passes for 136 yards and a touchdown, while Boldin caught 10 passes for 158 yards and grabbed McCown's other scoring pass.

But, it was the Carolina Panthers and their quarterback Jake Delhomme that earned the victory with a fourth quarter rally, only a week after barely withstanding a Brett Favre led charge from the Green Bay Packers.
Delhomme went 18-of-29 for 243 yards and two touchdowns, both to Steve Smith, the final one with less than 7:00 remaining in the game. Smith had eight receptions on the day for 119 yards.

Carolina's defense came up big late, especially safety Marlon McCree, who intercepted McCown in the end zone. He pulled off the same feat earlier in the game. The Cardinals final shot came up short when McCown tried to scramble for a first down on a fourth-and-10 play, but was unable to move the chains.

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