Punchless Panthers treat home fans to another loss

CHARLOTTE — It's been almost a full year since the Carolina Panthers last won a game at Bank of America Stadium.

At this rate, the Panthers might never win another home game.

Joey Harrington threw for 192 yards, including a 30-yard scoring strike to Alge Crumpler with 20 seconds left, to lead Atlanta past Carolina, 20-13, on Sunday before a crowd of 62,928 at Bank of America Stadium.

The Panthers, who lost for the third straight time, dropped to 4-5 overall, but are still just two games behind first-place Tampa Bay in the NFC South Division. The Falcons (3-6) won their second straight.

It's been 51 weeks since Panther fans were able to leave Bank of America Stadium with a smile on their faces. Carolina's 15-0 victory over St. Louis back on Nov. 19, 2006, was the last time the Panthers won at home. Since then, the Panthers are 0-8 in Charlotte.

It's a reality that left Carolina Pro Bowl

defensive tackle Kris Jenkins shaking his head.

"I know it's hard on the people that pay to come see us play and support us," Jenkins said. "I know it's hard for them to keep coming back and winning is our way of giving thanks to them. It's hard that we work week in and week out, and come out and step on the field on Sundays and don't win."

Carolina continued to be anemic on offense. The Panthers, whose offense is ranked 25th in the NFL, did not manage an offensive TD Sunday, stumbling their way to 235 yards of offense while converting just 3-of-16 third-down attempts for first down.

Not even the return of quarterback Vinny Testaverde could help the Panthers' offense. A month ago, Testaverde became the oldest starting quarterback to win a game in the NFL when he led the Panthers to their last victory, a 25-10 triumph over Arizona.

Testaverde was 13 of 28 for 153 yards, but appeared to be limited because of a sore Achilles tendon.

"We had our opportunities," Testaverde said. "We just couldn't make anything happen. The one word I can use to describe today is - disappointing. It's a little bizarre we can't win at home."

The Panthers struggled getting the ball to receiver Steve Smith, who had just five receptions for 61 yards.

"We draw things up every week to try and get him the ball," Testaverde said. "We do make an effort. Most of the time they are doubling Steve so it's hard at times. You don't want to force it, but maybe we might have to."

If one play typified the Panthers' afternoon, it came early in the second quarter. Trailing 7-0 and facing a 4th-and-1 at the Falcons' 20, the normally conservative Fox decided to go for the first down instead of kicking a field goal. Rather than running the ball for the yard, the Panthers opted to throw the ball to Smith, who was in single coverage.

Testaverde lofted the pass to Smith, who caught the ball initially before having it stipped by DeAngelo Hall. The ball bounced out of the end zone, resulting in a touchback. "That's the way our season has gone," Smith said.

The Falcons took a 7-0 lead on Warrick Dunn's 30-yard TD run on Atlanta's first offensive possession.

The Panthers evened the score at 7-7 when cornerback Ken Lucas scooped up a Laurent Robinson fumble and returned it 27 yards for a TD.

With neither team able to mount much of an offensive attack the rest of the way, John Kasay and Morten Anderson exchanged field goals leaving the teams tied at 13-13 until late in the fourth quarter.

Notes

--Former James Island High School receiver Roddy White led the Falcons with six receptions for 57 yards. For the season, White has a team-high 42 receptions for 642 yards and two TDs.

--Falcons defensive end John Abraham had another solid effort against the Panthers. The former South Carolina All-American had three tackles and broke up a pass in the victory. "It was intense, I knew I had to stay focused against him," said Carolina left tackle Travell Wharton, a former USC All-American. "I knew he was going to come hard and I had to be prepared any type move he was going to give me."

--Atlanta Fullback Ovie Mughelli threw a vicious block on Carolina cornerback Chris Gamble, springing running back Warrick Dunn for a 15-yard gain.

"That's what I'm paid to do," said Mughelli, a former Porter-Gaud High School standout.

First Quarter

Atl-Dunn 30 run (Andersen kick), 8:43.

Second Quarter

Car-Lucas 27 fumble return (Kasay kick), 4:20.

Car-FG Kasay 29, :00.

Third Quarter

Atl-FG Andersen 36, 3:24.

Fourth Quarter

Atl-FG Andersen 47, 11:35.

Car-FG Kasay 31, 3:35.

Atl-Crumpler 30 pass from Harrington (Andersen kick), :20.

A-73,340

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING-Atlanta, Dunn 26-89, Harrington 1-2, Pinner 1-(minus 3). Carolina, Foster 20-59, D.Williams 7-27, Testaverde 1-4.

PASSING-Atlanta, Harrington 19-26-0-192, Redman 1-1-0-9. Carolina, Testaverde 13-28-0-153, Moore 0-1-1-0.

RECEIVING-Atl, White 6-57, Robinson 5-32, Dunn 3-51, Crumpler 2-39, Blakley 1-11, Jenkins 1-6, Harrington 1-4, Milner 1-1. Car, Smith 5-61, Carter 3-28, King 2-31, Jarrett 2-28, Foster 1-5.

MISSED FIELD GOALS-None.