2007 Carolina Panthers season

Trying to rebound from their home loss to the Texans, the Panther flew to the Georgia Dome for an NFC South duel with the Atlanta Falcons. After a scoreless first quarter, Carolina scored first in the second quarter with kicker John Kasay hitting a 45-yard field goal. The Falcons took the lead with QB Joey Harrington completing a 69-yard TD pass to WR Roddy White. The Panthers followed up with QB Jake Delhomme completing a 13-yard TD pass to RB DeShaun Foster. Atlanta would end the half with kicker Morten Andersen hitting a 24-yard field goal.

In the third quarter, the Falcons took the lead as Harrington completed a 13-yard TD pass to TE Alge Crumpler. Carolina retook the lead with Delhomme completing a 5-yard TD pass to TE Jeff King, followed by a 10-yard TD run from Foster. In the fourth quarter, the Panthers scored again, with Kasay kicking a 49-yard field goal. The Falcons' Andersen nailed a 25-yard field goal to end the scoring.

The game was noteworthy because of DeAngelo Hall's third quarter meltdown, wherein he was assessed 67 yards of penalties in a single drive. The penalties included a 37-yard pass interference penalty for tackling WR Steve Smith before the ball arrived, a 15-yard personal foul on the following play for blocking Smith at the line, and a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty during a verbal exchange with Smith following a third-down sack by John Abraham. The unsportsmanlike conduct penalty gave Carolina a first down, allowing their eventual TD to King rather than the likely 45-yard field goal attempt had the penalty not been called. Following the series, Hall was seen arguing with coaches on the sidelines, leading to a $100,000 fine by the team.

With the win, the Panthers improved to 2-1.

Week 4: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

"at University of Phoenix, Glendale, Arizona

Coming off their divisional road win over the Saints, the Panthers flew to the University of Phoenix Stadium for a Week 6 throwdown with the Arizona Cardinals With David Carr recovering from injuries, recently-signed QB Vinny Testaverde got the start.

In the first quarter, Carolina pounced first with kicker John Kasay getting a 33-yard field goal for the only score of the period. In the second quarter, the Panthers increased its lead with Kasay kicking a 43-yard field goal. The Cardinals would get on the board with RB Edgerrin James getting a 23-yard TD run. In the third quarter, Carolina responded with Kasay getting a 24-yard field goal, yet Arizona answered with kicker Neil Rackers getting a 50-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, Testaverde completed a 65-yard TD pass to WR Steve Smith, increasing his consecutive seasons with a touchdown pass record to 21-straight. Afterwards, the Panthers sealed the win with Kasay nailing a 45-yard field goal, while RB DeAngelo Williams got a 13-yard TD run.

With the win, not only did Carolina improve to 4-2 heading into the bye week, but Testaverde became the oldest starting quarterback to win a game (43 years and 335 days), along with the third oldest quarterback to start a game.

Week 8: vs. Indianapolis Colts

"at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina"
* Game time: 8:15 PM EDT
* Game weather: 51F° (Cloudy)
* Game attendance: 73,860
* Referee: Mike Carey
*TV announcers: (NFL Network): Bryant Gumbel (play-by-play) & Cris Collinsworth (color commentator)

Coming off their win over the Seahawks, the Panthers stayed at home for a Week 16 Saturday night duel with the playoff-bound Dallas Cowboys in an attempt to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.

In the first quarter, Carolina trailed early as Cowboys QB Tony Romo completed a 10-yard TD pass to WR Terrell Owens for the only score of the period. In the second quarter, Dallas increased its lead with RB Marion Barber getting a 5-yard TD run. The Panthers would get on the board with rookie QB Matt Moore completing an 11-yard TD pass to WR Steve Smith. The Cowboys would end the half with kicker Nick Folk getting a 42-yard field goal.

In the third quarter, Carolina began ralling with John Kasay getting a 37-yard field goal for the only score of the period. In the fourth quarter, Dallas responded with Folk kicking a 23-yard field goal. The Panthers tried to comeback as Kasay nailing a 25-yard field goal, but the Cowboys' defense held on for the win.

With the loss, not only did Carolina fall to 6-9, but it also eliminated them from the playoff race.

Week 17: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

"at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida"
* Game time: 1:00 PM EDT
* Game weather: 80°F, Mostly Cloudy
* Game attendance: 65,609
* Referee: Gene Steratore
*TV announcers: (FOX): Ron Pitts (play-by-play), Tony Boselli (color commentary), and Chip Carter (sideline reporter)

Carolina concluded the regular season at home against the Buccaneers. With a playoff spot now gone and nothing to lose, the Panthers took the field with Matt Moore at the helm.

Tampa Bay struck first as second-string QB Josh McCown, in place of starter Jeff Garcia, drove the Buccaneers down the field for the game's first score, a touchdown pass to TE Jerramy Stevens. The Panthers responded by driving to the Tampa Bay 4 yard line. A field goal kick by John Kasay was good, but a holding penalty by LB Derrick Brooks gave the Panthers a first down. They capitalized on this opportunity with a 2-yard touchdown pass from Moore to TE Christian Fauria, tying the game at 7.

In the second quarter, a Matt Moore interception by Phillip Buchanon led to a Matt Bryant field goal. The Panthers responded once again with a 20-yard touchdown pass to TE Dante Rosario, giving Carolina a 14-10 lead with 6:40 left in the half. Late in the second quarter, Josh Bidwell punted to Carolina, but a fumble by Ryne Robinson on the return was recovered by the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay tacked on another Bryant field goal with 2:34 left in the half, but Carolina responded with a field goal of their own with 16 seconds remaining until the break, giving them a 17-13 lead at the half.

Midway through the third quarter, Carolina punted and pinned the Buccaneers on their own 2 yard line. McCown then led the Buccaneers on a 10-play, 98-yard touchdown drive, the longest such scoring drive in franchise history, resulting in a 23-yard touchdown pass to RB Michael Bennett and a 20-17 lead. Carolina kept themselves in the game, however, quickly following up a 46-yard reception to Drew Carter with a 1-yard touchdown run by RB DeAngelo Williams, making the score 24-20 in favor of the Panthers.

Going into the fourth quarter, the Bucs added another field goal from Bryant with 14:02 left in the game and the score 24-23. The Panthers capped their scoring with a 32-yard touchdown run from Williams, his second of the day, making it 31-23. Trailing late in the fourth quarter, McCown drove the Buccaneers to the Carolina 36 yard line, but was intercepted by DB Richard Marshall. As a sign of respect for his last official game, the Panthers let veteran QB Vinny Testaverde kneel down the ball on the game's last play. The Panthers finished the season with a record of 7-9.

Coaching staff

Division Standings