Panthers 30, Broncos 10
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Steve Smith and DeAngelo Williams powered Carolina past Denver.
In clinching at least a tie for the NFC South title and moving closer to their first playoff berth in three years, the Panthers (11-3) improved to 8-0 at home and prevented the Broncos (8-6) from clinching the AFC West.
Smith caught nine passes for 165 yards and a touchdown. Williams added a 56-yard touchdown run and the Panthers' defense shut down the league's second-rated offense.
Denver 10 0 0 0 – 10
Carolina 10 10 7 3 – 30
First quarter
Den–Pope 7 pass from Cutler (Prater kick), 10:58.
Car–Smith 15 pass from Delhomme (Kasay kick), 8:21.
Den–FG Prater 43, 3:37.
Car–FG Kasay 39, :10.
Second quarter
Car–Stewart 2 run (Kasay kick), 6:29.
Car–FG Kasay 44, :00.
Third quarter
Car–Williams 56 run (Kasay kick), 12:49.
Fourth quarter
Car–FG Kasay 42, 11:22.
A: 73,690.
Den Car
First downs 15 18
Total Net Yards 279 400
Rushes-yards 23-121 30-147
Passing 158 253
Punt Returns 1-(-3) 2-22
Kickoff Returns 5-116 3-60
Interceptions Ret. 1-34 1-4
Comp-Att-Int 21-33-1 17-26-1
Sacked-Yards Lost 3-14 0-0
Punts 5-48.2 4-39.8
Fumbles-Lost 1-1 0-0
Penalties-Yards 3-25 5-35
Time of Possession 29:10 30:50
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing: Denver, Pope 7-51, T.Bell 7-43, Young 6-19, Cutler 2-9, Scheffler 1-(minus 1). Carolina, Williams 12-88, Stewart 16-52, Smith 1-9, Delhomme 1-(minus 2).
Passing: Denver, Cutler 21-33-1-172. Carolina, Delhomme 17-26-1-253.
Receiving: Denver, Royal 6-48, Marshall 5-48, Graham 3-25, Pope 3-24, Stokley 2-20, T.Bell 2-7. Carolina, Smith 9-165, Muhammad 4-70, Williams 3-3, King 1-15.
Missed Field Goals: Denver, Prater 47 (WR).