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).