NFL

Game, division lead gone

By wire services
Published December 25, 2005

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Upon further and further review, the Panthers might not be a playoff team.

Two critical late plays fell in favor of the Cowboys, and Carolina's playoff hopes turned from a virtual certainty to nothing definite.

Terry Glenn's 2-yard touchdown catch with 24 seconds left came on the heels of Carolina's running-into-the-kicker penalty with 1:08 remaining, as the Cowboys stayed in the playoff hunt.

Julius Peppers was called for running into Billy Cundiff, who missed what would have been a tying field goal from 33 yards. The Panthers insisted Ken Lucas partially blocked the kick.

"Only me and God know that I touched the ball," Lucas said.

Coach John Fox said he hadn't seen the replay, but assistants with access to televisions were certain the kick was blocked.

Said Lucas: "I was involved in the play, so I know what I felt. I don't have a little tingly feeling in my fingers for nothing."

Suddenly, the Panthers aren't feeling very tingly about anything. They entered the day needing a win and help to clinch the NFC South title, but now they need a victory at Atlanta just to get into the playoffs. The the Bucs can win the division by defeating New Orleans at Raymond James Stadium on New Year's Day.

Carolina's chance to win the division and host a playoff game, which seemed like a good bet before a home loss to Tampa Bay Dec. 11, would require a victory and a Tampa Bay loss.

"We were in the driver's seat for two out of three weeks and we didn't take care of business," Lucas said. "Our backs are against the wall now."

The penalty gave the Cowboys a first down and set up Glenn's touchdown, which was upheld after officials reviewed the play and said he caught the ball and got his feet down inbounds.

The officials also were involved at one other crucial juncture. That came with 3:02 left in the third quarter and Dallas up 17-13. Quarterback Jake Delhomme fumbled as he was sacked. Receiver Steve Smith, Carolina's best offensive weapon, picked up the ball and was pushed out of bounds near the first-down marker by Terence Newman. Smith said he was hit after he was down and tried to bring it to the attention of officials.

Referee Terry McAulay said Smith grabbed line judge Mark Steinkerchner and was ejected.

There were plenty of problems that can't be blamed on the referees. Dallas ran for 214 yards and the Panthers allowed more than 300 yards of total offense (394) for the first time in 10 games. Quarterback Jake Delhomme fumbled three times (losing one), was sacked three times and intercepted once.

NOTABLE: Cowboys right guard Marco Rivera (strained neck) sat out, ending his streak of 113 consecutive starts.

[Last modified December 24, 2005, 23:43:13]