Delhomme moves Panthers closer to playoffs
Published on December 27, 2004 under National Football League Europa (NFLE) News Release
FORMER World Bowl-winning quarterback JAKE DELHOMME (Amsterdam 1998/Frankfurt 1999) has the Carolina Panthers within one victory of the NFC playoffs, even though the NFC South club made a 1-7 start to the year.
Delhomme was outstanding during Carolina's 37-20 defeat of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in NFL Week 16 action, completing 19 of 24 passes for 214 yards, 4 touchdowns and no interceptions.
JAY TAYLOR (Rhein 2003) kicked 2 PATs for Tampa, while defensive tackle CHARTRIC DARBY (Barcelona 2000) registered 3 tackles.
Victory over New Orleans next week will see the Panthers clinch a post-season berth. However, the Saints are also still alive following the heroics of kick returner MICHAEL LEWIS (Rhein 2001) during their 26-13 defeat of the NFC South champion Atlanta Falcons.
Lewis averaged 40.7 yards per kickoff return on Sunday, scoring a crucial touchdown on a 96-yard runback. The former Fire star also returned 5 punts for 40 yards and added 1 special teams tackle.
Running back AARON STECKER (Scotland 2000) gained 20 yards on 5 carries for the Saints, while wide receiver BRIAN FINNERAN (Barcelona 1999) caught 3 passes for 38 yards for Atlanta. Linebacker ARTIE ULMER (Frankfurt 1998) registered 1 tackle for the Falcons.
Other NFL Europe League veterans in NFL Week 16 action
Cincinnati Bengals 23, New York Giants 22
In his first start of the season, JON KITNA (Barcelona 1997) completed 20 of 32 attempts for 186 yards and 2 touchdowns, including a game-winning 4-yard strike to Chad Johnson with 44 seconds remaining. Kitna added 2 runs for 14 yards, while safety ANTHONY MITCHELL (Rhein 2000) registered 2 stops.
Kansas City Chiefs 31, Oakland Raiders 30
LAWRENCE TYNES (Scotland 2002) kicked a game-winning 38-yard field goal with 22 seconds remaining to defeat the Raiders. Wide receiver DANTE HALL (Scotland 2001) caught 2 passes for 14 yards for KC, added 6 kickoff returns at an average of 29.2 yards per return and 2 punt returns for 5 yards. Linebackers FRED JONES (Frankfurt 2002) and GARY STILLS (Frankfurt 2001) each recorded 2 tackles for the Chiefs. Defensive end BOBBY HAMILTON (Amsterdam 1995-96) made 4 stops and added a sack for the Raiders, while linebacker TIM JOHNSON (Rhein 2002) registered 5 tackles.
Denver Broncos 37, Tennessee Titans 16
Safety NICK FERGUSON (Rhein 1999-2000), cornerback KELLY HERNDON (Barcelona 2000) and linebacker DONNIE SPRAGAN (Amsterdam 2001) each recorded 3 tackles for the victorious Broncos. Herndon added an interception in defeating the Titans.
Pittsburgh Steelers 20, Baltimore Ravens 7
Linebacker JAMES HARRISON (Rhein 2004) recorded 6 tackles as the Steelers clinched homefield advantage throughout the AFC playoffs. Ravens defensive end MARQUES DOUGLAS (Rhein 2000) recorded 12 tackles, defensive tackle KELLY GREGG (Rhein 2001) made 3 stops and tight end DARNELL DINKINS (Rhein 2002) caught a 5-yard pass.
New England Patriots 23, New York Jets 7
ADAM VINATIERI (Amsterdam 1996) scored 11 points as New England clinched a first round bye in the AFC playoffs. The two-time Super Bowl winner kicked 3 of 4 field goals (28, 29, 26) and 2 of 2 PATs. Defensive back EARTHWIND MORELAND (Rhein 2002 & 2004) registered 3 tackles for the defending Super Bowl champions.
Buffalo Bills 41, San Francisco 49ers 7
Tight end ROD TRAFFORD (Scotland 2003) caught a 5-yard pass and linebacker JOSH STAMER (Amsterdam 2002) recorded 2 tackles and an interception as the Bills kept their playoff hopes alive with a big win over the 49ers. MAURICE HICKS (Scotland 2003-04) rushed for 10 yards and caught a 15-yard pass for San Francisco.
Dallas Cowboys 13, Washington Redskins 10
Pro Bowl defensive tackle LA'ROI GLOVER (Barcelona 1997) recorded 2 tackles and 2 sacks for the Cowboys.
Miami Dolphins 10, Cleveland Browns 7
Wide receiver BRYAN GILMORE (Barcelona 2001) caught a 13-yard pass during Miami's defeat of the Browns. Linebacker BRENDAN AYANBADEJO (Amsterdam 2002) registered 4 tackles, while defensive end JAY WILLIAMS (Amsterdam 1996) chipped in with 2 stops.
Other NFL Week 16 Scores
Indianapolis Colts 34 San Diego Chargers 31 (OT); Green Bay Packers 34 Minnesota Vikings 31; Houston Texans 21 Jacksonville Jaguars 0; Detroit Lions 19 Chicago Bears 13; Seattle Seahawks 24 Arizona Cardinals 21.
National Football League Europa Stories from December 27, 2004
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