Monday Night Magnificence

A couple weeks ago, I posted about the fact that my Carolina Panthers were getting no respect despite the best start in franchise history and one of the top records in the NFL. I have a feeling that's about to change. The Panthers shredded the lauded Tampa Bay defense en route to a resounding 38-23 win last night on Monday Night Football. The Bucs had allowed only 1 rushing touchdown all year, but Carolina's tandem of Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams (or as they're becoming known, "Smash and Dash") gashed them for 300 yards (Williams 185, Stewart 115) and 4 touchdowns. Add in another explosive night from Steve Smith and it was a party atmosphere in Charlotte last night. Our last 3 games are very tough, but Carolina now controls their own destiny for home-field advantage in the playoffs - win out, and we're the NFC's #1 seed. At any rate, I don't think we'll be seeing many more hack job pieces like this one written by SI.com's Adam Duerson last Friday.