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Smith, Williams carry Panthers past Packers

Nov 30, 2008 - 11:21 PM GREEN BAY, Wisconsin (Ticker) -- Steve Smith began the season serving a team-imposed two-game suspension for a fight in training camp. On Sunday, he helped the Carolina Panthers take a huge step toward securing a playoff spot.

Smith's 54-yard reception set up DeAngelo Williams' fourth touchdown of the game - a 1-yard run with 1:30 remaining that lifted the Panthers to a 35-31 victory over the Green Bay Packers.

"Good teams find a way to win, whether it be in the first quarter or the fourth," said Williams, who was held under 100 yards for the first time in four games despite his four TDs, which all came on 1-yard runs.

The win, which came after Carolina squandered a 21-10 halftime deficit, kept the Panthers (9-3) tied with Tampa Bay atop the NFC South.

"We got our ninth win," said Smith, who finished with four receptions for 105 yards after being held without a catch in the first half. "When we got the opportunity, we made the most of it. We had confidence when we threw the ball versus their defensive backs and linebackers."

The Packers erased their halftime deficit by scoring on their first four second-half possessions.

Green Bay took a 28-21 lead on Aaron Rodgers' 21-yard TD pass to Greg Jennings with 13:43 remaining before the Panthers tied it on Williams' third score, another 1-yard burst with 11:10 to play.

However, Green Bay (5-7) had to settle for Mason Crosby's 19-yard field goal with 1:57 remaining after a 16-play, 79-yard drive that consumed more than nine minutes.

The Packers had a 1st-and-goal at the 7, but failed to score on a pair of cracks from the 1-yard line, then opted for the go-ahead field goal.

"I thought about (going for) it," Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy said. "It was an option. But to go up three points with two minutes left at home, I was confident in that position. That's why I kicked it."

Mark Jones, who had 155 yards on four kickoff returns, took the ensuing kick back to the Panthers' 45-yard line.

"We wanted to give the offense some good field position," Jones said. "Our wedge really blocked their guys and gave me a lane to run through. I could not let just one person tackle me."

Delhomme went deep on the next play and Smith took the ball away from cornerback Charles Woodson while making a leaping grab before being downed at the 1-yard line.

"I saw it the whole way," Smith said. "Saw the arc of it, very much like a punt."

Williams, who rushed for 72 yards on 21 carries, plunged into the end zone on the next play, allowing the Panthers to rebound from last week's 45-28 loss at Atlanta.

"We started fast and finished fast," Carolina coach John Fox said. "This is not the easiest place to play."

Rodgers finished 29-of-45 for 298 yards and three touchdowns, setting career highs in completions and attempts.

"I thought Aaron Rodgers was superb today," Fox added. "That is a good offense. I thought our football team team hung in there."

The game's turning point came on the possession after the Packers had taken a 28-21 lead.

Delhomme threw an interception, but it was negated due to an interference penalty that moved the ball to the Packers' 37-yard line. Delhomme came back with a 36-yard completion to Smith that set up Williams' third score.

"We are disappointed to come up short so many times this year," said Rodgers, whose team's playoff hopes may be on life support. "We aren't going to make excuses, we had the opportunity."