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Peppers Panthers swarm Redskins

Aug 24, 2008 - 2:41 AM By Brian Joura PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Ticker) -- Defensive end Julius Peppers is ready to put a sub-par 2007 season behind him.

Peppers had a sack, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in the opening 30 minutes, helping the Panthers jump out to a 34-point halftime lead en route to a 47-3 win over the previously undefeated Washington Redskins Saturday night at Bank of America Stadium.

Carolina's defense forced three-and-outs on Washington's first two possessions. The Redskins' third time with the ball ended when Peppers came up with a sack, a forced fumble and a recovery, which led to a field goal and a 6-0 lead.

And as dominating as the defense was for the Panthers (2-1), the offense ran the ball at will. Running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, both vying for the starting tailback job, took turns knifing through the Redskins' defense.

Williams had 101 yards, 93 of which came in the first half. He had a 60-yard touchdown run and lost another score when he fumbled on his way to the goal line. But Steve Smith picked up the loose ball and ran the final eight yards for the touchdown.

Stewart rushed for 100 yards on 10 carries. He had four runs of 10-plus yards, including a 50-yard touchdown up the left sideline.

Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme, who missed most of the 2007 season due to an injured elbow, looked in mid-season form. He completed 11-of-19 passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns.

Delhomme found backup tight end Dante Rosario for a 24-yard score at the end of the first half and combined with Smith on a 33-yard touchdown on the first drive of the third quarter.

The Panthers' defense was buoyed by the return of starting cornerbacks Chris Gamble (hamstring) and Ken Lucas (broken nose), both of whom sat out the first two exhibition games with injuries. The duo helped hold the Redskins to 49 yards in the first half.

Washington (3-1) lost the game in the trenches and had trouble getting anything going offensively. Clinton Portis rushed for 32 yards on eight carries but 17 of those came on one play. Quarterback Jason Campbell completed 6- of-10 passes for only 39 yards.

The Redskins lost defensive end Jason Taylor to a sprained right knee in the second quarter. He did not return. Starting right tackle Jon Jansen also left the game with a sprained right foot.