Steelers pound Panthers to even record at 7-7
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Rick Havner, Associated PressPanthers quarterback Chris Weinke is sacked by Steelers linebackers James Farrior (51) and Clark Haggans during the second quarter. At left is nose tackle Chris Hoke.
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CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Steelers blocked a punt and Santonio Holmes returned another for a touchdown on the way to a 37-3 rout of the Carolina Panthers this afternoon.
Holmes returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter after a penalty against Carolina nullified his lost fumble on the previous play, also a punt return.
After rookie safety Anthony Smith intercepted his second pass in two games, the Steelers sent quarterback Charlie Batch into the game for Ben Roethlisberger and also sat down halfback Willie Parker, who had his first 100-yard game on the road this season. Parker ran 23 times for 132 yards, including a 41-yard touchdown.
The victory pulled the Steelers record to 7-7, the first time they've been at .500 since they were 1-1.
Jeff Reed kicked three field goals, including a 26-yarder with 4:01 left in the game.
At halftime, the Steelers led the Carolina Panthers 17-3, all of the points scored in the second quarter.
Ben Roethlisberger scored on a 1-yard bootleg around right end to give the Steelers a 7-0 lead on the first play of the second quarter.
A Santonio Holmes 8-yard touchdown reception on third down was overturned by replay in the second quarter, and Jeff Reed came on to kick a 19-yard field goal for a 10-0 Steelers lead.
James Harrison blocked James Baker's punt attempt for Carolina with 2:55 left in the half, and Ike Taylor recovered at the Panthers' 10. That set up a 13-yard touchdown by Najeh Davenport on a screen pass from Roethlisberger.
John Kasay, who missed a 50-yard field goal try in the first quarter, kicked a 37-yard field goal with four seconds left for Carolina's only points of the first half.
First Published December 17, 2006 12:00 am
