This was not the phase where the Panthers were supposed to lose Sunday's game against Denver. If an avalanche was going to happen, you would think John Elway or Terrell Davis would given the shout that launched it. But there had been a few signs the Panthers' special teams weren't as good as they used to be. Carolina came into the game only 16th in punt return yards allowed. Panthers tight end Wesley Walls, who never used to watch the team punt, always watches now.
Walls is worried the other team is going to get a quick six.
Ken Walter's punt was 54 yards long, and it was high, and it was universally accepted in the locker room Sunday that what happened on punt 230 wasn't his fault. But San Diego's Darrien Gordon grabbed the ball at his 18, circled right briefly, and then spun to his left and started rolling. He made Gordon cut slightly inside. Panthers special teams coach Brad Seely said. No Michael Bates.