Smash and Dash attack has Panthers aiming for playoffs

DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart sizzled in Monday’s win over Tampa Bay.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — While Carolina coach John Fox’s offensive philosophy has always emphasized pounding the ball between the tackles, the Panthers have a dubious history on the ground: two 1,000-yard rushers in their first 13 years in the NFL.

After two straight seasons out of the playoffs, Fox was determined to transform the Panthers into the ball-control, run-oriented team he’s comfortable with.

Enter Smash and Dash.

The named coined for the Panthers’ two-headed ground attack of DeAngelo Williams (Dash) and Jonathan Stewart (Smash) sizzled on a national stage Monday night when Carolina (10-3) took control of the NFC South with a 38-23 win over Tampa Bay (9-4).

“Smash and Dash, they ran the ball hard,” said Steve Smith, who caught nine passes for 117 yards and a touchdown but was overshadowed by the two dynamic backs. “Man, you can’t say enough good things about them.”

Consider all the records set while shredding the Buccaneers, who had allowed only one rushing TD in their first 12 games:

UWilliams ran for a career-high and team-record 186 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries.

UStewart had 115 yards and two scores on 15 carries, making them only the sixth set of backs since 1960 to each have more than 100 yards and two TDs in a game, according to STATS LLC.

UThe Panthers rushed for 299 yards — including Jake Delhomme kneeling twice for minus-2 yards to end the game. That eclipsed the team record of 264 yards set a month ago against Detroit.

UWilliams surpassed the 1,000-yard mark with a 40-yard burst in the second quarter.

With 1,141 yards, he joins Stephen Davis (1,444 in 2003) and Anthony Johnson (1,120 in 1996) on Carolina’s short list of running success.

With Stewart sitting on 699 yards, the Panthers have an outside chance to have only the fifth set of teammates to go over 1,000 yards in the same season.

“Both of those backs have been special for us,” Fox said. “They’re a big reason that we’re sitting with the record we have. They’ve done a perfect job.”

Stewart and Williams seem content to share the carries and glory. The two even did choreographed dances on the sidelines after each of their four TDs.

“I’m so excited about our offensive line and our fullback,” Williams said.