Ryan Kalil News

Panthers fullback Brad Hoover is carted off the field after spraining his ankle against Arizona on Sunday.

The chest is fine. His head is clear. But most importantly for Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme, his eyes are wide open.

QUARTERBACK Grade: F Comment: Jake Delhomme's performances this season simply aren't up to the standard he set in the past.

The Buffalo Bills victory last Sunday did many things for the franchise. First and foremost, it snapped a three game losing streak and an eight game winless streak against AFC East opponents.

One of the mysteries about the Carolina Panthers' 1-3 start involves the play of what was supposed to be one of the NFL's best offensive lines.

CHARLOTTE Maybe they're just slow starters. How else do you explain the play of Carolina's offensive line this season, which is perhaps the most perplexing and most disappointing aspect of this 1-3 football team through the first quarter of the season.

One of the mysteries about the Carolina Panthers' 1-3 start involves the play of what was supposed to be one of the NFL's best offensive lines.

GAME: Washington at Carolina SITE: Bank of America Stadium CAPACITY: 73,778 KICKOFF: Sunday, 1 p.m. TV: FOX SERIES HISTORY: 9th regular-season meeting.

It's still just seven guys. But for the Carolina Panthers, Monday's game at Dallas presents a new challenge, as they have to adjust to playing against a 3-4 defense for the first time this season.

ATLANTA - That thing about the first rule of holes applies to the Carolina Panthers today.

SEPTEMBER 20: Jake Delhomme #17 of the Carolina Panthers runs the offense against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on September 20, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Brown, the rookie defensive end who was the Panthers' top pick this spring, will have a key role against the Eagles, whether he plays defense or not.

The Carolina quarterback even pointed it out. And yet, the members of the Panthers ' offensive line looked like kindergartners trying to figure out quantum physics.

Jake Delhomme is still Carolina's starter - even after 11 turnovers in two games.

Published: Sunday, September 13, 2009 at 5:24 p.m. Last Modified: Sunday, September 13, 2009 at 5:24 p.m. CHARLOTTE When the Carolina Panthers took the opening kickoff and drove for a touchdown it was a grand way to begin the 2009 season.

Jake Delhomme sets out this season to put his six-turnover performance in last season's playoff loss to Arizona behind him.

Life is good for Carolina Panthers veteran Travelle Wharton. The former Hillcrest High standout and All-Southeastern Conference lineman at USC is about to begin his sixth season with the Panthers, who open at 1 p.m. Sunday at Bank of America Stadium against the Philadelphia Eagles.

JEFF SINER - jsiner@charlotteobserver.com http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2009/09/09/00/B82161499Z.1_20090909003509_000+GMOOV6NO.3.embedded.prod_affiliate.138.jpg 300 Carolina Panthers defensive end Tyler Brayton sacks Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco during first quarter at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, ...

Posted by Anthony Stalter Offseason Additions: Kevin Kaesviharn . Offseason Losses: D.J. Hackett ; Ken Lucas ; Jeremy Bridges ; Geoff Hangartner .

W HEN THE EAGLES open the 2009 season in Charlotte on Sunday, a unit that was considered one of their greatest strengths going into training camp 5 weeks ago will be one of their biggest question marks.