Published: Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009 / Updated: Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009 08:09 PM

Delhomme left to wonder about job as Panthers fall to 2-4

CHARLOTTE -- For the first time in his career here, Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme sounded like a broken man Sunday night.

Three more interceptions, two of them leading to short-field scores for Buffalo, were the difference in the Panthers' 20-9 loss at Bank of America Stadium.

"I mean, in my heart, yeah,” Delhomme replied when asked if he felt he deserved to keep his job. “But let’s be honest. I don’t think I’m a dummy. When you’re not playing well offensively, you always have to look at the quarterback. I don’t think there’s any doubt.

“I’m certainly not looking to give it up by any means, by any stretch of the imagination. But let’s be real here. Two big turnovers today really affected us.”

Panthers coach John Fox wouldn’t say whether he intended to stick with Delhomme.

“We’re going to evaluate it, and whatever changes we need to make, we’ll make,” Fox said.

A number of teammates again rallied to his defense, with left tackle Jordan Gross in particular saying he believed Delhomme had earned the right to lead the team into Arizona next week.

Gross called changing quarterbacks a “break-glass, pull-handle kind of move,” and kicker John Kasay said he would apologize to Delhomme for missing a pair of early field goals.

But Sunday, for perhaps the first time, Delhomme failed to walk off the podium poised for a fight.

He walked off the field with his head down, and admitted he was “numb” after the stunning loss, in which the Panthers outgained Buffalo 425-167.

“It’s disappointing,” Delhomme said. “It’s crushing.”

Delhomme had plenty of company in the loss, and had actually positioned the team for a comeback, driving them for a quick touchdown in the fourth quarter to narrow the gap to 17-9.

But after a furious defensive stop, wide receiver Kenny Moore (subbing for a cramping Captain Munnerlyn) fumbled the ensuing punt, giving the Bills another short field with which to work.