Published: Monday, Oct. 12, 2009 / Updated: Monday, Oct. 12, 2009 07:27 AM

Panthers rally from dismal start to post first victory in 287 days

CHARLOTTE -- In three months, this one might not mean anything.

But at the moment, nothing has meant more for the Carolina Panthers in a long time.

The Panthers finally won a football game Sunday, beating the Washington Redskins 20-17 with a collection of things strange and unusual, from finally making a play or two on special teams to sealing the win on the legs — yes, the legs — of embattled quarterback Jake Delhomme.

But after the game, it wasn't his highlight-reel bootleg Delhomme was talking about, or the bounces that finally went their way. It was the simple relief of winning something.

The Panthers hadn't enjoyed a victory in 287 days, since last year's regular-season finale at New Orleans. That included a disastrous playoff loss, a winless preseason and three ugly Ls to start this season.

That's why Delhomme ran off the field and fired the ball into the stands. That's why coach John Fox circled around looking for someone to hug. That's why there was a palpable sense of relief in the locker room, where nothing more pleasant than dread had hung this year.

“That is what it's about,” Delhomme said. “It's about coming into the locker room after a game when it's just the coaches, players, trainers and equipment managers. It's been a month since the season started. We've got so many young guys, and you want that atmosphere to breed. That is what you want. That is the big thing.

“That is why you do any and everything you can during the week; take care of your body to get ready, because this is what Sunday is about. You want it to feel like this on Sunday afternoon.”

The feeling was even more meaningful because as close as they are to the team that went 12-4 a year ago, this is still a very young team.

Thirteen members of Sunday's 53-man roster are new this year and haven't celebrated anything as Panthers. Just 12 of them were around for the 2005 run to the NFC championship game, the last year they won a playoff contest. Only eight of them were in Charlotte for the Super Bowl XXXVIII loss to New England, the time when the franchise stretched its legs and seemed destined for something more.

Again, it might not matter much down the road, because the Redskins are bad and haven't beaten anyone good en route to their 2-3 record.

But Sunday, the one day the Panthers had to change things, it was crucial, and 1-3 has never sounded sweeter.

For much of the day, it looked like it was going to be like the three that preceded it.

Rock-steady running back DeAngelo Williams — a guy who never fumbles — coughed it up on the first play from scrimmage to hand it to Washington at the 13-yard line. Two plays later, the Redskins had a gift-wrapped touchdown. Delhomme, who had turned the ball over nine times in three games this year, started the second half with another interception, which was returned by cornerback DeAngelo Hall to the 1. One play later, another present for the Redskins was opened, and they led 17-2.

But unlike the previous three weeks, when slow leaks turned into losses, the Panthers responded.

From the sound of things, the locker room at halftime was a loud place. Voices were raised in frustration, challenges were issued.

It wasn't divisive, but it was desperate.

Veteran fullback Brad Hoover said it was similar to the 2004 halftime at San Francisco, when the Panthers turned around their 1-7 start and won the first of five straight. That day, Fox was the one challenging their toughness, asking his players if they had what it took to win.

“Guys get up and let things off their chests; grown men have to do that every now and then,” Hoover said. “There were some frustrations flying. It came down to guys having to man up and realize we've got to get things done. More or less, it was a sense of urgency that we've got to get this thing going now, and it's got to happen as soon as we come out. ...

“For the most part, that was the message. We're on the ropes, we've got to make it happen, and if we don't do it, you at least have to go down fighting.”