It’s Really a Rally by Panthers

Fifteen games into the season, the Carolina Panthers produced something different: a winning rally in the fourth quarter.

Steve Beuerlein’s 68-yard scoring pass to backup tight end Luther Broughton with 2:44 left gave Carolina a 20-13 win over the St. Louis Rams on Sunday.

It was the first time in 11 games this season that Carolina (3-12) won after trailing after three quarters.

The comeback victory, however, may not be enough to save the job of Coach Dom Capers. Several newspapers have reported that owner Jerry Richardson has decided to replace Capers, who has a 29-34 record but is only 10-21 since leading Carolina to the NFC West title in 1996.

Beuerlein threw for 193 yards and two touchdowns, and the Panthers forced four turnovers that they converted into 10 points.

St. Louis (4-11) fell to 0-7 against NFC West opponents this season and also may be in for a coaching change. Second-year Coach Dick Vermeil is 9-22.

The Panthers are 2-9 in games decided by seven points or less, and game-deciding plays in both victories came at the expense of Ram linebacker Roman Phifer.

Last month in St. Louis, Phifer intercepted a pass with less than three minutes left and was returning it for what would have been the go-ahead score. But Carolina wide receiver Mark Carrier ran him down from behind, slapped the ball free and it was recovered by the Panthers’ Frank Garcia, giving possession back to the Panthers, who won, 24-20.

This time, Phifer was covering Broughton alone on a streak pattern down the left sideline. Broughton, starting because of injuries to Pro Bowl tight end Wesley Walls, simply got behind Phifer for the catch and then outraced him to the end zone, putting Carolina up, 17-13.