Panther Losing Streak a Dirty Dozen

The Carolina Panthers really outdid themselves this time--and against the lowly Buffalo Bills, no less.

The Panthers, who have blown leads five times this season in the final five minutes, gave up 19 unanswered points in about two quarters in a 25-24 loss to Buffalo on Sunday.

Bill quarterback Alex Van Pelt led the comeback, throwing for 277 yards and a touchdown in his fourth start in place of Rob Johnson, who’s out with a broken collarbone.

Rookie running back Travis Henry ran for 101 yards and the go-ahead touchdown.

“It’s unreal,” Panther safety Mike Minter said. “Every week. I didn’t believe it was possible.

“Twelve weeks in a row we’ve been talking about the same thing.”

Ahead, 24-6, until the end of the second quarter, the Panthers (1-12) were blanked the rest of the way in dropping their 12th straight game.

The Bills (2-10) ended a six-game losing streak and won for the first time in nine home games, one loss short of matching a franchise record.

The game turned in unexpected fashion.

The Bills scored with one second remaining in the first half on a seven-yard pass from Van Pelt to Peerless Price.

Brandon Spoon then intercepted Chris Weinke’s pass and ran it back 44 yards, cutting Carolina’s lead to 24-19 with 5:39 left in the third quarter .

Buffalo completed the comeback midway through the fourth on Henry’s one-yard touchdown run.