The Panthers opened their season against the Philadelphia Eagles with a 70-yard drive down the field ending with a touchdown run by DeAngelo Williams to give Carolina a 7-0 lead. The Eagles answered with a 48-yard field goal. For the Panthers, the lead was shortlived as the Eagles proceeded to outscore the home team 28-3 in the second quarter.

Leading to the Panthers poor offensive showing? A total of seven turnovers (the team’s worst single-game showing since a 1995 loss to the St. Louis Rams). Quarterback Jake Delhomme was responsible for five of the turnovers, throwing four interceptions and losing a fumble, before being benched late in the third quarter. For Delhomme, Sunday’s home game was a nightmare. Following a humiliating playoff loss against the Arizona Cardinals to end their 2008 season in Bank of America stadium in which Delhomme threw five interceptions, it was evident that the quarterback’s confidence is shaken. Despite a weak showing by the offensive line, which forced Delhomme to force and hurry plays, the boos of the Panthers fan fell heavily on Jake’s shoulder pads.

Unfortunately, the Panthers quarterback depth is less than ideal. Replacing Delhomme was Josh McCown, who only played a handful of snaps before hobbling off the field following a hard sack. Taking McCown’s place was third stringer Matt Moore. Following in Delhomme’s shaky footsteps, Moore added to the turnover total by throwing an interception of his own. On a later drive, rookie running back Mike Goodson lost a fumble.

The Panthers struggled to find any tempo or chemistry on offense. The highly anticipated run duo of Williams and Jonathan Stewart was snuffed out by a powerful Philadelphia defense, and star receiver Steve Smith had few opportunities to show his skill, finishing the day with a total of 21 yards on three receptions.

Sunday’s game wasn’t completely doom and gloom. While the pitiful play of the offense was overshadowing, the defense put up a solid effort. Thomas Davis quietly accrued 16 tackles, while team renegade and newly-elected captain Julius Peppers recorded four solo tackles and a sack. Meanwhile, Jon Beason returned to the field after a sprained knee ligament and totaled four tackles and an interception.

The Panthers will have to regroup and be able to move past Sunday’s heartbreaking loss as they travel to Atlanta, in what’s sure to be a fierce battle against the surging Falcons in a divisional face off.