NE struck early in the third Period with Brady hitting Patten again for a 45 yard scoring strike to stretch the lead to 31-21.
NE looked poised to blow the game open after Delhomme threw his fourth interception of the game, but Brady gave the Panthers a gift back and it was returned 87 yards for a TD by Manning, cutting the Score to 31-28.
After that the defences took over with Carolina sacking Brady 4 more times, and NE intercepting Delhomme a fifth time.
IN a desperation Move Carolina called on Rodney Peete with 1:38 left and the ball on thier 20 yard line. Peete responded with 5 consecutive completions to move Carolina to the NE 16 Yard line. After an incompletion in the end zone, Peete was sacked for an 11 yard loss, and with 6 seconds remaining on the clock John Kaseys 44 yard FG attempt sailed Wide Right.
FINAL Stats :
Delhomme 13-30-186-5 INT-1 TD
Peete 5-6-64-0-0
Brady 12-21-233-3-3
Davis 19-53-1TD-1F
Smith 13-27-0-0
Defensive Stars :
Ty Law, NE 3 INT - 1 TD
Poole, NE 2 Int
Manning,CAR 2 Int- 1 TD
Peppers,CAR 4 Sacks