Hero
Panthers cornerback Captain Munnerlyn picked off Jets rookie quarterback Geno Smith and returned the interception 42 yards for a 30-13 lead in the fourth quarter, sealing Carolina’s victory. Munnerlyn, utilized often in blitz packages, also had two sacks and a total of four tackles.
Unsung hero
Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams rushed for 81 yards on 15 carries and caught three passes for 87 yards, including the game-turning 72-yard catch-and-run of a screen pass in the second quarter for a touchdown and a 13-6 lead.
Zero
Jets receiver Santonio Holmes first tweaked the Carolina secondary during the week, calling it the “weak link’’ of the Panthers defense, and then barely showed up in the game, making just two catches for 14 yards and dropping a bunny of a pass from Geno Smith on the Jets fifth offensive play from scrimmage to set a “Tone’’ (pun intended).
Key stat
3 Consecutive seasons the Jets will have gone without a winning season — the first time since 1994-96.
Quote of the day
“I’m an eight-year veteran. I wouldn’t regret anything.’’
— Jets receiver Santonio Holmes when asked if he regrets calling out the Carolina secondary