By Charles Chandler
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Granted, it came against what amounted to the New Orleans Saints' junior varsity, but it was nonetheless an impressive season finale for the Carolina Panthers Sunday at Bank of America Stadium.

The Panthers won for the third straight week, beating the Saints 23-10 to finish with an 8-8 record.

Quarterback Matt Moore had his fourth consecutive turnover-free game and raised his record to 4-1 as a starter since getting the job as a result of Jake Delhomme's broken finger. Jonathan Stewart rushed for 125 yards on 16 carries, including a 67-yarder for a touchdown, to lead the Carolina running game into the history books.

Stewart (1,133 yards) and DeAngelo Williams (1,117) became the first pair of teammates to rush for 1,100 yards in the same season. Williams sat out his second consecutive game because of an ankle injury.

"That was a goal that was within reach and we definitely wanted to get that done," Stewart said of the accomplishment. "You've had about thousands of great running backs (play in the NFL) and for us to be able to reach that is very special."

For the Saints (13-3), the game wasn't much more than an exhibition. They had already clinched the top playoff seed in the NFC and didn't need to win. As a result, seven starters didn't play, including quarterback Drew Brees, and eight more didn't play after halftime.

"Our goals were set, we're a No. 1 seed, but it isn't good losing games like we have the last couple of weeks," said New Orleans tight end Jeremy Shockey, who didn't play.

The Saints lost their third consecutive game, making them the first No.1 playoff seed to begin postseason play with a three-game losing streak.

However, running back Mike Bell said that won't matter if the Saints play like they did for most of the season once the playoffs begin.

"The end result is the most important thing," said Bell. "I think when we go out and accomplish what we want to accomplish, this game is going to be irrelevant."

It certainly wasn't meaningless to the Panthers, who head into the offseason on a hot streak they hope will help them when training camp opens next summer.

"I really think that the way we're playing right now, I think if we were given a chance (in the playoffs), I think we'd be really dangerous," said fullback Brad Hoover. "But when you don't play as well as you want to early in the year, it's just hard. We finished on a good note, though."

Said receiver Muhsin Muhammad: "I can guarantee that there are a lot of teams in the NFC that are probably happy that we are not in the postseason right now."

Facing what had appeared to be an extremely difficult closing schedule, the Panthers beat the Vikings, Giants and Saints in their final three games by a combined score of 90-26.

That helped Carolina put to rest a long, disappointing season that began with three consecutive losses.

"With what these guys have been through, what they kind of came through, I'm just happy to see smiles on their faces here down the stretch," said Fox.

Carolina took control early and never looked back. Stewart's 67-yard touchdown run came on the game's second offensive play and the Panthers never trailed.

John Kasay kicked three field goals and Carolina's other points came on the first touchdown reception of Dwayne Jarrett's three-year career.

Jarrett made a diving catch and lunge across the goal line on a 30-yard pass from Matt Moore with 13 seconds remaining in the first half.

The Panthers led 17-3 at halftime and maintained a double-digit lead throughout the second half.

Moore completed 14 of 23 passes for 162 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions, providing even more momentum in his late-season drive to go into next season as the front-runner to be the Panthers' starter.

The Panthers have an 8 a.m. meeting today with Fox before beginning their offseason vacations.

There could be signficant changes before they reconvene for a spring minicamp in about four months. Between now and then, it'll be determined whether Fox will return as coach and whether prominent players such as Muhammad and Julius Peppers will be back.