Peppers has become a force

CHARLOTTE -- In the multi-billion dollar world of the NFL, how much is a win worth, especially if it avenges one of the bitterest defeats in a team's history?

The question comes to mind after defensive end Julius Peppers' dominating performance in the Carolina Panthers' 34-21 win at Arizona.

Peppers had one of those days he has had on occasion during his eight seasons with the Panthers when his enormous potential bursts into full bloom.

He ferociously hunted down Cardinals' quarterback Kurt Warner throughout the afternoon, forcing Warner to throw sooner than planned and hitting him at times just as the ball was released.

Then there were the two mega-plays that made such a huge difference that even skeptics should allow they might well have been worth the $1 million Peppers received for his day's work.

Not many defensive ends keep their balance and avoid falling flat on their faces when delivered the kind of cut block that Arizona's Mike Gandy put on Peppers midway through the second quarter.

But Peppers maintained his footing and instantly reached up to grab the swing pass Warner was counting on throwing over Peppers' fallen body.

Peppers gracefully ran into the end zone for his first touchdown in five years. It was the kind of jaw-dropping, S-on-his-chest play that Peppers used to make, but had been missing in recent seasons.

Then, late in the game when the Cardinals began a rally, Peppers swooped in on Warner from behind, sacking the quarterback and stripping the ball for a fumble that teammate Tyler Brayton recovered.

That essentially closed out the Panthers' win.

The victory was a huge boost for a Carolina team that hadn't seemed the same since losing to Arizona 33-13 on Jan.10 in a home playoff game.

Peppers' two big plays were preceded by a chilling moment. With 9:57 remaining in the second period after the Panthers forced the Cardinals to punt, Peppers was flat on the ground on the far side of the field from the Carolina bench.

It turned out Peppers had the wind knocked out of him.

Panthers coach John Fox said he believes Peppers' past four games comprise as good a stretch as he has ever seen Peppers have. Peppers has recorded at least one sack in those four games to raise his season total to seven, which ranked sixth in the NFL through Sunday.

Peppers smiled when told that Fox said he's never played better, but didn't weigh in.

"That's his opinion," Peppers said "... I feel like I'm playing well. I can't say it's as well as I've ever played before. ... Everybody has their opinion."

Peppers was assailed by many Panthers' fans for saying in the offseason he wanted to leave. Carolina kept him out of free agency with its franchise tag, which secured him a $16.683 million salary.

He started the season with a strong performance in a season-opening loss to Philadelphia, but then had little impact in losses to Atlanta and Dallas, when his play looked less than inspired.

Since the Panthers' Week 4 bye and linebacker Jon Beason suggesting Peppers needed to play with more effort, his performance has surged as Carolina has won three of four games.

While debate likely will continue about how much money Peppers or any player should be making in this economy, there's no denying his hot streak is paying big dividends for the Panthers.