"Watching the Carolina Panthers' tailbacks run into 7- and 8-man fronts at times has been the football equivalent of seeing someone slam his forehead into a wall.

The Panthers' run game might be battered and bloodied, but as long as John Fox is still the coach, they're not going to quit trying.

"Eventually, you just keep pounding and keep pounding, it will open," tailback Jonathan Stewart said Wednesday. "You keep knocking on the door, and eventually it'll open up."

The Panthers hope they might have splintered a crack in the door last weekend when they finally found a downfield passing attack in Week 7. The thinking is that if quarterback Matt Moore can stretch the field as he did against San Francisco, defenses will have to loosen up and give the Carolina backs more room to operate.

But as good as Moore and rookie receivers David Gettis and Brandon LaFell looked against the 49ers, it will take more than one game to restore balance to an offense that features the NFL's second-worst passing game.

"This game's a lot easier when your opponent's one-dimensional," Fox said. "I think to be dual-dimensional's important. Unfortunately, we haven't had a chance to do that.

"We haven't done it effectively enough, yet. It was good to finally see that happen. It gives your defense rest. It puts points on the board, and that's what it takes to win in this league."

Moore passed for a career-high 308 yards and spread the ball around as the Panthers enjoyed a 12-minute edge in time of possession against the 49ers. San Francisco - like the rest of Carolina's opponents - crowded the line of scrimmage to take away Stewart and DeAngelo Williams, who became the NFL's first backfield mates to rush for 1,100 yards apiece last season."