CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) – The Carolina Panthers got a measure of revenge for their Super Bowl loss to New England – even if they again struggled to stop Tom Brady and the Patriots’ offense.

Rodney Peete found Walter Young for an 18-yard touchdown pass with 1:48 to play, rallying the Panthers past the Patriots 20-17 in an exhibition game Saturday night.

Jake Delhomme threw for 201 yards and a touchdown for Carolina, which has won eight straight preseason games. Linebacker Brandon Short added a key interception to set up the winning drive, which erased a 17-10 lead built by New England’s starters.

Brady again stung the Panthers’ defense, throwing for 217 yards and two touchdowns in the rematch of last year’s thrilling Super Bowl. Adam Vinatieri, who won that game with a 41-yard field goal with four seconds left, missed a 56-yard attempt to tie it as time expired Saturday night.

Brady and the Patriots picked apart the Panthers defense early, rolling to 216 total yards and a 14-3 lead in the first 20 minutes. Brady, who threw for 354 yards and three touchdowns in the 32-29 Super Bowl victory, often had plenty of time to find receivers downfield thanks to steady play from his offensive line.

Both teams played their starters for three quarters, with Brady and the Patriots getting the best of their counterparts heading into the fourth.

Carolina Pro Bowler Stephen Davis missed the game to rest a sore knee, and reserve DeShaun Foster had no luck running behind a patchwork offensive line that was without starters Tutan Reyes and Matt Willig. Foster fumbled twice, including deep in Patriots’ territory just before halftime, and finished with 16 yards.

The Panthers had said they were hyped for the rematch, even if it was just a preseason game. But it was New England, which looked listless in the 31-3 loss to Cincinnati last week, which came out in midseason form.

After a scoreless first quarter, Brady connected with tight end Daniel Graham for a 46-yard touchdown. Graham had beaten linebacker Dan Morgan in coverage and was wide open on the right side for the score 17 seconds into the second quarter.

The Patriots increased that lead to 14-3 when Brady found Benjamin Watson over the middle for a 6-yard score with 5:48 left in the quarter.

With its running game stymied early, the Panthers turned to Delhomme, who directed a 73-yard scoring drive that he punctuated with a 9-yard toss to Ricky Proehl with 2:51 left in the half.

The Panthers had a chance to take the lead before the break, driving to New England’s 8. But Foster fumbled on a third-down catch, turning the ball over with 25 seconds left in the half.

Notes: Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith injured his left hamstring when he was tackled by Asante Samuel with 7:37 left in the third quarter. He did not return and the extent of the injury was not immediately known. … Saturday’s game marked the sixth time in 10 seasons that a Super Bowl rematch occurred during the following preseason. The winning team had won four of those previous games, most recently with Baltimore beating the New York Giants 38-9 in 2001. … Carolina and New England combined to win 15 of 16 preseason games entering Saturday’s contest. … Patriots cornerback Ty Law did not play due to a sore leg.

AP-ES-08-28-04 2351EDT