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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's 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 $1million 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. Most everyone in University of Phoenix Stadium knew that even though about seven minutes remained in the game. It was then that masses of Cardinals' fans began heading to their cars.
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 minutes, 57 seconds remaining in the second period after the Panthers' defense forced the Cardinals to punt, Peppers was flat on the ground on the far side of the field from the Carolina bench.
He stayed there for what seemed like several minutes as trainers and medical personnel checked on him.
Teammates gathered around and Fox hurried over, too.
"When he's heaped up over there, I'm real concerned," said Fox.
It turned out that Peppers had the wind knocked out of him.
"I was thankful for that," said Fox.
Peppers popped up off the ground and sprinted back to the Panthers sidelines.
His next play was his touchdown.
Fox later said he believes Peppers' past four games comprise as good a stretch as he's ever seen Peppers have.
He 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 of Fox. "You'll have to talk to him about that. I feel like I'm playing well. I can't say it's as well as I've ever played before. That's up to him. That's up to y'all to determine that. Everybody has their opinion."
Peppers was assailed by many Panthers' fans for saying in January and February he wanted to leave. Carolina kept him out of free agency with its franchise tag, which secured him a $16.683million 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.
Ever since the Panthers' bye in Week 4 and radio commentary by linebacker Jon Beason suggesting he needed to play with more effort, Peppers' performance has surged as Carolina has won three of four games.
The next quarterback he'll chase is New Orleans' Drew Brees on Sunday, when he'll have a chance to record a sack in a fifth straight game, a career high he's achieved twice, in his 2002 rookie year and in 2006.
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, too.
