a defensive lineman. Peppers would record 4 tackles, 1 interception, and 1 pass defensed in a losing effort to the Broncos by a score of 17–20. In a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 12, Peppers produced one of the NFL's most dominant performances of the season by blocking a 26-yard field goal attempt, recording a 46-yard interception return for a touchdown, which was Peppers first career touchdown scored and was the first interception returned for a touchdown by a defensive lineman in Carolina Panthers history. Also recorded 1 pass defensed, 1 sack and 4 tackles including one stop in which he chased down Bucs running back Michael Pittman from behind on a 68-yard screen pass in the second quarter. The Panthers would defeat the Bucs 21–14. Peppers would also make a memorable play in Week 15 against the Atlanta Falcons, which was a Saturday night game held on December 18, 2004, Peppers would grab a fumble in midair by Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick and race 60 yards the other way for a Panthers touchdown. Peppers also harassed and chased Michael Vick all over the field during the game as he recorded 3 tackles one being for a loss of yards, 1 pass defensed and the 60 yard fumble recovery for a touchdown. Peppers would also line up as a wide receiver in the red zone towards the end of the second quarter, and catch a pass just outside the end zone, that if thrown more accurately by Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme would have resulted in a touchdown catch for Peppers. It was a hard-fought game with the Falcons but the Panthers would lose in the end by a score of 34–31. Peppers would also set an NFL record by recording 143 total interception return yards which is the most ever recorded in a single season by a defensive lineman. He also had a combined 203 interception and fumble return yards which is the most ever by a defensive lineman in a single season since the NFL merger in 1970. Peppers would finish the season with 52 solo tackles, 12 assisted tackles, 11 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 2 interceptions, 9 passes defensed, 4 stuffs, 1 blocked kick, and 2 defensive touchdowns. For his accomplishments Peppers was named to his first NFL Pro Bowl while also earning a spot on the NFL's All Pro First-Team.