GREEN BAY — In the opinion of cornerback-turned-safety Charles Woodson, the experiment was a success — with one glaring, game-deciding, gut-wrenching exception.

And for that one play — Steve Smith's leaping 54-yard catch with 1 minute, 33 seconds left, which set up the go-ahead touchdown in the Carolina Panthers' 35-31 victory over the Green Bay Packers — Woodson took full responsibility.

"I'd take myself 100 percent of the time to be in that position — with the ball in the air, being able to go get the ball. I didn't make it happen," said Woodson, who was stride-for-stride with Smith until Smith created just enough separation with his right arm as Jake Delhomme's throw arrived.

"I should've made it. That's the bottom line. I should've made it. I know Steve is a great player, but he shouldn't have made that catch."

With injured safeties Atari Bigby (ankle, shoulder), Aaron Rouse (inactive with an ankle injury) and Charlie Peprah (calf) having been ineffective in last Monday night's blowout loss at New Orleans, Packers coach Mike McCarthy decided at midweek to move Woodson to safety, saying it was a matter of "getting your best players on the field."

For most of the game, the move paid dividends. After allowing Drew Brees to throw for 323 yards and four touchdowns six days earlier, the Packers defense held Delhomme to 177 yards — and 90 of it came on two plays: Smith's 36-yard catch against Tramon Williams to set up the game-tying touchdown, and his 54-yarder against Woodson to set up the game-winner.

Woodson, who did play some safety during his time in Oakland, said secondary coach Kurt Schottenheimer approached him on Thursday about the idea, although his only practice work at the position came Friday.

efensive coordinator Bob Sanders said after the game he'd consider using Woodson at safety the rest of the year "if it gives us the best chance to win."

It gave them a chance to win Sunday until Smith's catch, one of four big plays the Panthers' offense managed. Smith finished with four catches for 105 yards, all in the second half.

"My job is to catch the ball, so that's what I did," said Smith, who then watched DeAngelo Williams score his fourth 1-yard TD of the day to finish things off. "I'm not the tallest guy, but I got to go and attack the ball. That's what I did and it worked out."

Sanders said Woodson "was in great position. He was having a great game. He's having a great year at corner, a Pro Bowl year at corner, and his unselfishness to try and help the team, my hat goes off to him."

Woodson said the defense wasn't surprised by the play, which came right after Mark Jones returned the kickoff 45 yards following Mason Crosby's 19-yard go-ahead field goal.

"I was obviously deep enough for the pass, so it didn't surprise me," Woodson said. "Just as the ball was coming down, I was going to get my feet set, and he got his arm on my body, pushed me off to get up, and he got the ball.

"That should have been my ball. But I give him credit for putting his team in position to win the game."