Review of Week 3 For The Carolina Panthers
Sep 27, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers cornerback
Josh Norman(24) intercepts a pass in the end zone intended for New Orleans Saints wide receiver
Brandin Cooks(10) late in the fourth quarter. The Panthers defeated the Saints 27-22 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
This game was a nail biter and I was biting my nails throughout most of the game. At the beginning of the game I was about to freak out. Going down to the New Orleans Saints 10-0 was not how I seen the game starting but you have to give props to Luke McCown. He came out and played his butt off which justified those Verizon commercials we see. Let us get into further detail about the game.
87. Final. 22. 15. 27
The defense laid an egg in the game. Yes, I know field conditions played a part in that but the defense as a whole could not get after the quarterback (probably why they traded for Jared Allen). Hopefully the addition of Allen can help that pass rush which has not been too good this season so far. The secondary was getting picked apart because of the lack of a pass rush. As Dave Gettleman has said before it is hard for the quarterback to throw on his butt.
More from Cam Newton
- Top 10 Moments of the Decade in North Carolina Sports
- What should be on Carolina Panthers’ Christmas list?
- Cam Newton to IR: The Death of the Superman Era in Carolina
- Should the Carolina Panthers Trade Cam Newton?
- Carolina Panthers vs Jaguars: Q&A with Black & Teal
If the defense plays like that against Aaron Rodgers, then he will decimate the defense. Heck, any quarterback will do that. No offense to Luke McCown, but we made him look like Joe Montana. The defense has to step up and come out with a fire in their hearts. It seemed at the beginning of the game the defense was not happy to be out there. It could be the fact that they are missing the heart of the defense which is Luke Kuechly.
Live Feed
Cat Crave
There was some positive things and they were all offense related. Cam Newton is turning into an elite quarterback people and the proof is the start of this season. He has played his best football in his career so far this season. He had two passing touchdowns against the Saints to go along with a rushing touchdown. He now sits at 26 games with a rushing and passing touchdown each and is only trailing Steve Young who had 31 games. So, for any haters out there are you ready to give him some props?
Live Feed
SideLion Report
Another player who had a fantastic game was Greg Olsen. He caught two touchdown passes and the NFL tried to screw him over again on a bad call which took away a touchdown. Greg Olsen still found the end zone on that drive. Plenty of bad calls went against the Panthers including several bad spots which is a common theme for them through the first 3 games. Ron Rivera challenged two bad spots and got one overturned and the other did not have enough evidence to overturn.
Live Feed
Cat Crave
The end of the game was intense because the Saints were driving down the field to try to score the winning touchdown. That is when Josh Norman made one of the best interceptions of the football year (got top spot in top 10 on ESPN) and saved the game for the Carolina Panthers. Norman will be getting that fat check after this season and I hope it is with the Panthers. He makes big plays in big moments in the somewhat similar words of former Panthers’ player Steve Smith. Pay the man Gettleman.
So, it was a tougher game then I predicted and the Saints came out with a good game plan thanks to their smart coach. The Panthers would of lost this game a few years ago but this year shows they are growing as a franchise and a team. They did not panic or get upset when they went down they just kept pounding. The motto for the Panthers was shown in this game and I am proud to be a Panthers fan. Go Panthers!