Carolina Panthers beat Browns with Familiar Formula
The Carolina Panthers defeated the Cleveland Browns yesterday to improve their record to 6-8-1 and once again place themselves at the doorstep of a possible postseason berth. The formula that the Panthers used on Sunday was very familiar to the Panthers fan. The Panthers used a ball control offense to grind clock and played strong defense most of the game. The key Panthers blunders were caused by their two leaders, Cam Newton and Luke Kuechly, but those will likely not repeat themselves.
17. 87. Final. 13. 53
A Carolina Panthers Offensive Line?
Jonathan Stewart ran for 122 yards behind the patchwork group of guys that the Panthers call an offensive line. The group of Bell-Norwell-Kalil-Turner-Remmers did a good job keeping the defensive pressure off of Newton. When Newton had to hold the ball, he had time to figure out what to do with it.
Nothing was more representative of the line’s effort than the Panthers’ go-ahead touchdown. Newton was in a third and goal situation and his tailback, Stewart, was not assigned to block but went out as a receiver. Newton had lots of time and he contemplated another Superman move, even though there were Browns that might have stopped him. At the last instant, Newton stepped back like Stephen Curry does, and threw the ball to Stewart, who had gotten open for him. Without great blocking, Newton would not have had the time to make all that work.
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- Carolina Panthers vs Jaguars: Q&A with Black & Teal
Young Guns in the Secondary
The young secondary had a pretty good day too. The advantage of playing guys like Bene Benwikere, Tre Boston, and Josh Norman is that they are hungrier than veterans of similar talent level. With Roman Harper to balance them out, they have played well. Norman had a leaping interception which was nullified when he tried to hold the ball like someone trying to keep the last cookie away from siblings.
This is the Panthers model that we remember. Strong defense, running game, and avoiding turnovers will win games. It is good that they found it now, because they will need all of it against Atlanta.