Carolina Panthers: Good News About the Errors Against Browns

The Carolina Panthers beat the Browns on Sunday, but the victory of the Panthers was not flawless and the two biggest plays in the game to keep the Browns in it were made by each of the Panthers’ two most high profile players.

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The Big Carolina Panthers Mistakes

Cam Newton threw an interception at the end of a play that he simply did not need to throw. Fortunately the referees ruled the Browns player who caught it down at the spot, because the Browns returned the ball in the confusion to the end zone. It was a throw that should never had happened.

Newton and the Panthers had the ball just over midfield on a long third down. Newton did not see anything on his initial read and began moving to the right to open up options and maybe allow him to run for it. He ultimately did not find anything there either, so he double backed and headed to the left side of the field.

My first thought when he did that was that he was going to get sacked. He was running back toward the pressure and he was losing huge yardage at this point. Newton actually completely reversed his field and then tried to force a throw that fluttered on him and then got picked off.

Luke Kuechly was also at fault for an error that changed the game. Kuechly was the guy who was supposed to cover Jordan Cameron when he got loose for the big touchdown pass. Cameron was otherwise quiet for much of the game.

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Lessons Learned?

So what should we take from these mistakes? The good news is that they were not committed by supporting cast members. The Panthers need clean games from as many players as they can get.

The other good news is that these mistakes will likely never happen again. Kuechly will make sure he is aware. Newton, on the other hand, may still feel like the Panthers season is on his shoulders. There may be another forced throw in the future. I think the chance is reduced, since Cam saw the team win without him against Tampa. He knows they can do it so he does not need to force it.