The Carolina Panthers completed their tour of three elite quarterbacks in four games by beatingAaron Rodgersand the Green Bay Packers37-29. The game marked the second straight game where the Panthers saw a big lead slip away in the fourth quarter of a game. This time the Panthers were able to get out of trouble in regulation with a key turnover.
The Packers had just pulled within eight whenCam Newtonmade his only major mistake of the day and threw an interception deep in Panthers territory to Packers cornerDamarious Randall. Randall had been victimized throughout the game, and this pick must have seemed like vindication for him. Fortunately the Panthers held on fourth and goal whenThomas Davisjumped to get an errant Rodgers pass.
The interception to Randall was about the only blemish on Cam Newton’s day. Yes, the Panthers offense had a hard time moving in the second half. Newton had three touchdowns passing and an additional one rushing. He found Panthers receiversJerricho CotcheryandDevin Funchessfor key conversions in the first half of fifty yards or more. He also took down a Packers banner and failed to convinceJulius Peppersto give him the touchdown ball.
Funchess had his biggest game as a Panther with his tough 52 yard catch from Newton and later a slant touchdown that provided the final Panthers score of the game. The more Funchess becomes part of the attack, the better off the Panthers will be.
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Neither running game was particularly impressive, but Cam andJonathan Stewartmixed in some nice runs. For the Packers, there were times whenJames Starkslooked unstoppable. Fortunately those moments were few as the Packers moved to pass more as the game went on. Starks also had some action in the screen game that the Panthers did not stop quickly.
The Packers went to the screen game to deal with the pressure that the Panthers brought on Rodgers. The team collected five sacks in the game.Kony Ealyhad a sack and three quarterback hits to lead the team in the latter category. The Panthers brought pressure up the middle withStar LotuleleiandKawann Short. Additionally the Panthers blitzed the A gap often with linebackersLuke Kuechlyand Davis.
Next: Panthers: Lessons from Saints-Titans
The long view is that the Panthers are 8-0 with a good position relative to the rest of the NFC. The short view is going to be that the Panthers need to close out their games. We can’t have gotten so used to cardiac finishes that we go looking for them.
The Panthers play the Tennessee Titans on Sunday at 1:00 PM.
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