Carolina Panthers: Top takeaways from Week 2 loss to Atlanta Falcons

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ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 16: C.J. Anderson #20 of the Carolina Panthers is tackled by Damontae Kazee #27 of the Atlanta Falcons on a run during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Need more consistency from the run game

The Carolina Panthers were productive on the offensive side of the ball with nearly 450 total yards of offense. However if this group wants to reach that next level, they need more production from the run game.

The Panthers finished the game with only 18 carries for 120 yards and an average of 6.7 yards per carry. These numbers though are a bit inflated because 49 yards came on just three carries.

Meanwhile, for the second straight game Cam Newton led this team in rushing with only 42 yards. While Newton is an incredible athlete and one of the best quarterbacks the NFL has seen running with the ball, any offense that has running backs like Christian McCaffrey and C.J. Anderson, should not be led by their quarterback in rushing.

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While the struggles of the run game could be attributed to the offensive line that has been pieced together this season, the focus for this coaching staff moving forward should be to establish the run. There is too much talent in this backfield not to be utilized and this run game could open the big pass play for Newton and these receivers.

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