Panthers beat Saints: two top take aways
It took 11 weeks into the NFL season, but the Carolina Panthers finally recorded their first divisional win against the Saints on Thursday night in Charlotte. After losing four straight, Carolina has rerouted to 3-1 since their bye week, including the game against Kansas City which could have easily gone the other way. However, this win certainly came at a cost as Carolina’s most beloved player, Luke Kuechly, suffered a tough hit to the head and is now undergoing the concussion protocol. As Head Coach Ron Rivera discussed in his press conference, he had yet to speak to the athletic trainer and was only planning on doing so after his time with the media. After the win Thursday night, here are a two things we learned.
1) Despite Kuechly’s injury, the defense stepped up.
The biggest difference between Thursday’s game was New Orleans’ offense was unable to produce big time plays in comparison to the first time these two teams faced off, as in Week Drew Brees threw for almost 500 yards and put up 41 against Carolina for the second 40+ game of the season. According to the Panthers.com, with three more sacks against the Saints, the Panthers now have a league-leading 30 through 10 games. Eighteen of them have come in the last four games. Coach Rivera also commented on the increase of quality play from the defense and said “I think the young secondary playing better has helped. Some guys have stepped up and played better as far as that group of defensive linemen,” Rivera said. “We’re getting exceptional push from the inside, which has been really helping the ends. That’s where most of the sacks have come from. Mario (Addison) has really done a nice job, but with the foot (injury) we’ll see how he is come Monday. Charles Johnson has just been solid all year. Kony (Ealy) has stepped it up. That’s what we need to have.”
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2) Carolina must find their identity on offense.
In the past, Carolina has been able to support any lack of offensive production by putting on a hard hat, and going to work in the running game, whether that be from electrical runs from Cam or Jonathan Stewart barreling over people without mercy. However this team has struggled running the ball, due from what I believe to be a lack of execution from the offensive line. Whether it be injuries or having such important people a part of these injuries such as All Pro center Ryan Khalil and Michael Oher who, as we know, is somewhat well known for protecting quarterback’s blindside. Not only does this allow defenses to put more pressure on Cam and load the box to counter passing plays, but it affects scheme blocking and how effective the line is at opening up gaps for Stewart to run through.
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