Cam Newton, Panthers underneath duress with Zero-2 begin after loss to Bucs
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has extra weapons round him than at any level in his profession. The 2015 NFL MVP and the offense gained’t be restricted due to Newton’s offseason shoulder surgical procedure and a preseason ankle harm. The offense shall be explosive.
These have been issues written and stated popping out of coaching camp.
None have come to fruition, and due to that the Panthers’ season is on the point of catastrophe after 20-14 prime-time loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and an Zero-2 begin.
The Bucs got here out with a defensive formulation different groups are positive to observe. Stress Newton with blitzes, don’t fear about him as a risk to expire of the zone-read and gang up on operating again Christian McCaffrey.
It labored superbly. Newton was Zero-for-10 underneath duress with three sacks and at one level within the fourth quarter the offense had a complete of 30 yards on 19 performs inside Buccaneers territory, with 13 of these performs going for zero or detrimental yards.
McCaffrey, who had 53 whole yards, was stopped a fourth-and-1 from the 2-yard line with 1 minute, 21 seconds remaining, ending the Panthers’ hopes. Every week after wanting like the perfect again within the league, he was a non-factor.
If this development continues the Panthers gained’t be an element as a playoff contender.
Cam Newton and the Panthers managed solely 4 area objectives in opposition to the Buccaneers. AP Picture/Brian Blanco
Purchase breakout efficiency: Kicker Joey Slye, nicknamed “Swole Tweeter” by Newton, was alleged to be a heat physique to present Graham Gano’s sore plant leg a relaxation in coaching camp. He’s now the beginning kicker and proving to be one. He had two area objectives within the opener and linked on 4 in opposition to Tampa Bay, together with a 54-yarder to finish the primary half. That the kicker is being written about right here says rather a lot.
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Troubling development: Sluggish begins. The Panthers haven’t scored a landing within the first half of both recreation and have trailed in each. They’ve 4 area objectives within the first two quarters and have been outscored 23-12. They’re lucky it’s not worse.
QB breakdown: Newton stated the deep ball was in his arsenal after making an attempt one cross (a 26-yard incompletion) and having no completions of longer than 17 yards within the opener. He proved that with a 44-yard completion to Curtis Samuel within the first quarter by which the ball traveled 38 yard. That was his longest since a completion to Devin Funchess within the final recreation of the 2017 season went 42 yards. However Newton, who completed 25-of-51 for 333 yards with no TDs and no INTs, wasn’t part of the operating recreation within the read-option, carrying twice for no yards every week after having a career-low minus two yards on three carries. Dreadful for the quarterback with extra dashing yards than some other since 2011. This left McCaffrey a sitting duck and rendered the offense defenseless.
Silver lining: The final time the Panthers began Zero-2 was 2013. They went on to a 1-Three begin earlier than reeling off eight straight wins to complete the common season 12-Four and NFC South champs.