This wasn't a fluke ladies and gents.

[Catufb85]

I won't officially say Cam is back. But Cam did resemble his 2015 MVP self yesterday in one of the toughest environments in the NFL vs the GOAT.  Panthers were without key players such as Ryan Kalil, Greg Olsen, Curtis Samuel, Daryl Worley, among a few other key contributors (Cash, Hall) and the Patriots were fully loaded with no key players out other than Burkhead which is a role player.   The next men up stepped in and performed very well.  Kudos to Funchess, Dickson, and Seymour yesterday.

Breaking down the game the only thing i can say is, opposite of the media emphasizing more on how BAD the Patriots D is and not how well the Panthers played, i think this could be a great turning point and foreshadowing of the remaining season.  CAM was CAM yesterday.

Game Analysis:

Panthers had 9 possessions to the Patriots 9.  Panthers were 6/9 on 3rd downs!!!! 

Panthers totaled 444 yards to Patriots 373.  Panthers gained 140 on the ground and held Patriots to 80.  ***One of the more underlying stats most won't notice is the Panthers had 1 penalty for 33 yards (the BS PI on Adams) to the Patriots 7 for 55 yards, and 2 of those were on Gilmore for hands to the face that i believe both extended drives on big 3rd downs.

Panthers had 2 T.Os to the Patriots 0.

Cam completed 22/29 316 10.9 avg 3 TD and 1 INT for a super high 130.8 QB rating.

THE BREAK DOWN:

Drive 1: Result FG:  Panthers marched down the field on the opening possession to come up 2 yards short on a Cam 3rd down scramble to lead to a Gano FG. 

Drive 2: Result INT: Panthers ran just 3 plays on this series that resulted in a INT from Cam on a poor double coverage throw.  Butler didn't bit on the fake smoke screen, which Aikman proceeded to question Cam's decision making which was merited because any QB should have seen Butler bail on the screen and run with Byrd, should have been an easy dump off to Funchess in space.

Drive 3: Result TD: Panthers get it rolling.  Didn't have a single first down on this series.   Cam went 4/4 on this series hitting Fozzy on a beautiful screen call from Shula (yes i did beautiful call) but with the criticism on CMC from people, if they saw this play CMC came in motion and every LB accounted for his presence which left Fozzy all alone for the screen to the opposite field of CMC.

Drive 4: Result TD: Panthers converted two 3rd down and long (8 and 9 yards) with completions to Funchess and KB for 13 and 43 yards.  Blown coverage left Funchess for the 10 yard TD pass in the endzone. 

Drive 5: Panthers opening second half rolling to have their drive stalled by a fumble by JStew in the redzone.

Drive 6: Result TD: Panthers converted another 3 3rd down plays, Cam with 8 yard designed QB run on 3rd and 2, 3rd down converted with help of Gilmore trying to remove Funchess facemask during the game, and another designed Cam run up the middle for 13 yards on 3rd and 7.  CAM being CAM.

Drive 7: Result TD: Cam became only QB in history with his 50th rushing TD on 1st and goal from the 7.  This put the Panthers up 30-16.

Drive 8: Result Punt: Panthers pulled back the reigns a little bit on this drive to not give up the big play which resulted in Patriots running 10 plays for 4:18 resulting in a TD on 4th and goal.  Almost a perfect defensive stand by our beloved Defense.  Making the score 30-30 with around 3 minutes left in the game.

Drive 9: Result gaming winning FG:  Now, this is the type of drive that QB's will be remembered and praised for.  Game-winning drives.  Panthers take over tied 30-30 with 3:09 minutes to go in the game.  A beautiful 10 play drive that was again helped out on 3rd and 7 when Cam was sacked and the world thinking they are about to see Brady have yet another game winning drive, for Gilmore to attempt to rip Funchess facemask off that allowed another first down.

Panthers methodically drive into FG range that left Gano 4 seconds and 48 yards to win back the huddlers with a W in sight.

This was one of Shula's better called offensive games in quite some time.  I know the media will be focused on how atrocious the Patriots defense is, and they do have a point so far, but lets look at how productive Cam and the offense was.  Over 300 passing and 140 on the ground.  Cam and JStew averaged 4.9 and 5.5 a carry.  Funchess first career multiple score games.  Dickson stepped in for injured Olsen with 3 huge catches for 62 yards. 

Cam was finally back into rhythm completing 75% of his throws averaging 10.9 a catch.  Cam ran 8 times for 44 yards and 1 TD and 3 of those runs resulted in 2 first downs and 1 TD.

I won't say i am holding my breathe but if we can repeat this performance on Sunday versus a similar opponent in Detroit with a great offense and a much better defense.  When we come away with a victory on Sunday i believe we can start putting the NFL on notice and fear in peoples eyes like 2015.

but at this time, one game at a time and Monday's are always sweeter with a Panthers WIN!

Keep Pounding.  

 

[Porn Shop Clerk]

Gano making the winning field goal was a fluke, however.

[chknwing]

lets not get carried away, New Englands defense is horrid.  This is a big win but dont make it into something its not.  Without the penalties etc by new englands defense, this is a much different game.

[Seltzer]

Yesterday was a huge win.  Winning against the Belichick/Brady Patriots is an accomplishment, and beating them as reigning SB Champs and in Foxboro is even more impressive.

To me, though, the truest "beating Seattle in 2015" moment for this year will be next week against the Lions on the road.  The Lions are a very good team, and beating them on the road will probably require our offense to put up 25+ points again.  

If we can beat the Patriots & Lions in back-to-back weeks on the road, then we will truly have the markings of a team that can challenge for and into the playoffs.  The win yesterday was awesome, but next week will show if the offense truly is getting it figured out or if it was a "flash in the pan" performance against a bad Patriots defense.

[Chaos]

So where does Detroit's defense rank in the NFL?  I need to know if I should prepare to disregard a win next week as no great accomplishment, or prepare to lose.  Apparently there is no middle ground.

[Davidson Deac II]

1 hour ago, Catufb85 said:

I won't officially say Cam is back. But Cam did resemble his 2015 MVP self yesterday in one of the toughest environments in the NFL vs the GOAT.  Panthers were without key players such as Ryan Kalil, Greg Olsen, Curtis Samuel, Daryl Worley, among a few other key contributors (Cash, Hall) and the Patriots were fully loaded with no key players out other than Burkhead which is a role player.   The next men up stepped in and performed very well.  Kudos to Funchess, Dickson, and Seymour yesterday.

Breaking down the game the only thing i can say is, opposite of the media emphasizing more on how BAD the Patriots D is and not how well the Panthers played, i think this could be a great turning point and foreshadowing of the remaining season.  CAM was CAM yesterday.

Game Analysis:

Panthers had 9 possessions to the Patriots 9.  Panthers were 6/9 on 3rd downs!!!! 

Panthers totaled 444 yards to Patriots 373.  Panthers gained 140 on the ground and held Patriots to 80.  ***One of the more underlying stats most won't notice is the Panthers had 1 penalty for 33 yards (the BS PI on Adams) to the Patriots 7 for 55 yards, and 2 of those were on Gilmore for hands to the face that i believe both extended drives on big 3rd downs.

Panthers had 2 T.Os to the Patriots 0.

Cam completed 22/29 316 10.9 avg 3 TD and 1 INT for a super high 130.8 QB rating.

THE BREAK DOWN:

Drive 1: Result FG:  Panthers marched down the field on the opening possession to come up 2 yards short on a Cam 3rd down scramble to lead to a Gano FG. 

Drive 2: Result INT: Panthers ran just 3 plays on this series that resulted in a INT from Cam on a poor double coverage throw.  Butler didn't bit on the fake smoke screen, which Aikman proceeded to question Cam's decision making which was merited because any QB should have seen Butler bail on the screen and run with Byrd, should have been an easy dump off to Funchess in space.

Drive 3: Result TD: Panthers get it rolling.  Didn't have a single first down on this series.   Cam went 4/4 on this series hitting Fozzy on a beautiful screen call from Shula (yes i did beautiful call) but with the criticism on CMC from people, if they saw this play CMC came in motion and every LB accounted for his presence which left Fozzy all alone for the screen to the opposite field of CMC.

Drive 4: Result TD: Panthers converted two 3rd down and long (8 and 9 yards) with completions to Funchess and KB for 13 and 43 yards.  Blown coverage left Funchess for the 10 yard TD pass in the endzone. 

Drive 5: Panthers opening second half rolling to have their drive stalled by a fumble by JStew in the redzone.

Drive 6: Result TD: Panthers converted another 3 3rd down plays, Cam with 8 yard designed QB run on 3rd and 2, 3rd down converted with help of Gilmore trying to remove Funchess facemask during the game, and another designed Cam run up the middle for 13 yards on 3rd and 7.  CAM being CAM.

Drive 7: Result TD: Cam became only QB in history with his 50th rushing TD on 1st and goal from the 7.  This put the Panthers up 30-16.

Drive 8: Result Punt: Panthers pulled back the reigns a little bit on this drive to not give up the big play which resulted in Patriots running 10 plays for 4:18 resulting in a TD on 4th and goal.  Almost a perfect defensive stand by our beloved Defense.  Making the score 30-30 with around 3 minutes left in the game.

Drive 9: Result gaming winning FG:  Now, this is the type of drive that QB's will be remembered and praised for.  Game-winning drives.  Panthers take over tied 30-30 with 3:09 minutes to go in the game.  A beautiful 10 play drive that was again helped out on 3rd and 7 when Cam was sacked and the world thinking they are about to see Brady have yet another game winning drive, for Gilmore to attempt to rip Funchess facemask off that allowed another first down.

Panthers methodically drive into FG range that left Gano 4 seconds and 48 yards to win back the huddlers with a W in sight.

This was one of Shula's better called offensive games in quite some time.  I know the media will be focused on how atrocious the Patriots defense is, and they do have a point so far, but lets look at how productive Cam and the offense was.  Over 300 passing and 140 on the ground.  Cam and JStew averaged 4.9 and 5.5 a carry.  Funchess first career multiple score games.  Dickson stepped in for injured Olsen with 3 huge catches for 62 yards. 

Cam was finally back into rhythm completing 75% of his throws averaging 10.9 a catch.  Cam ran 8 times for 44 yards and 1 TD and 3 of those runs resulted in 2 first downs and 1 TD.

I won't say i am holding my breathe but if we can repeat this performance on Sunday versus a similar opponent in Detroit with a great offense and a much better defense.  When we come away with a victory on Sunday i believe we can start putting the NFL on notice and fear in peoples eyes like 2015.

but at this time, one game at a time and Monday's are always sweeter with a Panthers WIN!

Keep Pounding.  

 

In fairness and while I am thrilled with the win, their defensive play was horrible.  That was the worst NFL secondary play I have seen since our first game against Atlanta last year.   If that was our defense, we would be ready to fire the coach, the coordinator, the GM, the players, the guy selling sodas, etc.... 

 

For a team that some said would go undefeated. 

[imminent rogaine]

Cam looked better. Play call looked better. Its reasonable to be encouraged.

That said, keep in mind that this was a bad defense that left people completly uncovered multiple times and then bailed us out with penalties when they had us reeling.

 

[AggieLean]

Yep, gonna need to put up 25+ against the Lions but good thing is this is the game I see the panthers creating some turnovers on D. Staffy throws a couple of picks

[Doc Holiday]

2 hours ago, Porn Shop Clerk said:

Gano making the winning field goal was a fluke, however.

that was the most shocking thing when I saw the game highlights yesterday(had school during the game).

[Catufb85]

32 minutes ago, Chaos said:

So where does Detroit's defense rank in the NFL?  I need to know if I should prepare to disregard a win next week as no great accomplishment, or prepare to lose.  Apparently there is no middle ground.

Detroit is 3-1 (beating Arizona, Minnesota, Giants, and losing to Falcons)

Stafford: 887 yards 63.8% comp 7 TD and 1 INT

Leading Rusher: Abullah 257 yards avg 3.9 a carry 3 TD. Also got 9 catches on 11 targets.

Receiver: Golden Tate 32 catches 219 and 1 TD

Defense: Total D: ranks 18th allowing 322.5 a game.  Pass D ranks 21st allowing 236 a game. Rush D is 8th allowing 86.3 a game.

Detroit is tied with the Panthers scoring defense allowing 17.5 a game.

Detriot is currently leading the NFL in T/O diff. +9  7 INT and 4 fumbles and only giving the ball away on 1 INT and 1 Fumble.

ranked 10th in 3rd down conversion rate.  And currently tied 5th with fewest penalties on Defense with the Panthers with 23 penalties.

[Porn Shop Clerk]

2 hours ago, chknwing said:

lets not get carried away, New Englands defense is horrid.  This is a big win but dont make it into something its not.  Without the penalties etc by new englands defense, this is a much different game.

They had been doing that poo all game and getting away with it.  There was tons of interference with Byrd on Cam's interception.

[pantherj]

The Patriots defense was a combination of busted coverage all over the place and zero pass rush. But yes it's great that Cam is throwing the ball much better.

[UpstatePanther]

2 hours ago, Porn Shop Clerk said:

Gano making the winning field goal was a fluke, however.

we shouldnt have needed him to win the game for us if he could have just kicked that damn extra point alittle more straight

[Vegas Heel]

13 minutes ago, Porn Shop Clerk said:

They had been doing that poo all game and getting away with it.  There was tons of interference with Byrd on Cam's interception.

I said that at the time. There was OBVIOUS illegal contact at least on that play. Should have been no INTs for Cam in this game. It was a bad decision but should have been called...