Mike Tanier (Football Outsiders) weighs in

[Delhommey]

The Panthers, meanwhile, did many things right, but they also made some of the same terrible mistakes that plagued them last year. A punt return fumble took away a Panthers possession. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on a Panthers punt gave the Seahawks good field position that led to a second-half field goal. DeAngelo Williams fumbled in the red zone to kill a Panther comeback. These were the 2012 Panthers, ill-timed turnovers and special teams blunders, back for an encore.

The Panthers coaching staff also took a bow. On third-and-1 at the Seahawks 34, midway through the third quarter, Ron Rivera and Mike Shula took Cam Newton out of shotgun, lined Williams up in the backfield, and executed the most predictable, stoppable off-tackle run imaginable. The Panthers punted, setting up the unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that allowed the Seahawks to get their offensive act together. Rivera is perpetually flummoxed by things like short-yardage strategies and when/where to punt/kick/go for it (he also blew a timeout on a challenge that had little chance of succeeding), and Shula appears determined to run away from the things his quarterback does best, like use his rushing ability as a short yardage weapon (or at least decoy).

http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/60033484/

Basically new year, same Panthers/coaching staff.

[FuaMeOnce]

See, here's the thing.... there were some designed runs in there for Cam yesterday.  I am no football scheming mastermind but it feel like the busted "x" and short opportunities are more a result of poor push by the line and a failure of Cam to recognize/audible if the defense is in a good formation to stop what the panthers want to do.  (i.e. run)

[panthers55]

I also heard on ESPN that Seattle held Newton to a career low in passing yards.  It is all in your perspective.  Shouldn't predictable off tackle plays get you one yard? Was it the 34 yard line of Seattle?  If so then why didn't we kick a field goal instead of punting.  Had to be further back.  I was at the game so I had a different perspective.  Seems much of the criticism is pretty harsh at this point.  Would it have been better if we scored 30 and lost 31 to 30? 

[AceBoogie]

Anybody who watched that game had to feel like we were back in last season again. After Deangelo fumbled everyone knew it was over.

Again the defense needs to stop getting a pass. This team was built to win defensive power struggles. If you have to win the game 7-6 then so be it but an elite defense does just that. No excuse for not getting the ball back for your offense at the end of that game. If your Defense isn't going to win these battles it's time to start getting Cam some damn weapons and let him go out there and win it.

1. Defensive minded coach

2. Defense driven drafts

3. Conservative play style geared again towards defense holding tight.

Yet again the defense couldn't get off the field at the end of the game. This defense is good UNTIL they need to get a stop and they can't get it.

It's time to get Cam some damn weapons and let him fuging play. Unleash fuging Cam I'm sick of this poo man.

Ron Rivera is never going to make Cam Newton a better Quarterback he can't he doesn't know how.

[carpanfan96]

The offense minus the fumble drive and a couple early ones was wildly predictable, tampa chud with a lead and was largly inefficient. It's a major reason the team scored only once in the game.

The 3-1 and 4-1 were from Carolina's side of the field.

[SpeedOFLight]

I would have to admit. A lot of the plays were very predictable. I just looked at the formations and knew what was going to happen.

[AceBoogie]

The offense minus the fumble drive and a couple early ones was wildly predictable, tampa chud with a lead and was largly inefficient. It's a major reason the team scored only once in the game.

The 3-1 and 4-1 were from Carolina's side of the field.

Seattle only scored one touch down as well. The difference is the penalties that gave them opportunities to get those two field goals and their defense made a play when they needed to and ours didn't. No excuse for letting Seattle drive down the field and run the clock out.

All that tells me is even if Deangelo didn't fumble and we scored they would have marched right down the field for the game winning drive.

[Delhommey]

The good news is with a new coaching staff, provided Jerry doesn't demand a yes man, improvement should be almost immediate.

[panthers55]

The offense minus the fumble drive and a couple early ones was wildly predictable, tampa chud with a lead and was largly inefficient. It's a major reason the team scored only once in the game.

The 3-1 and 4-1 were from Carolina's side of the field.

It is easy to tell the difference between a poor scheme and poor execution. Poor scheme results in run plays getting easily stuffed and no receivers open.   What I saw was poor execution, fumbles, dropped passes and poor special teams play.  That had little to do with Shula.  Seattle did not stop us that often, we stopped ourselves. 

[Proudiddy]

I so don't want to accept this is a lost season already, but I think that was decided when they kept Rivera. He is ridiculously in over his head on so many decisions that you take for granted with an average head coach.

[Jackofalltrades]

It is easy to tell the difference between a poor scheme and poor execution. Poor scheme results in run plays getting easily stuffed and no receivers open. What I saw was poor execution, fumbles, dropped passes and poor special teams play. That had little to do with Shula. Seattle did not stop us that often, we stopped ourselves.

Agree completely.

[Delhommey]

I also heard on ESPN that Seattle held Newton to a career low in passing yards. It is all in your perspective. Shouldn't predictable off tackle plays get you one yard? Was it the 34 yard line of Seattle? If so then why didn't we kick a field goal instead of punting. Had to be further back. I was at the game so I had a different perspective. Seems much of the criticism is pretty harsh at this point. Would it have been better if we scored 30 and lost 31 to 30?

So you wonder if we'd rather have the 2011 Rivera or the 2012 version?

[NCstoner420]

I also heard on ESPN that Seattle held Newton to a career low in passing yards.  It is all in your perspective.  Shouldn't predictable off tackle plays get you one yard? Was it the 34 yard line of Seattle?  If so then why didn't we kick a field goal instead of punting.  Had to be further back.  I was at the game so I had a different perspective.  Seems much of the criticism is pretty harsh at this point.  Would it have been better if we scored 30 and lost 31 to 30? 

 

They have it wrong, it was at the Carolina 34

[poorboysrev]

If you had told me before yesterday that Deangelo would have 5 yards a carry, we would hold Lynch under 50 yds, and we'd hold Seattle to 12 points I would 've said we'd win. Stupid penalties and turnovers were the difference. Our running game looked really good(minus the fumble), our oline held up well(run and pass), and Cam made good decisions. Shula just needs to turn Cam loose more and I think we could have something.