Observations: Browns at Panthers, Second Half

Bill VothNews, Week 161 Comment

Screen Shot 2014-12-21 at 4.06.32 PM

View image | gettyimages.com
  • WR Jerricho Cotchery hasn’t put up big numbers this year, but besides a drop in Cincinnati, he’s been dependable. Great snag he held on to early in the third quarter.
  • Panthers took two timeouts during their first drive in the third. Could come back to haunt them.
  • QB Cam Newton threw a perfect pass that only WR Kelvin Benjamin could catch for the second time in the game, but three plays later, Newton was intercepted on a terrible decision after a scramble.
  • LB Luke Kuechly stopped a Browns’ drive at the Panthers’ 13, getting to scrambling QB Brian Hoyer two yards short of the first-down marker.
  • Five straight runs for Jonathan Stewart at the end of the third. Those totaled 13 yards before the Panthers punted.
  • DE Kony Ealy, who turned 23 Sunday, celebrated by picking up his second sack in as many weeks. Even more impressive – he beat Pro Bowl LT Joe Thomas on the play.
  • The Panthers continued to try to give the game away fumbling twice in two plays. The first was recovered by LT Byron Bell. The second was initially ruled a fumble by WR Philly Brown, but then overturned on replay.
  • The scoreboard operator showed Falcons highlights twice during the second half, much to the delight of the Panthers’ crowd.
  • TE Greg Olsen, who had 10 catches in each of his last two games, finally got on the board with 9:52 left.
  • The Panthers were given an extra challenge when coach Ron Rivera won his second of the day and third in a row on a terrific catch by WR Brenton Bersin.
  • Tremendous job by Newton to keep his eyes up to find open RB Jonathan Stewart for a touchdown. It was the second straight red-zone score for the Panthers.
  • Incredible interception by CB Josh Norman. When he fumbled it back to the Browns on the return, LB Luke Kuechly threw his arms down like a kid who was told ‘no.’ Kuechly later went over to Norman with some encouragement during the review.
  • Referee Ed Hochuli sure got a lot of face time … as usual.
  • DT Kawann Short slipped past two offensive linemen to crush QB Brian Hoyer.
  • Panthers shunned three straight runs for second straight week while in the lead with three minutes left. The 34-yard completion to TE Ed Dickson was his longest catch of the season.
  • The Panthers have a chance to win the NFC South with a season-ending win in Atlanta for the second straight year.
  • sncsurf

    Feel so good for Stewart. He’s played great since he took over . he’s worked hard through the injuries and all the talk about being overpaid. He’s carried this team the last few weeks on offense.