A half-dozen notes from the Carolina Panthers’ 46-27 win over the San Francisco 49ers.
1.) Benjamin’s Big Return
Pretty much every Panther who talked postgame was asked about the 7-catch, 108-yard, 2-touchdown performance by wideout Kelvin Benjamin, who admitted he was “kind of nervous” at the start of his first home game since the 2014 playoffs.
Perhaps the best quote came from who else — tight end Greg Olsen:
“He’s worked really hard. Fighting through the preseason when he wasn’t feeling really perfect, but he showed today that he was a special guy. Those passes he catches across the middle — I don’t think the DBs want to hit him. I think they sometimes end up on the wrong side of those collisions a lot. He adds a different dimension. He’s obviously extremely talented, he works hard, he wants to do things the right way, and I just told him I’m proud of him.”
2.) Health Watch
The Panthers had a number of guys nicked up: guard Trai Turner (ankle), right tackle Mike Remmers (shoulder), CB Robert McClain (shoulder). But the most concerning injury coming out of Sunday involved running back Jonathan Stewart, who left with a hamstring injury after just five carries.
While Fozzy Whittaker filled in with his first 100-yard rushing game since high school, Cameron Artis-Payne could be in the lead back role as soon as next Sunday against the Vikings.
“If Jonathan’s (injury) is prolonged,” coach Ron Rivera said, “then we certainly will get an opportunity to see Cameron Artis-Payne out there which I’m pretty excited about because he is a heck of a young football player.
“We have been trying to find ways to get the young man active, and because of what we have to do on special teams and all that, we haven’t had the chance to put him active. I have no qualms with having him ready to roll.”
3.) The Ted Ginn Jr. Roller Coaster
Because of the NFL’s new touchback rule, the 49ers went short on all six of their kickoffs. The strategy worked well on their first three kickoffs, which pinned the Panthers at their 9-, 20- and 22-yard line.
The fourth REALLY worked well when Ted Ginn Jr. muffed the return, setting San Francisco up at the Panthers’ 1-yard line.
“It was one of those that was kind of halfway in between and I think he was expecting the odd man to get the ball,” Rivera said. “That’s something we will get worked out. I’ll make sure we will get that corrected. If we can get that ball in 19’s hands and block, he is explosive, and he showed you his ability.”
Yeah, the 49ers’ final two short kicks didn’t work out as well. Ginn took those 59 and 24 yards.
“We couldn’t hang our head. I came back and made the next play,” he said. “That’s all it is about is the next play.”
4.) More Than Meets the Eye
Rookie cornerback James Bradberry took blame for the 49ers’ first touchdown — a 28-yard pass from quarterback Blaine Gabbert to receiver Torrey Smith. But that’s not how Rivera saw it.
“James Bradberry’s touchdown wasn’t all his fault. We should have had a guy that should have been in the post there to help him,” said Rivera, referring to safety Tre Boston. “He wasn’t. He bit on the underneath, and he can’t do that because that is exactly what is going to happen.”
5.) Offense’s Oops
The Panthers’ 46 points and 529 yards were each their third-highest totals in the regular season. Imagine if they hadn’t turned it over four times.
“We’re firing off from all cylinders, and it’s fun to be a part of, and I know it’s fun to watch,” said quarterback Cam Newton, who totaled 390 yards and four touchdowns with an interception and a fumble.
“But we just can’t keep allowing ourselves to go on those lulls and having those brain farts. It felt like a couple times early on, we just felt as if one person was taking turns messing up. This play was me, next play was that person, next play was this person. He was supposed to be right here but he wasn’t. You don’t have good production with that. When we just settle down and honed into our responsibility, everything took care of itself.”
6.) Taking a Knee
All of the Panthers continued to stand for the National Anthem.
On the 49ers’ sideline, quarterback Colin Kaepernick continued to take a knee, and this time, he was joined by safety Jaquiski Tartt.
“It’s something I’ve been wanting to do and I finally did it this week. I feel like I would be turning my back on my family if I didn’t,” Tartt said. “I feel like Kaepernick is doing a good thing and if you look at it, you have people fighting and doing a lot for this country and at the end of the day, they’re fighting for freedom, equality, and justice. I feel like that’s something we haven’t been getting.”
Added Kaepernick:
“People want to have the opportunity to live an equal and just life. That’s ultimately what they are supporting. To me, it was great to see that.”