Vote thumbs up or thumbs down after each group’s analysis
[accordion_item open=”true” title=”PASSING OFFENSE”]Cam Newton was playing with:
- sore ribs and a gimpy ankle
- a suspect offensive line
- a nonexistent run game
- with Jason Avant, Philly Brown and Brenton Bersin as his No. 2-4 receivers
So it’s tough to judge Newton too much in this one. The offensive line most critics were expecting this offseason showed up, and it seemed like Newton was sacked more than three times. He played his second straight game without throwing an interception (24/35, 250 yds, TD), and he got Brown involved early and often. The undrafted rookie had a breakout game — as a receiver — with 7 receptions for 66 yards. Kelvin Benjamin added 115 yards on 8 catches, plus another “WOW” touchdown from Derek Anderson, who mopped up in the fourth quarter in an effort to let Newton get out alive.
[accordion_item open=”true” title=”RUSHING OFFENSE”]DeAngelo Williams missed his second straight game with a hamstring injury, and perhaps the 31-year-old is still highly important to this offense. The Steelers had given up an average of 170 rushing yards their first two games, yet the Panthers managed 42. Jonathan Stewart left with a knee contusion in the third quarter while Mike Tolbert limped off in the fourth quarter. If you’re interested in trying out at running back …
[accordion_item open=”true” title=”PASS DEFENSE”]In their second game without Greg Hardy, the Panthers sacked Ben Roethlisberger once. That was by Mario Addison in the first quarter. The Steelers quarterback ended up with a clean line of 22/30 for 196 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Both scores went to Antonio Brown, who torched the defense for 10 receptions and 90 yards. The Panthers also had a few killer penalties in coverage. [accordion_item open=”true” title=”RUSH DEFENSE”]The Panthers had allowed an 100-yard rusher just once in their last 22 games (Buffalo’s C.J. Spiller, 9/15/13). La’Veon Bell is now the second in 23. The second-year back ran free for 147 yards on 21 carries, which included an 81-yard gain — the longest rush the Panthers have ever given up. Oh, and LaGarette Blount is now the third in 23 games. He went for 118 yards on 10 carries. His long was 50 yards, and he also had a touchdown. [accordion_item open=”true” title=”SPECIAL TEAMS”]Graham Gano was 2-for-2 on field goal attempts, while Brad Nortman booted a 65-yard punt and added one that landed inside the 5-yard line. Those two were pretty much the Panthers’ MVPs, which obviously says a lot about the kind of night it was. Philly Brown, who looked so good as a receiver, made his first major mistake as a returner, botching a punt that ended up as a Steelers touchdown in the fourth quarter. Wes Horton and Josh Norman both jumped offsides on a third-quarter field goal attempt, and the Steelers took advantage by turning the penalty into a touchdown. [accordion_item open=”true” title=”COACHING”]Head coach Ron Rivera deserves credit for winning with so much going against the Panthers in Weeks 1 and 2, but his team was not ready for primetime. Offensive coordinator Mike Shula came out with a solid first drive, but unless he can figure out how to get a run game going with a line that can’t run block and a backfield that’s injured, the offense is going to continue to struggle. Defensive coordinator Sean McDermott didn’t have a solution to stop Roethlisberger’s short passes or for a Steelers run game that embarrassed the previously proud Panthers’ rush defense. [/accordion]
BlackBlueReview thumbs up Benjamin and philly minus the fumble down Rivera and entire D
BlackBlueReview thumbs up Benjamin and philly minus the fumble down Rivera and entire D
BlackBlueReview just wish fans would be real fans – it was really bad but alas 2-1 … With blood and guys coming lol
BlackBlueReview just wish fans would be real fans – it was really bad but alas 2-1 … With blood and guys coming lol
BlackBlueReview guts*
BlackBlueReview guts*
alfitzpatrick07 i dig you cause you’re way too reasonable for twitter
alfitzpatrick07 i dig you cause you’re way too reasonable for twitter
Every offense starts with the o-line. Yeah I got fooled after those first two games because I had been talking junk about the o-line all offseason and then they played well those first two games. Well… Like this said, they are who we thought they were… There’s nothing Gettleman can do about that right now, but it’s going to be a long season if that keeps up.
Every offense starts with the o-line. Yeah I got fooled after those first two games because I had been talking junk about the o-line all offseason and then they played well those first two games. Well… Like this said, they are who we thought they were… There’s nothing Gettleman can do about that right now, but it’s going to be a long season if that keeps up.