The Carolina Panthers are in an 0-2 hole after falling at home to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 20-14. Thursday night games are often sloppy, and this one was no exception.
Here are eight takeaways from a debilitating loss for the Panthers.
Norv Turner’s offense is not clicking
Turner had a strong 2018 campaign, but things don’t seem to be clicking this year as well for the offensive coordinator. He has made some sharp calls here and there. However, there is no sense of rhythm or structure. Turner’s scheme seems predictable, and his instincts are off. Cam Newton certainly could have played better. Turner was the true problem tonight, though. He got completely outmatched by Todd Bowles and didn’t make the necessary adjustments. A too-clever-by-half call at the goal line at the end finished what little chance Turner gave his team to win tonight.
The defense did its job
With a few exceptions, the defense was generally on point in this one. It seems Ron Rivera will be using a true hybrid defense that will change from game to game and snap to snap depending on the situation. Luke Kuechly was only the most visible example of some outstanding play on defense. Overall, the unit performed well and did everything one could expect. Despite a relatively strong outing from Jameis Winston, they held Tampa to just 20 points and 289 total yards.
Cam Newton got outplayed by Jameis Winston
Aside from a 44-yard bomb to Curtis Samuel early on, this was another rough game for Newton. For the second straight week, Newton was too inaccurate passing and too hesitant to run. He also coughed up a fumble late in the third quarter that could have been devastating and nearly threw several interceptions. Cam ended the game 25 of 51 for 333 yards, no touchdowns, no picks (somehow) and a 70.1 passer rating.
On the other side, Winston was far better than last week against the 49ers. He averaged an efficient 8.3 yards per pass and posted a passer rating of 103.4. Winston’s progress was apparent from working with Bruce Arians. If Arians can get Winston to play at this level consistently, the Bucs are going to be a tough out, leaving no easy games in the NFC South.
Luke Kuechly was all over the place
Kuechly has had so many tremendous games that it’s hard to come up with new descriptors for his performances. He was making plays all over the field tonight, collecting nine tackles before halftime. He finished the game with a ludicrous 17 combined tackles and forced a safety. If not for Kuechly’s efforts, this one would have been a blowout for the Bucs.
Greg Little needs to replace Daryl Williams at left tackle
One reason Carolina’s offense had a hard time getting off the ground was atrocious pass protection at left tackle by Williams. Newton was continually hit, pressured and harassed from his left flank because Williams simply couldn’t keep up with Tampa’s edge rushers. If Little isn’t in the starting lineup next week, it will qualify as football malpractice.
Donte Jackson got burned
From the first play from scrimmage, it was clear Tampa had pinpointed second-year cornerback Jackson as the weak link in Carolina’s defense. Winston targeted Jackson consistently and had a lot of success. Jackson surrendered several big plays in coverage, including a critical touchdown to Chris Godwin late in the first half. Jackson also totally whiffed on a couple of tackles.
Christian McCaffrey was shut down
The first drive of the game for the Panthers was promising for McCaffrey, who ran well and might have scored if he’d been able to stay inbounds on his one catch. After that, the Bucs put the clamps down and were able to contain him the rest of the game. McCaffrey only managed 53 total yards from scrimmage and averaged just 2.3 yards per rush. Credit Tampa’s defense, here. There just wasn’t anywhere for CMC to run.
The Panthers might need a new punt returner
Terry Godwin was supposed to be the team’s punt returner after getting picked in the seventh round of the draft. He was a surprise cut, though, and he’s been replaced by Ray-Ray McCloud, who muffed his first two punt returns. Even though he posted a 39-yard return on his third attempt, later in the game Chris Hogan came in to replace McCloud at punt returner. McCloud might have more burst, but Hogan’s sure hands could secure him the job long-term.
