Sunday, January 11, 2015

5 reasons Panthers lost to Seattle



SEATTLE -- Here is a quick take on 5 of the biggest reasons Carolina lost 31-17 to Seattle Saturday night:

1) Turnovers. Seattle had zero. Carolina had three -- all charged to quarterback Cam Newton. Newton's turnovers were the worst part of this, certainly, but the Panthers' defense really needed to come up with at least one big play on this night, and it did not.

2) The young secondary got exposed. Tre Boston allowed a 16-yard TD pass. Bene Benwikere allowed a 63-yarder. On both plays, the rookies simply lost sight of the ball and were taken advantage of by Seattle's Russell Wilson, who was the best player in this game.

3) Luke Willson. Seattle's young tight end is overshadowed by the quarterback who shares his surname (except for that extra 'L'), but the Panthers couldn't cover him all day. He was targeted four times, caught all four and gained 68 yards with one TD. His numbers were better than Carolina Pro Bowl tight end Greg Olsen (4-58, no TDs). Willson must love the Panthers -- he scored the game's only TD in October in the final minute to beat Carolina, 13-9.

4) Kam Chancellor. Seattle's star safety was all over the field. He nearly blocked a Carolina kick -- twice! -- by jumping entirely over the Panthers' line. And although that ploy didn't work, he later baited Newton and got a 90-yard pick six for his trouble that clinched the game.

5) Talent differential. Look, Carolina doesn't have as many good players as Seattle does. That's just a fact. When you are asking Philly Brown to make a play on a deep ball against Richard Sherman, or you are asking Colin Jones to figure out how to not allow Wilson to complete a pass -- that's just a mismatch. There were too many of them on the field, and eventually Seattle was bound to exploit a number of them.

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

So now! How does Rivera convince his team that they have their QB to win a Super Bowl? He makes way too many mistakes. He's been in 4 years and still playing like a rookie. He looks like he's heading in the same direction Jay Cutler is. Who is a coach killer, and about to get signed a big extension, why? I don't know. It just seems like they can find a QB that doesn't make mistakes like he does. Cam should have been showing flashes of a big upside by now. He's got the popularity but, his playing is not good enough and can get Rivera fired. Wilson is just way better. Time to go find a QB that doesn't make mistakes!

Anonymous said...

#6. Play calling. When Cam threw the pick to Cam, a running play would have been better than throwing a slant, even one with Cam running it himself . The Panthers were driving primarily using running plays, but then decided they would pass. Bad decision.
#7. replace the punt returner. He was still fighting his demons from the last game and had no confidence.

Anonymous said...

6. Cam Newton's athleticism makes him believe he is capable of anything, Until he learns to contain his ego (and I do not mean that negatively) he will continue to make the same errors in judgment.

rick truesdale said...

Another one that screamed out to me... we had success running the ball. We eventually moved away from that and focused on the passing game. Big mistake and that is when the tide started to turn. We need to run run run!!!

Truth said...

You are a coward for not telling the truth. Cam is the reason we lost. Period.

Anonymous said...

You barely touched on the elephant in the room: the biggest reason why the Panthers lost last night is Cam Newton. It's his 4th year in the league, and though he looked very accurate for parts of the game last night, somewhere Jake Delhomme is taking hope in the possibility that "The Jake" becomes "The Cam" given Newton's penchant for making the exact wrong play at the exact wrong time.

If I pointed out that Carolina would be just as well off with Jay Cutler behind center, many Panthers' fans would clutch their pearls, but Newton's BEST season approximates Cutler in 2014; this year, Newton was an inferior QB to such future HOFers as Mark Sanchez, Kyle Orton, and Shaun Hill. In fact, Newton's play was closer to Geno Smith than Jay Cutler.

20 years on, we still suffer from one of the most delusional fan bases in football; the Delhomme apologists have morphed into Cam apologists. "Well he may not be elite, but he's still a good quarterback;" "Cam just needs more time;" "He was just banged up this year;" etc ad nauseam.

Carolina has a 4th year starter who ranked as one of the worst QBs in the league against the statistically 2nd worst conference in the history of the NFL. You don't want to be reactionary and blow up the team every few years, but Carolina needs to figure out when it wants to replace Cam and adjust to reality.

Anonymous said...

Newton is just good enough to keep around as a starter but not good enough to ever win you a super bowl. His fundamentals are not good enough to win two or three playoff games and win the Super Bowl. Look at the QB's still left in the hunt: Wison, Aaron Rodgers, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Andrew Luck, and Tony Romo (who is having a good season). Romo, Rodgers, Manning and Brady are numbers 1 through 4 on ESPN's total QB rating list. Cam is number 16.

Anonymous said...

Seattle had more points

Anonymous said...

Speed and depth was the biggest difference. Can you say Re PETE

Anonymous said...

Newton is not an elite QB. He is a good QB. Sadly, there is not a better option in the draft or free agency. We will toil for the next decade as a good team that will not get over the hump unless Newton gets better. Being good is better than the alternative. But no need to have sky high expectation. They are what we thought they were.

Anonymous said...

Scott- there is a talent differential. But Philly Brown and Colin Jones are not good examples. They are two of their better players who will improve. But Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas are way better than Tre Boston and Roman Harper. And Russell Okung is way better than Byron Bell.

Anonymous said...

The biggest reason that Carolina lost to Seattle was... drumroll please...

THEY SCORED LESS POINTS THAN SEATTLE!

Gooooo sportsball!

Anonymous said...

Dear Panthers Fans

Before you go away from the 2014/15 season in high hopes, let me make just a couple of observations.

1. You made the playoffs with a losing record

2. The only reason you even made the playoffs was due to the terrible NFC South Group you’re in

3. Of your 7 wins, only one was over a winning team (Detroit)

4. Six of your seven wins were over teams with a losing record (29 wins – 62 looses)

5. Your seven wins were over teams with a combined 36 % Won - Lost record

6. Your home game was against the weakest team who made the playoffs

7. You face the Cardinals 4th string quarterback who was net even with the Cardinals at mid season

Anonymous said...

The main problem with the Panthers offense is the arrogance and conceited attitude of Newton.He has never learned to take reponsibility for his mistakes.Other "franchise" quarterbacks will step up and take responsibility for their mistakes in victory or defeat.Not Newton sure he available to pound his chest in victory but after a performance in Seattle where he was nowhere to be seen but hiding like a pouting baby.This team will never advance under his "leadership" until he grows up acts like a man and becomes a true leader.Newton also needs to realize not he's not God's gift to the NFL.




Anonymous said...

The Panthers should have made an effort to bring Chudzinski back as OC when he got fired in Cleveland even if it meant losing Shula. Shula's offenses have not been nearly as dynamic as those under Chud and Cam's development has regressed. I think Chud is a special consultant for Detroit(?), so he is available.

Anonymous said...

Next season Cam I believe will get benched. Who will they get is the question? Joe Webb or Derek Anderson would be better than Cam until they find one, and may already have one on the roster Joe Webb.

Anonymous said...

The BIG problem:

Cam Newton is an incredible athlete but a poor thinker. Its a shame for Charlotte that his athleticism overshadows the major flaw.

He lacks something that he is not going to get, the ability to think methodically and avoid mental errors under pressure. No team will make it through the playoffs with him.

j.k.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous must have lost a lot of money on the game. It only football. There will be another season.

Kenneth said...

Cam Newton is an elite NFL quarterback if his accuracy never improves. After the first tier regulars of Brady, Rodgers, Drew Breeze, etc he is in that next wave that ranks between 6 and 12. There are teams with real weapons, and not an undrafted Philly Brown as their only speed receiver that would love to have Cam. Be careful what you ask for. It will be impossible to get a better quarterback to replace Cam. Which top 5 quarterback would be willing to come here and play behind 2 or three undrafted offensive linemen?

Anonymous said...

Young team with large upside. Simply, keep Cam and find another wide out and upgrade the OL. Focus on improving special teams and develop and add to secondary. Go Panthers.

Unknown said...

You lost because you played a better team. The positives are that you played really well. You looked like you could have kicked Denver's butt which is saying something.
A really good running back and some receivers that have the magic touch and the Panthers are good enough to make the playoffs every year.
This is from a Seattle fan that was at the game.

championships carolina said...

Go Panthers, Cam Newton will win Super Bowls, Keep building Keep Pounding. People hated Jesus, so let them hate, Panther Nation we move on and prepare for our future, our future is Cam Newton. It took MJ 8 years to win his first. Panther nation our future is very bright. Lets get ready to be the first to three repeat as NFC South Champions and home field advantage. God Bless The Carolina Panthers.

Anonymous said...

Time for Rivera to bring in some coaches who will challenge players more, keeping them from being so timid and play like they know, that they know, that they know! Cam needs to find out if he wants to be top or just be popular, cool and sale jerseys. That will only go but so far. When will we sing a new song on this page? Carolina always find those QBs who makes too many mistakes. Does anyone have a new title? this one's getting real old!

how to write a resume said...

Carolina could have won the game if you take away the 21 points the panthers gave from seattles 31 points. 17 10 panthers could of won..

Anonymous said...

to all the people who think Cam should be replaced...BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR!!! know why Tampa Bay is picking first overall?? Quarterback...know why the Titans got the 2nd pick?? quarterback......Cam isn't elite, that's true, but he's not Cutler. Cutler is MUCH more turnover prone and he has TWO stud WRs and a pass catching TE. Cam has 2 rookie WRs, tell me, who's got the better weapons, Cam or Jay?? i prefer Cam by a LARGE margin and i think Cam can be developed into a great QB.