Panthers fans react to finally getting to celebrate a win
It’s been a long time, but Carolina Panthers fans finally got to celebrate winning on a Sunday.
The streak is dead.
The Panthers ended a 10-game losing streak Sunday in California, beating the Los Angeles Chargers and rookie quarterback Justin Herbert 21-16. The Panthers had a chance for a much easier win, but had multiple red zone scoring opportunities result in field goals instead of touchdowns.
In the first half, for example, Carolina had drives stop three times inside the Los Angeles 15. Good news? Kicker Joey Slye was 5-for-5 on field goals and the Panthers were able to get their first win since beating the Titans 30-20 on Nov. 3, 2019.
And Carolina got a break late when long snapper JJ Jansen was ruled to have downed a punt at the 1. Jansen fielded the punt with 1 minute 46 seconds left but his momentum forced him into the end zone. He tried to toss the ball back to a teammate, which didn’t work.
Replay said Jansen controlled the ball and gave the Chargers the ball at the 1.
Los Angeles still drove down the field and had a chance to win, but a catch-and-lateral play -- that looked like it would’ve worked -- didn’t quite work out.
After the win, fans celebrated on social media
Of course, everybody wasn’t happy.
3 Quick Observations
▪ The Panthers defense was better Sunday, getting to the quarterback and forcing turnovers after going without a sack in the first two weeks. Carolina, however, struggled to finish. After starting at the 1, the Chargers drove to within scoring range in the final 13 seconds.
▪ Without Christian McCaffrey, scoring points is going to tough for Carolina. That makes those short field red zone opportunities even more important. Involving DJ Moore in the offense more often might help. Moore was almost a decoy Sunday. He caught two passes for 65 yards, which led the team.
▪ Rookie defensive back Jeremy Chinn, a second roud pick, and running back Mike Davis played really well Sunday. Chinn had some big tackles, including one that forced the Chargers to kick a field goal. Davis, starting for Christian McCaffrey, played a solid game. Davis ran 13 times for 46 yards and caught a team-best eight passes for 45 yards and a score.
Panthers get after QB early, force turnover
Remember all the talk about the Carolina Panthers not getting a sack in the first two weeks of the NFL season?
The Panthers are getting some push playing in California against the Chargers early Sunday. Carolina got two sacks in the first quarter. On the second one, linebacker Brian Burns forced a big early turnover for Carolina.
Burns rushed from the left side of the Panthers defense, beat Chargers tackle Bryan Bulaga and hit the arm of Chargers rookie quarterback Justin Herbert just before he attempted a pass.
The play was ruled a fumble and Carolina recovered. The Panthers kicked a field goal a few plays later and lead 6-0 late in the first quarter.
▪ Marquis Haynes also has a first-quarter sack for Carolina.
Panthers get first TD, after penalty
After three field goals, Carolina Panthers running back Mike Davis finally got into the end zone Sunday in California.
The Panthers initially got a 36-yard field goal from Joey Slye, but an illegal formation penalty gave the Panthers a first down at the Chargers’ 13.
On the next play, Teddy Bridgewater threw a 13-yard screen pass to Davis, who dodged some Chargers on his way, and got into the end zone.
Slye’s extra point, however, was blocked.
Carolina leads 15-7 late in the second quarter. Bridgewater is 11-of-15 for 121 yards and a score.
Chargers lose star DB Chris Harris in third quarter
Chargers cornerback Chris Harris left Sunday’s game with the Panthers with an ankle injury.
Harris tackled Panthers running back Mike Davis with 7:08 left in the third quarter, and collided with teammate Linval Joseph. Harris leg was caught under Davis and his right ankle rolled over.
He was helped off the field by trainers and then left for the locker room.
Harris, a 10-year veteran who was undrafted out of Kansas, played the previous nine seasons for the Denver Broncos. He’s a four-time Pro Bowler and signed a two-year deal worth $20 million this season.
Best uniform combo Sunday?
The early part of the Chargers-Panthers game Sunday didn’t bring many great plays, but fans were pumped up about team’s uniform choices.
The Panthers -- whose all-black combo was once voted the best in NFL history -- trotted out in blue shirts and black pants, a rarely used combo. The Chargers have new uniforms this season and wore a version with white tops and bright gold pants.
(And if you ask us, the Chargers have the best-looking uniforms in the league right now).
Social media was buzzing about both team’s looks Sunday.
Crowd Noise Still An Issue
This was the third straight week the NFL has pumped in artificial crowd noise into stadiums.
For the third straight week, NFL fans didn’t seem to like it.
With most stadiums not allowing fans due to the coronavirus pandemic, NFL Films has provided teams with crowd noise it has recorded over the years to use in each stadium.
Watching at home, you hear these team-specific sounds as well as actual sounds from the field.
In the first two weeks, fans fairly overwhelming voiced their displeasure with it on social media. It was too loud. It came at the wrong time, they said.
And after practicing with fake fan noise earlier this month, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan called it “a form of human torture.”
So after two weeks of practice, was it any better in Week 3?
At least judging by reaction on Twitter, it didn’t seem to be.
This story was originally published September 27, 2020 at 7:20 PM.
