Five things we learned about the Panthers in loss to Washington in Cam Newton’s return
Sunday began beautifully. When Cam Newton emerged from the tunnels of Bank of America Stadium, all of Charlotte roared. Then the Panthers scored on their opening drive, and again in the second quarter.
After his second touchdown, a 24-yard run, Newton raced to midfield and planted the ball on the Panthers’ logo while opening his chest like Superman. It felt like Newton’s homecoming magic would carry Carolina to victory.
However, Washington and quarterback Taylor Heinicke were ready to play spoiler. Washington outscored Carolina by 13 following Newton’s rushing touchdown and retook the lead with 4:18 to play. Down one score, the Panthers squandered two go-ahead possessions to end the game.
Washington (4-6) sacked Newton on a fourth-and-3 with under a minute to play and eventually won 27-21. Here are five things we learned about the Panthers (5-6) following their fourth consecutive home loss.
The defense didn’t play on brand
Carolina’s defense was on a roll entering Sunday’s game. The Panthers were allowing 16 points per game over their previous three contests. Haason Reddick ranked fifth in sacks, and Carolina was holding teams to less than 285 yards per game, second-best in the NFL. Yet Washington and Heinicke executed a rather comfortable game plan. They converted 6 of 13 third downs, rushed 40 times for 190 yards and ran 16 more offensive plays than Carolina.
“We didn’t stop the run. Didn’t get off the field on third down. Didn’t seem like we had great communication at times. Too many mistakes,” Panthers coach Matt Rhule said. “At the end of the half to let them go down and score was really disappointing when we had the lead at the time. Just certainly not our best day defensively.”
The Panthers allowed 369 yards to Heincke’s offense and couldn’t get off the field on several critical downs. Moving the chains helped Washington possess the ball for nearly 36 minutes compared with Carolina’s 24:07 time of possession. Such a discrepancy kept the Panthers offense off the field. Newton had only one third-quarter drive, which went six plays and ended with a punt.
Carolina wasn’t itself. Cornerback Donte Jackson lamented his own play while explaining what went wrong.
“I just want to be the best for my team and be that guy that makes plays in clutch situations,” he said. “I just don’t think I was Action Jackson today. I just think I was number 26.”
The Panthers must improve situationally
When an offense struggles generating explosive plays or converting third downs then it must play exceptionally well situationally. The Panthers were 2 for 9 on third down and popped only three plays of 19 yards or more.
The defense gifted Carolina with two game-winning drive opportunities by holding Washington to field goals late in the fourth quarter. Those chances resulted in one first down on 10 plays and just 32 yards. In those situations, the offense must find a way to prolong drives.
“We have to stay on the field. We cannot go three-and-out,” running back Christian McCaffrey said. “Just staying efficient on first down and then, obviously, third down is big. It allows you to continue to run the ball and continually do it. But we have to convert on third down.”
By the offense short-circuiting and the defense allowing explosive plays, Carolina didn’t practice complementary football. Meanwhile, Washington scored prior to halftime and on its first possession of the third quarter, capitalizing perfectly on the middle eight.
The middle eight is known as the last four minutes of the first half and first four minutes of the second half. By scoring touchdowns on both those drives, Washington completed a 14-point swing without Carolina’s offense ever taking the field.
P.J. Walker wasn’t actually a part of the game plan
All week Rhule said backup quarterback P.J. Walker would relieve Newton at times. Instead, Walker didn’t play a snap.
“We planned on playing P.J. going in, but it seemed like Cam was in control. It seemed like he was moving the football. I think the coaches just decided, hey, he’s hot,” Rhule said. “We thought Cam was playing well so we kept him in there.”
Newton played well in his return to Bank of America Stadium. He threw efficiently, completing 21-of-27 passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns. The brightest moments of the game came via No. 1. He remains electric, which relegated Walker back to his reserve role.
With one game remaining until the bye week, Newton should only grow more comfortable. Walker likely won’t play unless there is an injury. Once again, the Panthers belong fully to Superman.
Stephon Gilmore should play more
A usually stout secondary didn’t have an answer for Washington receiver Terry McLaurin. His explosiveness repeatedly beat Carolina in huge moments. McLaurin had two catches over 30 yards, a 15-yard grab and a 12-yard touchdown.
The Panthers rotate between several corners. McLaurin did his best work against Jackson and A.J. Bouye. Stephon Gilmore, though not on the injury report, remained in mostly a third-down role. The 2019 Defensive Player of the Year is capable of shutting down No. 1 options. He did so two weeks ago against Atlanta tight end Kyle Pitts.
Rhule attributed Gilmore’s limited usage to the team’s plan to slowly bring him back from injury.
“We are trying to work towards that. I don’t know if we are there yet,” Rhule said.
The Panthers have games against Tampa Bay and Buffalo remaining. Both teams feature star wide receivers that present similar issues that McLaurin exploited. The Panthers should expand Gilmore’s role soon. He sounds up for it.
“I am close. I am just working back in there each and every week trying to get more and more reps. I am feeling more and more comfortable every week,” Gilmore said. “I am just trying to listen to coach and listen to the trainers and when I’m out there, be impactful.”
Fans brought the energy to Bank of America Stadium
Panthers fans responded to Newton’s challenge to retake Bank of America Stadium by filling the place with energy and tons of black and blue. It was an electric atmosphere with increased fanfare compared to previous home games against the Eagles or New England.
Newton agreed.
“They upheld their end of the bargain, we just have to do our part. The energy in there was electric. It was good juju in there, but as a team, we have to be better,” Newton said. “I did challenge the fans, the fans came, they saw and they supported.”
Panthers fans haven’t seen a home win since Carolina beat the Saints more than two months ago. With only two remaining home games, the Panthers will have to beat either Atlanta or Tampa Bay to snap their four-game losing streak at Bank of America Stadium.
This story was originally published November 22, 2021 at 6:00 AM.
