Four things we learned about the Carolina Panthers in their 29-21 loss to the Falcons
In a game between two NFC South teams fighting for second place, the Panthers turned the ball over three times and the Atlanta Falcons capitalized enough to win 29-21 Sunday at Bank of America Stadium.
The Panthers repeated similar mistakes that have cost them three straight games and seven of their last 10. Cam Newton lost a fumble and threw an interception, which Atlanta returned for a touchdown. Backup (or relief thrower) P.J. Walker also tossed a pick. Carolina entered Sunday with 20 total giveaways, the fifth-most in the league.
“Like many other games, just kind of self-inflicted wounds,” coach Matt Rhule said. “Not going to win many games, in fact the odds are in the 80s against you, when you have three turnovers.”
The loss drops Carolina to last place in NFC South with four games remaining, including two against Tampa Bay and one versus New Orleans.
Here are four things we learned about the Panthers after another defeat.
1. Catastrophic plays cost Carolina
Both of Newton’s turnovers resulted in Atlanta points. His second-quarter pick-six to linebacker Mykal Walker put Atlanta up seven. Then he fumbled while trying to hand the ball off to running back Chuba Hubbard after twisting feet with center Pat Elflein.
The turnover occurred during the third quarter when Carolina trailed 20-14, ending a promising drive at Atlanta’s 47-yard line. The Falcons scored 10 plays later, increasing their lead to 12. Points off turnovers cost Carolina the game.
“We had such a great momentum for those drives and it was just drive-killers,” Newton said. “It’s game-killers, in essence, because we were driving on both of those turnovers that I had.”
Newton owned his sloppiness with the football, though Elflein shouldn’t be getting pushed back into his quarterback. No center at any level ever should. Still, Newton could’ve fallen down without extending the ball to Hubbard; it was second-and-3. In hindsight, live to play another down.
Turnovers aside, Newton quarterbacked well. He put Carolina in favorable situations, both in protection and handling of the no-huddle offense. Rhule and interim play-caller Jeff Nixon implemented a high-tempo attack that effectively sparked the Panthers. Carolina popped long plays of 23, 22 and 19 yards, all from Newton throws. He completed 15 of 23 passes for 178 yards and rushed for a touchdown.
“Those catastrophic plays unfortunately overshadow a lot of good plays that happened today. I thought Jeff (Nixon) did a nice job,” Rhule said. “I thought the tempo was good. I thought we moved the ball.”
Newton and the Panthers did move the ball, but their mistakes were too costly.
2. The Panthers need their pass rush to win
The Panthers’ defense did not record a sack against the Falcons despite entering Sunday ranked fourth in the league in team sacks. Edge rushers Brian Burns and Haason Reddick each have double-digit sack totals but neither reached Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan.
Burns said Atlanta had a game plan for him that worked.
“I know that Mike Davis or the coach had something to do with Mike Davis coming at my side every time we were in a four-man rush,” Burns said. “He would motion out and then motion back in and pretty much chipped me every time.”
Neutralizing the Panthers’ pass rush helped Atlanta convert 50% of its third-down tries and both fourth-down attempts. On a third-and-14 with 2:51 to play, the Panthers lost track of tight end Kyle Pitts. He ran free underneath, catching a pass and turning upfield for 24 yards. The conversion prevented Carolina from getting the ball back and essentially ended the game.
“They can’t lose Kyle Pitts. It happened but it can’t. It’s our base, Day 1 coverage,” Rhule said. “We had them. He should be caught and tackled. It should be fourth down. We should have the ball back, going down to score.”
As disappointing as the offense was, the Panthers’ pass rush disappeared and Atlanta capitalized on too many critical plays because of it.
3. Players believed in Jeff Nixon’s game plan
In his NFL play-calling debut, Jeff Nixon earned the support of his players. Receiver Robby Anderson said he was over-prepared for Atlanta, crediting Nixon for how he kept his players ready.
“I feel like we were over-prepared, mentally. We had a great game plan. I think he did a great job. Him, all the coaches collectively this week. Personally, I was very prepared with the plays. Understanding the coverage concepts more than I have been.”
That’s high praise from Anderson and it came for good reason. Anderson had a season-high seven catches for 84 yards and a touchdown. His 12 targets were a team-high. Nixon effectively kept Anderson and fellow receiver DJ Moore involved while still running enough for Rhule’s liking.
Carolina carried it 26 times. A total that would have been higher had the Panthers not had three drives end prematurely with turnovers. The Panthers made a concerted effort to play an up-tempo style, which suited Carolina well on their two scoring drives.
“I think that was something that the coaching staff kind of schemed up this week, in being able to attack them as best we could,“ Newton said of the no-huddle offense. “I know Coach Rhule and Coach Nixon wanted pretty much that type of pace before and it’s just our job to go out there and execute.”
None of the turnovers fall on Nixon. Newton and Walker took responsibility for their carelessness after the game. Nixon impressed calling plays for the first time in years (and first time ever at the NFL level) and he earned his players’ trust in the process.
4. It’s time to start thinking about the offseason
The Panthers had less than an 8% chance of making the playoffs before losing to Atlanta. Now their chances are basically zero. Burns said after the game that it’s disappointing the Panthers are likely out of the playoffs but that doesn’t mean they are folding.
Anderson echoed a similar message. Their sentiment is believable but considering the Panthers started 3-0, traded for Stephon Gilmore and signed Newton in attempts to win now, realizing their 2021 playoff window closed must hurt.
No two teams across two seasons are ever the same. Speaking of Gilmore, he may not be back next year. Both he and Reddick are two of 25 pending Panthers free agents.
The Panthers’ future quarterback isn’t on their current roster either and the offensive line needs two or three new starters. Even if Rhule keeps his job, there will be more changes among his staff and front office. In defeat, the Panthers look like a team rebuilding rather than reloading.
