Top Five Takeaways
1. The defense has performed its role well. Julius Peppers leads the team with 4.5 sacks, and Luke Kuechly leads the team in total tackles with 34.
2. Running back Christian McCaffrey leads the team in receiving yards with 206 yards on 22 catches. Also, he is ranked third in rushing for the team with 89 yards on 31 attempts.
3. With Greg Olsen being placed on the injured reserve list, Kelvin Benjamin will need to increase his efficiency, as will other receivers in order to pick up the slack.
4. Other injuries, such as Ryan Kalil's, seemed to have a profound effect on the Panthers offensive line. Going forward, the Panthers need to find a long-term replacement considering Kalil is, “without a timetable to return,” according to coaches.
5. Although Cam Newton set a record of being the first quarterback with 50 rushing touchdowns, the running game needs a boost. Jonathan Stewart recently became the all-time leading rusher for the Panthers. However, he has only compiled 230 yards on 59 rushes, placing 15th among other NFL running backs.
Week 1
The Carolina Panthers were predicted to start the season with a win. The team was favored by more than 60 percent. The Panthers were set to play the San Francisco 49ers in front of a sold-out Levi’s Stadium. The first touchdown came early in the first quarter and Carolina would continue to score five more times before the 49ers were able to muster three points to avoid a blowout. Final score: 23-3; Carolina wins.
The win wasn’t as much as a showcase of the Panthers' dominance as it was a test of the waters. Would the defense still be tough and fast in the tackle box? Could Newton return to the MVP caliber play fans saw in 2015?
The Panthers' defense held the 49ers to just 51 rushing yards, 166 passing yards and caused one interception thrown by Brian Hoyer. The defense also added four sacks for a total loss of 27 yards. Defense was a major factor in this win, holding the 49ers offense to 217 total yards from 54 snaps. Carolina’s defense also had the upper-hand on the third down, allowing two conversions on 11 attempts.
However, the offense was not asleep. Newton passed for 171 yards on 14 completions, with an average of 6.8 yards per pass. He also added two touchdowns and an interception mid-way through the second quarter.
Takeaway: The Panther’s defense was in full force. Limited rushing game, defensive third-down efficiency and quarterback pressure limited the 49ers expansion on the scoreboard.
Week 2
Entering Week 2, the Panthers had won the first game and were geared up to host their first home game of the regular season against the undefeated Buffalo Bills. However, that morning Kalil, the team’s starting center, would be ruled out of playing due to neck soreness. Instead, two-year veteran Tyler Larsen would start.
The game would prove to be a defensive battle, with neither offense being able to secure a touchdown. Newton would be sacked six times for a total loss of 50 yards. On the opposing side, Tyrod Taylor would be sacked three times for 18 yards in total, twice by Julius Peppers.
Olsen went down in the first half and it was later revealed that he had broken his ankle and was later seen in a boot.
Carolina’s defense held Buffalo to 176 total offensive yards, allowing only field goals throughout the entire game. On the other hand, Carolina would visit the red-zone three times, in part to Kelvin Benjamin's 77 yards on six catches. However, the Bills only capitalized with field goals, which was a major let down for the offense. Final score: 9-3; Carolina wins.
Takeaway: Injuries hindered the score production. The Panthers' offensive line suffered from Kalil's injury, allowing six sacks. Olsen was undoubtedly one of Newton’s primary targets.
Week 3
Week 3 was a major disappointment for many fans. The Panthers fell to the New Orleans Saints, 34 -13.
The Panthers' sack problem from the week before followed them into Week 3. The offensive line allowed four sacks, totaling in a loss of 28 yards. The defense wasn’t in its usual form. New Orleans was allowed to obtain 362 total yards during this game.
Carolina’s only touchdown for the entire game came from a rush by Newton. Newton also totaled 167 yards through the air, but ran into trouble throwing a total of three interceptions. On the other hand, Drew Brees had a game to remember, throwing 220 yards on 22 of his 29 attempts. Brees also added three touchdowns.
McCaffrey also had an impressive day. He caught nine passes for 101 yards. Although production was not completely absent, Carolina struggled to produce scoring drives. The team settled for field goals on two of its three point-producing drives.
Takeaway: Newton’s three interceptions were a key factor in the loss, along with the offensive line's issues. Defense could not create much quarterback pressure, which gave Brees time to work.
Week 4
Week 4 was Carolina’s first true test of the season. Could the Panthers compete with the NFL elite? Carolina would face Tom Brady and the Patriots in Foxborough, and it proved to be their toughest win so far.
Newton came into Week 4 fresh off a loss to the Saints and ready to kick the Panthers' offense back into gear. Newton completed 22 of his 29 attempts, passing for 316 yards and allowing the Panthers' offense to score two touchdowns throughout the passing game in the fourth quarter. He also added 44 rushing yards and one touchdown on the ground.
Kelvin Benjamin caught four passes for 104 yards in total. Newton also made sure other receivers weren't slept on — four other Carolina receivers obtained three or more catches during this game.
Brady threw for 307 yards with 32 completions, which added two touchdowns to the Patriots' score. However, Brady was sacked three times for 14 yards lost. Newton was sacked only twice for 12 yards in total. Although the Patriots would allocate seven penalties for 55 yards, the score was still tied, 30-30, late in the fourth quarter.
Ultimately, it would be the eight-year veteran kicker Graham Gano sealing the win for the Panthers with a 48-yard field goal with four seconds remaining. Final score: 33-30; Carolina wins.