BY Cory Spiers
coryspiers@gmail.com
If we wake up tomorrow morning and the Panthers are 2-0, here are some things that probably happened.
Carolina plays its home opener today against former defensive coordinator turned head coach Sean McDermott and his Buffalo Bills.
In addition to McDermott, it's a homecoming for former Panthers quarterback Joe Webb and fullback Mike Tolbert, but plenty has been written about that over the past week.
Let's cut to the chase-- if Carolina is to win today, I predict the following happens. Conversely, if they don't win, these probably didn't happen.
1. LeSean McCoy was bottled up
LeSean McCoy is a very capable running back and he ran well in Buffalo's Week 1 victory over the Jets.
McCoy ran 22 times for 110 and caught five passes for 49 yards.
Things will not be as easy against a fierce Carolina front-seven.
Early in last week's road opener against the 49ers, it looked as if San Francisco running back Carlos Hyde would break out for a rare big day against the Panthers defense. He finished with 45 yards and was the team's leading rusher.
Carolina's traditional brand of football completely revolves around stopping the run and running the ball well themselves (more on that later).
If McCoy is held in check, it forces the Bills to utilize weapons in the passing game. Based on their roster makeup, I like that.
2. Cam played smart
Notice I didn't say Cam Newton threw for 400 yards. Because he simply doesn't have to.
There's no doubt Newton was a bit rusty against the 49ers-- his first live action in a meaningful game since his March shoulder surgery.
Despite a few overthrows and some near-picks, he threw for 175 and a pair of scores. He could have-- and probably should have-- had way more.
Still, it was enough to win. And as Newton works back to putting the recovery process completely behind him, I expect things to be similar.
Newton doesn't need to chuck the ball 50 yards down the field every time he drops back, in fact, it's probably better that he doesn't.
The offense seems to be evolving more toward being a slow burn rather than the string of violent flickers it was in 2015. That's fine.
Limiting turnovers and utilizing his check down options will be key for Newton once again. He tends to play well at home and if he keeps it short and effective, it'll go a long way.
3. Special teams was special
Knowing McDermott like I do, I expect things to be tough for Carolina offensively in this game.
With that said, it wouldn't shock me if it was a low scoring game. After all, Carolina's defense looks quite good on paper this year and started the season by allowing just three points at San Fran.
In a game where both clubs seem pretty evenly matched and points may well be at a premium, special teams matters.
I heard rumblings that rookie Curtis Samuel may get some kickoff return chances and I suppose we'll continue to see rookie Christian McCaffrey back on punt returns.
Both of those young men will be vying for valuable yards.
Of course, the onus also extends to kicker Graham Gano and punter Michael Palardy.
Gano can't afford misses. Not in games like these. Palardy has been solid and flipping the field position will be key today.
All four of the aforementioned guys will need to play well.
4. McCaffrey made a statement
McCaffrey didn't have a bad regular season debut against the 49ers, but it also wasn't sterling.
One thing we did find out was that the team intends to use their shiny, new toy.
The former Stanford standout ran 13 times for 47 yards and grabbed five passes for 38 yards.
He did have a bad fumble later in the game, but it was at a point when the team was in cruise control toward win town anyway.
I think it goes without saying that we haven't seen McCaffrey fully unleashed yet. Perhaps the home opener is the day he starts to really build his legacy.
5. The running game as a whole was potent
More running? Yeah, it's going to be important.
It's the Panther M.O and it will be important again today. Carolina's offensive line had a stellar debut and if they pave the way for 125+ rushing yards, Carolina probably wins.
Veteran Jonathon Stewart ran hard last week and led the team with 65 yards.
Carolina's all-time record is very good when they rush for more than 100 yards. We saw last week what a reliable ground game can when the team salted away more than eight minutes in the final quarter to keep San Francisco's offense off the field.
That was with a 20-point lead. I bet things will be closer today thus, it will be far more important.
coryspiers@gmail.com
If we wake up tomorrow morning and the Panthers are 2-0, here are some things that probably happened.
Carolina plays its home opener today against former defensive coordinator turned head coach Sean McDermott and his Buffalo Bills.
In addition to McDermott, it's a homecoming for former Panthers quarterback Joe Webb and fullback Mike Tolbert, but plenty has been written about that over the past week.
Let's cut to the chase-- if Carolina is to win today, I predict the following happens. Conversely, if they don't win, these probably didn't happen.
1. LeSean McCoy was bottled up
LeSean McCoy is a very capable running back and he ran well in Buffalo's Week 1 victory over the Jets.
McCoy ran 22 times for 110 and caught five passes for 49 yards.
Things will not be as easy against a fierce Carolina front-seven.
Early in last week's road opener against the 49ers, it looked as if San Francisco running back Carlos Hyde would break out for a rare big day against the Panthers defense. He finished with 45 yards and was the team's leading rusher.
Carolina's traditional brand of football completely revolves around stopping the run and running the ball well themselves (more on that later).
If McCoy is held in check, it forces the Bills to utilize weapons in the passing game. Based on their roster makeup, I like that.
2. Cam played smart
Notice I didn't say Cam Newton threw for 400 yards. Because he simply doesn't have to.
There's no doubt Newton was a bit rusty against the 49ers-- his first live action in a meaningful game since his March shoulder surgery.
Despite a few overthrows and some near-picks, he threw for 175 and a pair of scores. He could have-- and probably should have-- had way more.
Still, it was enough to win. And as Newton works back to putting the recovery process completely behind him, I expect things to be similar.
Newton doesn't need to chuck the ball 50 yards down the field every time he drops back, in fact, it's probably better that he doesn't.
The offense seems to be evolving more toward being a slow burn rather than the string of violent flickers it was in 2015. That's fine.
Limiting turnovers and utilizing his check down options will be key for Newton once again. He tends to play well at home and if he keeps it short and effective, it'll go a long way.
3. Special teams was special
Knowing McDermott like I do, I expect things to be tough for Carolina offensively in this game.
With that said, it wouldn't shock me if it was a low scoring game. After all, Carolina's defense looks quite good on paper this year and started the season by allowing just three points at San Fran.
In a game where both clubs seem pretty evenly matched and points may well be at a premium, special teams matters.
I heard rumblings that rookie Curtis Samuel may get some kickoff return chances and I suppose we'll continue to see rookie Christian McCaffrey back on punt returns.
Both of those young men will be vying for valuable yards.
Of course, the onus also extends to kicker Graham Gano and punter Michael Palardy.
Gano can't afford misses. Not in games like these. Palardy has been solid and flipping the field position will be key today.
All four of the aforementioned guys will need to play well.
4. McCaffrey made a statement
McCaffrey didn't have a bad regular season debut against the 49ers, but it also wasn't sterling.
One thing we did find out was that the team intends to use their shiny, new toy.
The former Stanford standout ran 13 times for 47 yards and grabbed five passes for 38 yards.
He did have a bad fumble later in the game, but it was at a point when the team was in cruise control toward win town anyway.
I think it goes without saying that we haven't seen McCaffrey fully unleashed yet. Perhaps the home opener is the day he starts to really build his legacy.
5. The running game as a whole was potent
More running? Yeah, it's going to be important.
It's the Panther M.O and it will be important again today. Carolina's offensive line had a stellar debut and if they pave the way for 125+ rushing yards, Carolina probably wins.
Veteran Jonathon Stewart ran hard last week and led the team with 65 yards.
Carolina's all-time record is very good when they rush for more than 100 yards. We saw last week what a reliable ground game can when the team salted away more than eight minutes in the final quarter to keep San Francisco's offense off the field.
That was with a 20-point lead. I bet things will be closer today thus, it will be far more important.
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