NFCCG WIN vs. Arizona Cardinals: Stats, Analysis, Quotes, Tweets...

[KB_fan]

Incredible Win!!!!!!  Never saw that blowout coming.  Our biggest win (point total) in the biggest game of the season to date.  And HOW INCREDIBLE to be at home at BoA.  What a moment.

JR pounding the drum.  TD holding up the Halas trophy in his non-broken left arm.... the confetti.  Images that will stay in my mind & heart for a long long time!!!

I travel back to Africa tomorrow, so I will be rooting on the Panthers from about 8,000 miles away in two weeks, but thrilled to have had at least a few weeks in Charlotte for the end of the season and the two playoff games...

Probably not a lot of time in the next few days to do much data entry / number crunching / charts, but I do have a bit of time today and will try to post some stats, tweets, article excerpts, etc. that captures this INCREDIBLE win by the Panthers.

[KB_fan]

Gotta start this thread with a quote from the NFL.com championship roundup article (10 things we learned...)

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000628000/article/10-things-we-learned-from-championship-sunday?campaign=tw-nf-sf19584024-sf19584024
 

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Carolina was the most dominant team throughout the regular season, earning the No. 1 seed in the final week of the season. They got out to a quick 17-0 first quarter lead on Sunday and the Cardinals never recovered. It was a day-long celebration in Charlotte, a fitting capper to what has felt like a season-long celebration of all things Cam Newton at home this year. The best player on the best team is going to the biggest game.

It's up to the Broncos to prevent Super Bowl 50 from feeling like a coronation.

 

Yup!  They finally get it......!!!!!

[KB_fan]

I can't get over how special it was for Charlotte to host the NFCCG (and have to do it following a massive East Coast blizzard...!) and to get this win at home.   How different it would have been to have the Halas trophy presented in the locker room without the crowd, the M-V-P chants, the confetti.....

So, that's a stat that really mattered.  Home field advantage.  Lucky 13!  With last night's win, we now have 13 straight home game wins (including playoff games), dating back to week 15 of 2014 (19-17 win against Tampa, Dec 14, 2014).  BoA is becoming a place other teams will fear!

[KB_fan]

Bill Voth's stats & superlatives are just so great.  I love that he compiles these just about every week.

http://blackandbluereview.com/nfc-championship-stats-and-superlatives/

Here's a small excerpt.... there's SO MUCH MORE!

 

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THE PANTHERS

Set a record for most points scored (49) in the NFC Championship. The previous mark was 41 by the 1991 Redskins and 2000 Giants.

Scored the second-most points in franchise history. The only time they’ve scored more was during a 52-31 win over Cincinnati on 12/8/02.

Scored more than 30 points for the eighth time in their past nine games. The Cardinals had held opponents to 20 points or less in six of their last seven games.

Have outscored their past six opponents in the first half, 135-17.

Scored touchdowns on three of their four trips into the red zone a week after they went 3-for-3 against Seattle.

Extended their streak of games with 100-plus rushing yards to 31 (including playoffs). It’s the longest such streak since the 1974-1976 Steelers (37).

Extended their NFL-best home win streak to 13 games.

Are one win away from becoming the first team to go undefeated at home, earn home-field advantage throughout the playoffs and win the Super Bowl since the 2003 Patriots.

 

Some of the things I still find so surprising / notable.

Our HUGE improvement in getting off to fast starts.  Early in the season we were struggling to score in the 1st quarter... it wasn't until week 7 against Philly that we scored a 1st Q OFFENSIVE touchdown!!!!   And yesterday 17 points in 1st Q - scoring on our 1st 3 possessions.  And last week, scoring on our 1st 4 possessions.  JUST AMAZING.   I hope to be able to update my "offense by quarters" tables, and also my drive chart summary tables to show just how incredible our offensive turnaround - in terms of fast starts - has been late in the season.

Also, what an improvement in our Red Zone scoring this season.  WOW.  Again, that's something worthy of focusing on because it had been such a cause for concern last year.  How we turned that stat around is amazing.

[KB_fan]

I didn't see anyone tweet or comment about it (yet), but with his rushing and passing TDs yesterday, Cam broke Steve Young's record for most games with passing & rushing TDs, and for most rushing TDs by a QB.  He'd tied Young in our win against Tampa in week 17.

Here were the stats & superlatives from week 17:

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Cam Newton

• Scored two rushing touchdowns, upping his career total to 43. Newton is now tied with Hall of Famer Steve Young for most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback since 1970. Young scored his 43 in 169 games. Newton has played just 78.

• Threw and ran for a touchdown in the same game for the 31st time in his career. That ties him with Young for most in NFL history.

 

So.... Cam now has 45 rushing TDs in 80 games.  And he threw & ran for a TD in 32 games.

 

UPDATE:  I thought that both of these records were career stats and that post-season games would count, but looks like that might not be the case.  Oh well....

[KB_fan]

One other nugget from BBR's stats & superlatives caught my eye:
 

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The Panthers....

Are one win away from becoming the first team to go undefeated at home, earn home-field advantage throughout the playoffs and win the Super Bowl since the 2003 Patriots.

 

I admit I like many wanted a Superbowl rematch with the Patriots this year to avenge our loss to them following the 2003 season.

At least this Panthers team has a chance to equal their dominance....

[dugbug]

10 minutes ago, KB_fan said:

I didn't see anyone tweet or comment about it (yet), but with his rushing and passing TDs yesterday, Cam broke Steve Young's record for most games with passing & rushing TDs, and for most rushing TDs by a QB.  He'd tied Young in our win against Tampa in week 17.

Here were the stats & superlatives from week 17:

So.... Cam now has 45 rushing TDs in 80 games.  And he threw & ran for a TD in 32 games.

isn't that a regular season record though?  He will get it next year of course

[KB_fan]

More from NFL.com's game analysis...  They really get it.  This is not JUST about Cam (though it IS about him...).  They note how strong the Panthers are top to bottom and give our Oline some love!

 

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This was billed as a matchup of the best two teams in the NFL all season, but this was a one-sided affair that showed the depth of the entire Panthers' roster. Carolina's offensive line dominated. Cam Newton made anyone that made a case for Carson Palmer to win MVP look foolish. Ted Ginn, Corey Brown, and Greg Olsen all made big catches. The secondary held up despite injuries, and the Panthers' pass rush forced decisive mistakes. Luke Kuechly added a defensive touchdown.  Cam deserves all the credit for his dominant performance and season. But this Panthers squad has been special from top to bottom. We're just annoyed the Falcons picked them off in Week 16 to ruin a potential undefeated storyline for the Super Bowl.

 

[KB_fan]

Continuing from the NFL.com article...

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000628000/article/10-things-we-learned-from-championship-sunday?campaign=tw-nf-sf19584024-sf19584024

Wow.... Palmer & the AZ WR stats are stunning (in a bad way)!!!!  Jaw dropping!  Love our D.
 

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Palmer dropped back to pass 43 times. He finished with 66 adjusted net yards, according to Pro Football Reference. Palmer averaged 8.41 per dropbacks during regular season, and 1.53 in this game. Palmer certainly came up small, but the Panthers defense deserves a ton of credit for making his life miserable.

Kawann Shortt continued his incredible run with a forced fumble. He is one of the top five defensive linemen in the league. Kurt Coleman picked off two passes. Thomas Davis was all over the field until he hurt his arm. Luke Kuechly helped kill drives. And the entire unsung secondary shut down Michael Floyd, Larry Fitzgerald, and John Brown to a combined 80 yards. It is remarkable to see an entire team play so well all at once.

 

 

[KB_fan]

Interrupting the game analysis.... just saw this post from #Agent89.  Props to him for his congrats to the Panthers.   I know it will mean a lot to many of our guys and many fans.

 

https://sqor.com/posts/8a71da0e-bf64-4e3a-84c6-463486faab7c

 

Steve Smith Sr.

 

2h

#panthernation Congratulations excited for my friends and for the City I call home.. good luck!!! #agent89

[KB_fan]

Back to analysis & stats from last night in a minute... but first:

A few interesting tweets about our upcoming matchup with Denver and Peyton Manning in the Superbowl:

Black & Blue Review ‏@BlackBlueReview 16m16 minutes ago

Per Elias, this will be the largest age gap between starting QBs in Super Bowl history. Peyton-Cam are 13 years, 48 days apart.

 

Black & Blue Review ‏@BlackBlueReview 31m31 minutes ago

Wild one here: Cam Newton will be just the 3rd Heisman Trophy-winning QB to start a Super Bowl. The others – Jim Plunkett & Roger Staubach.

 

Joe Person ‏@josephperson 3h3 hours ago

Ron Rivera and Gary Kubiak have been to the Super Bowl as players, assistant coaches and now head coaches. #SB50

 

Don Banks Verified account ‏@DonBanks 11h11 hours ago

Rivera-Kubiak is first matchup of Super Bowl HC's who are ex-NFL players since Ditka vs. Berry 30 years ago. Rivera played in that game.

 

Also....

 

Here's a great "50 stats about Super bowl 50" article:
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/14640327/50-stats-know-super-bowl-50-carolina-panthers-denver-broncos-nfl

 

a few tidbits

• This is the first Super Bowl matchup between quarterbacks who were drafted No. 1 overall.
• According to Elias Sports Bureau research, this will be the first Super Bowl in history in which the No. 1 overall pick from a draft (Cam Newton in 2011) will face the No. 2 overall pick from the same draft (Von Miller in 2011).
• Quarterbacks making their Super Bowl debut have won four straight over quarterbacks with some Super Bowl experience. Peyton Manning's two Super Bowl losses came against quarterbacks making their debut (Manning won his debut).
• Peyton Manning and Cam Newton have played each other once in their careers, a 36-14 win by Manning's Broncos in 2012. Newton was sacked seven times and posted a career-low 5.9 Total QBR in the game.
• The Panthers led the NFL in scoring this season. Teams to lead the NFL in scoring are 10-9 all-time in the Super Bowl, but they have lost four of the past five. The most recent to win: 2009 Saints.
• Cam Newton will be the eighth quarterback drafted No. 1 overall to start a Super Bowl game, joining Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, Drew Bledsoe, Troy Aikman, John Elway, Jim Plunkett and Terry Bradshaw.
• Cam Newton will be the third Heisman-winning quarterback to start a Super Bowl and the first since Jim Plunkett in Super Bowl XVIII. Roger Staubach was the other Heisman-winning quarterback to start a Super Bowl.
• Coach Ron Rivera has won the Super Bowl before -- as a linebacker for the 1985 Bears. He was also the defensive coordinator for the 2006 Bears, who lost to Peyton Manning in the Super Bowl that year.

 

(I didn't realize the Bears' 2006 loss was against Manning.... so yes, at least in some sense, and at least for Rivera, the revenge tour continues...!)

 

[KB_fan]

PFF's grades:

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2016/01/25/pro-ari-car-grades/

 

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Carolina Panthers

– In the biggest game of his career, quarterback Cam Newton (+3.3) delivered another strong performance. He wasn’t perfect, missing on all three of the passes of 20 yards or more downfield and outside the right numbers, including the interception to Patrick Peterson. Outside of those throws, though, there was little he did wrong, and he was strong throwing downfield elsewhere, going four-of-four for 208 yards and a touchdown on throws 20 yards or more downfield and either in the middle of the field or outside the left numbers. Factor in his game-breaking ability as a runner, which the Cardinals could do little to stop when he did run the ball, and he was once again a big reason for a Panthers’ victory.

– He only played 31 snaps before injuring his arm, but linebacker Thomas Davis (+3.9) had a huge impact on the game in the first half. A standout against the run and in coverage, he allowed just two receptions for 20 yards, with all six of his tackles resulting in a defensive stop. The injury is significant enough that it poses a threat to his availability in the Super Bowl, something which would be a huge loss to the Panthers’ defense.

– Adding another two interceptions to an impressive collection this season, Kurt Coleman (+3.4) stole two passes away from Carson Palmer to ruin two Arizona drives yesterday. Both of them came on plays where Palmer forced the ball to the receiver, despite Coleman lurking, but both saw the safety go and make a play on the ball. He was second amongst safeties with seven regular season interceptions, and will be hoping to pick off Peyton Manning next Sunday.

Top performers:

LB Thomas Davis +3.9
RT Mike Remmers +3.9
S Kurt Coleman +3.4
QB Cam Newton +3.3
LG Andrew Norwell +3.3

 

and there's more in the PFF CAR v Denver Super Bowl preview:

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2016/01/25/pro-super-bowl-preview-broncos-panthers/
 

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The good

The Panthers’ rushing attack had a much more effective game than last week, consistently gaining big chunks of yards and giving balance to a strong offensive attack. Running back Jonathan Stewart (83.0) finished with 83 yards on 19 carries, and forced two missed tackles, while quarterback Cam Newton (87.1) gained 49 yards on just eight carries and scored two touchdowns. The entire offensive line (even left tackle Michael Oher) graded positively in run blocking, and the strong run game allowed the Panthers to work the play-action, where Newton was seven-for-seven for 127 yards.

Carolina’s secondary played another fantastic game in coverage, really tightening up from last week’s struggles against the Seahawks. While an opponent once again attacked cornerback Robert McClain to the tune of 15 targets, he allowed seven receptions for 80 yards and a touchdown, as well as a pass breakup. But the Panthers had solid play all around. Cornerback Josh Norman saw five targets, surrendering just two catches for 21 yards, and he added two pass breakups. Safety Kurt Coleman wasn’t ever targeted as the primary coverage man, but he made two interceptions and was excellent in his safety help role, posting a team-high coverage grade.

 

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Key player

TE Greg Olsen (84.6): Olsen has been one of the best receiving targets in the postseason thus far, racking up 12 catches on 14 targets for 190 yards and a touchdown. He has the highest playoff receiving grade in the league at the moment. What’s even more impressive is that nine of those receptions have gained first downs.

CB Josh Norman (83.7): Norman has been a strong coverage corner all season long, and his 87.5 coverage grade ranks as the fourth-best among CBs this season. His 15.3 coverage snaps per reception these playoffs are fourth-best, as is his 0.61 yards per coverage snap average.

 

 

[KB_fan]

A great article about how the Panthers' thieves - aka the DBs - responded to the challenge yesterday

http://www.panthers.com/news/article-2/Secondary-responds-to-the-challenge/4a2986fc-e490-4386-9385-85a993c4f9e1

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"Coach (Steve) Wilks never let up on us," safety Kurt Coleman said. "He and (defensive coordinator) Sean McDermott really called us out as a DB unit and said, ‘In order for us to win, you’re going to have to play a big game.’

"So what are we doing to do? What are we going to do as a group? We played our style of football."

The Panthers proved they were up the challenge and then some in a dominant 49-15 victory. Quarterback Carson Palmer, leader of one of the league’s most feared offenses, finished with a passer rating of 43.2. His longest completion went for 21 yards.

His top target, future Hall of Fame wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, finished with just four catches for 30 yards.

 

[Newtcase]

My favorite quote came from a concession worker serving a Cardinal fan in front of me, when the fan handed his card over for payment guy handed it back and said "Sorry, your cards been declined!"  Many whoops and high five were handed out!  LOL