WEEK 2: Panthers WIN versus San Francisco: Stats & Analysis

[KB_fan]

Here's a stat that's not gotten a lot of mention:

 

[KB_fan]

What can I say.... that's our QB!  So great to be a Panthers fan in this era of the team:

 

[KB_fan]

KB makes #2 on the NFL top 5 catches of the week

 

[KB_fan]

I think I've neglected to link the PFF grades for the week:

https://www.profootballfocus.com/pro-sf-car-grades/

Quarterback grade: Cam Newton, 79.8

Cam Newton overcomes rocky start for solid overall performance

Newton’s performance was far from flawless, but the positives outweighed the negatives. Being super-critical, his performance was perhaps a little below his high standards. He started dreadfully, forcing a late throw over the middle that was deflected for a pick. Newton improved substantially after his rocky start, connecting on a particularly precise bomb into a tight window to Ted Ginn. The splash plays that typically accompany Newton were present as usual, as this turned into a solid outing for the reigning NFL MVP.

Cam Newton passing under pressure versus 49ers

Top offensive performances

WR Kelvin Benjamin, 88.8

RT Mike Remmers, 80.8

LT Michael Oher, 80.7

QB Cam Newton, 79.8

RG Trai Turner, 79.3 

Kelvin Benjamin earns career-high grade

Deprived of Benjamin for the entirety of 2015, the Panthers were forced to spread the ball around offensively. Now with Benjamin back—and in this kind of form—he can elevate a unit that made the Super Bowl a season ago. His physicality provides another dimension for an offense stacked in the trenches and backfield. Overall, he caught seven of eight targets for 108 yards and two touchdowns versus the 49ers. Most memorably, Benjamin managed to haul in a slightly underthrown deep ball, deflected at the catch point, with only his left hand. If he can emerges as an elite wideout, an already-loaded Panthers’ offense will be that much more difficult to defend.

Top defensive performances

CB James Bradberry, 91.3

LB Luke Kuechly 86.4

LB Thomas Davis, 83.2

CB Daryl Worley, 81.9

DE Mario Addison, 76.0

Faith in youth rewarded in the secondary

Cutting All-Pro players is a rarely successful personnel policy; throwing rookies in as replacements is even more of a risk. Cornerback James Bradberry is unlikely to reach Josh Norman’s level on a consistent basis, but he was outstanding against the 49ers. On seven throws into his coverage, he allowed only one catch for 6 yards, picked off a pass, and deflected another. Blaine Gabbert’s QB rating targeting him was 0.0. Bradberry wasn’t the only rookie corner making plays for the Panthers, however; late-round selection Daryl Worley had a pass deflection of his own, and gave up only two short receptions otherwise. The best defenses rely on standout corners, increasing the pressure on the Panthers’ young contributors. They’ve responded well so far.

PFF Game-Ball Winner: Panthers WR Kelvin Benjamin

[KB_fan]

As of last night, the season's trend of more close games continued:

 

[KB_fan]

May have already posted this.. but just in case:

 

[KB_fan]

 

[KB_fan]

This stat is a big explanation of the final score.  Panthers had a LOT of big plays.  I'll be focusing more on that in my analysis:

 

[KB_fan]

Nice to see the NFL acknowledging Cam's taking the lead in franchise passing TDs:

Surprised about this.  Would expect Brees or Brady or someone else to be on this list:

 

[KB_fan]

Panthers sack total is up to 4:

4 sacks by 4 different players:

Boston & Butler in week one;  Star and Addison in week 2.

 

[KB_fan]

Greg speaks truth:

 

But hey, we'll take a bad win and 40+ points any day, right?...

 

[KB_fan]

NFL.com writes this in their week 2 game takeaways article:

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000704687/article/fortytwo-things-we-learned-from-week-2

1. The blueprint is still the same. If you're not getting to Cam Newton, you're not beating the Carolina Panthers (1-1). Their offense has so many elements -- power, speed, touch, finesse -- that they cannot go down as long as Cam Newton is upright. This was proven time and time again Sunday afternoon, but no more significantly than at the seven-minute mark in the fourth quarter when Kelvin Benjamin bodied his defender and hauled in a 27-yard catch on a third-and-10. At the time, San Francisco (1-1) was trailing by just a touchdown. A few minutes later, they hit a game-sealing field goal. Gerald Hodges had the only sack on the books for San Francisco, which is surprising given how far we've seen Arik Armstead come since last year.

2. Kelvin Benjamin makes a good product better. At this point last year, it was easy to identify the differences in Carolina's offense from the year before. This season, outside of a few window dressings added on to get favorable matchups before the snap, the only difference is Benjamin. The big-bodied wide receivers (Greg Olsen and Devin Funchess included) are going to be a nightmare all season long in single coverage, especially with the boom-or-bust stylings of Ted Ginn operating in the background.

[KB_fan]

The Panthers drive chart is really pretty wild:   7 scores in the final 8 drives.  Wow.

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201609180car.htm#home_drives::none

 

[MV%doe]

I still cannot get over the TOs, panthers did everything to give this game away. This was the most upset I've been for any win.