Failure in the red zone is a major reason for the losing streak

[hepcat]

Outside of the Steelers game, the Panthers have blown golden red zone opportunities in every single game during the losing streak. We can point fingers at the defense, with valid reasons, but if the Panthers could have converted some of these opportunities with TDs, I guarantee they wouldn't be on a 6 game losing streak.

At Detroit:

1. On their first possession of the first half, the Panthers have the ball at the Detroit 12 yard line after DJ Moore's incredible catch and run. After two McCaffrey runs for a 3rd and 2 from the Detroit 6 yard line, the Panthers drop back to pass on third down and Cam is sacked for a 12 yard loss. Graham Gano misses a 34 yard field goal that would have tied the game 10-10.
2. With 1:37 remaining in the game, the Panthers score a TD to bring the score to 19-20. The Panthers go for 2, and fail, losing the game.

Vs Seattle:

1. On their first possession of the game, the Panthers drive down to the Seattle 5 yard line and are faced with a 4th and 2. Cam Newton is stopped short of the line to gain, turnover on downs. Would have allowed the Panthers to take an early 7-0 lead, but the score remains 0-0.
2. Panthers second possession of the game, they drive down to the Seattle 4 yard line. Faced with a 3rd and 2, McCaffrey is stuffed for a 3 yard loss. Graham Gano kicks a 26 yard field goal for a 3-0 lead.
3. Panthers final possession of the 1st half, they have a first and goal from the Seattle 10 yard line. After three plays the Panthers gain 0 yards and settle for another Graham Gano field goal to take the lead 13-10.
4. Panthers first possession of the 2nd half, the Panthers face 1st and 10 from the Seattle 18 yard line. Cam Newton throws an INT in the end zone. Score still 13-10

At Tampa:

1. Panthers 5th possession of the game, struggling to get things going with the score 7-10 in favor of the Bucs, the Panthers have a 2nd and 10 from the Tampa 25 yard line. Cam Newton throws an INT.
2. Panthers 1st possession of the 2nd half, they face a 3rd and 7 from the Tampa 9 yard line. They score a TD on the previous play that was nullified by a holding penalty on Chris Clark, bringing up 3rd and 17. They do not convert and Graham Gano kicks a field goal to bring the score to 17-13.

At Cleveland: 

1. Panthers 5th possession of the game, they drive down to the Cleveland 18 yard line. After a 5 yard Christian McCaffrey run on 1st down, Chris Clark is called for holding to bring up 2nd and 10. The Panthers do not convert and Catanzaro kicks a 30 yard field goal to bring the score to take a 17-14 lead.
2. Panthers 2nd possession of the 2nd half, they drive down to the Cleveland 5 yard line. On 2nd down, McCaffrey scores a TD that is nullified by a Taylor Moton holding penalty. The Panthers move backward with another penalty, illegal motion on Cam Newton, and eventually settle for a 34 yard field goal by Catanzaro to take a 20-17 lead.
3. On their second to last possession of the game, losing 20-26, the Panthers face a 1st and goal from the Cleveland 9 yard line. They get a 6 yard McCaffrey run on 1st down to get to the Cleveland 3 yard line. They do not gain another yard and turn the ball over on downs. 

Vs New Orleans:

1. On the final possession of the 1st half, gifted great field position by virtue of a James Bradberry INT, the Panthers drive down to the New Orleans 13 yard line and face a 2nd and 3. Cam Newton throws an interception in the end zone. 

[KeePounding]

Nice in depth analysis!

But what I'm really posting this for is to ask:
DOES ANYONE KNOW OF ANY MOD WHO CAN RECEIVE MESSAGES?!?!

 

THANKS!

[Mills]

All true. However the defense being bottom 3 in red zone defense this year warrants finger pointing as well. 75% TOUCHDOWN rate in the red zone is absurd.

[grimesgoat]

The one that kills me is Seattle.  This game was key from a win-loss and tiebreaker situation.

Despite wasting some good opportunities and giving up a couple of long TD bombs, we still had the game won if we just convert 1 measly first down with 2 minutes left.    We're driving on them at will all game.  If we get one first down, Seattle is out of TOs and we can run out the clock and kick a FG for the win.  We bumbled away that opportunity and that was the season IMHO.

[MHS831]

Almost as bad as the failure in the endzone.

Thanks for sharing your diligent effort.

[hepcat]

4 hours ago, grimesgoat said:

The one that kills me is Seattle.  This game was key from a win-loss and tiebreaker situation.

Despite wasting some good opportunities and giving up a couple of long TD bombs, we still had the game won if we just convert 1 measly first down with 2 minutes left.    We're driving on them at will all game.  If we get one first down, Seattle is out of TOs and we can run out the clock and kick a FG for the win.  We bumbled away that opportunity and that was the season IMHO.

They had so many chances to win that game, and all the games except the Pittsburgh game. This season was truly epic in how awful the team was in close games.

[therealmjl]

Norv basically refused to call designed QB runs for Cam down around the 5-10yard line range that we've been accustomed to.

Whether that is because of his shoulder, or just Norv being stubborn - who knows. But there were several missed opportunities there.

[Cpt slay a ho]

7 minutes ago, mjligon said:

Norv basically refused to call designed QB runs for Cam down around the 5-10yard line range that we've been accustomed to.

Whether that is because of his shoulder, or just Norv being stubborn - who knows. But there were several missed opportunities there.

This, perhaps one of Cam’s greatest attributes was being neglected in the redzone, can be argued a designed run on the 2pt conversion vs det or Cleveland would have stop this 6 game skid

[Jon Snow]

16 minutes ago, mjligon said:

Norv basically refused to call designed QB runs for Cam down around the 5-10yard line range that we've been accustomed to.

Whether that is because of his shoulder, or just Norv being stubborn - who knows. But there were several missed opportunities there.

It appears to me that Norv is trying to dial back on the amount of designed runs for Cam, especially on the goal line.  Considering what we know now about Cam's condition I tend to agree with Norv.

[panthers55]

20 minutes ago, mjligon said:

Norv basically refused to call designed QB runs for Cam down around the 5-10yard line range that we've been accustomed to.

Whether that is because of his shoulder, or just Norv being stubborn - who knows. But there were several missed opportunities there.

Not true. The problem is he got stuffed twice on third and 1 and 4th and one against Seattle for example. Instead of sneaking the ball we kept trying to run over the right side to no avail. Cam is not the weapon in the red zone anymore particularly after the injury.

[Harbingers]

@hepcat

interesting because up until the TB game were the number one redzone scoring offense in the league. 

*cough*

CMC

*cough*