"You need to pay attention to the Panthers"

[Mr. Scot]

From Albert Breer's latest MMQB...

You need to pay attention to the Panthers. Two weeks, two wins, and each had a very identifiable look. They were fueled by a menacing defensive front that none of us thought enough about coming into the year and complemented by an improving, efficient offense that Sam Darnold’s steadily getting better at running. What’s more than just that, it sure looks like the program in Charlotte’s taking on the edgy, physical look that Matt Rhule’s been working on cultivating. As such, D-linemen Brian Burns, Derrick Brown and Haason Reddick set the tone in holding the Saints to 2.8 yards per carry and sacking Jameis Winston four times. And the offense maintained balance with a 33-to-40 run-to-pass ratio, that kept a diverse New Orleans defense from getting too aggressive. Which is sort of how Rhule drew this all up. “I think the way that we practiced during training camp, we had two joint practice weeks early on against Indy and Baltimore, and I feel like that helped us a ton, to be able to practice against those teams, really veteran teams, teams that know how to practice,” Darnold told me over the phone, after the 26–7 win over the Saints. “I think that really helped us, and we had a hard training camp in Spartanburg, South Carolina. I think that kind of gave us our edge a little bit. Again, Albert, it’s early in the season, I don’t want to speak too soon. But we’re in really good shape right now. We just got to continue to stay healthy and keep getting better every single week.” And the interesting thing to me, from my talk with Darnold, was that I figured this one would be significant for everyone there because it wa the Saints, who’ve won the division four years in a row and were gangbusters against Green Bay in Week 1. But it didn’t really feel like that was ever part of the coaches’ or the players’ messaging. Maybe it’s because the Panthers have to play again Thursday (against the Texans). Maybe Darnold was just being guarded, after all he’s gone through in three years as a pro. Either way, the quarterback was hesitant to assign meaning to a Week 2 win, impressive as it might’ve been, and even if it reinforced the progress that was visible in Week 1. “Again, it’s Week 2,” Darnold said, laughing. “It is a good win, don’t get me wrong. We’re really happy about that win and the way that we played. But we gotta execute a lot better—in that second half, I feel like we left some points on the board, and just didn’t really end things the way that we wanted to. But a win’s a win, and it’s a good division win and we’re happy about that.” And now, they’re a few days away from, potentially, going into a Week 4 showdown in Dallas on extra rest and with a 3–0 record.

[SBBlue]

We win 26-7 and Darnold says: I feel like we left some points on the board, and just didn’t really end things the way that we wanted to. 

I love this team.

[joemac]

5 minutes ago, SBBlue said:

We win 26-7 and Darnold says: I feel like we left some points on the board, and just didn’t really end things the way that we wanted to. 

I love this team.

Hes right though.  We easily could have dropped a 40 burger on them yesterday.  Such is life though in the NFL.  An ass whooping is an ass whooping whether you score 26 or 50. 

[Rocky Davis]

6 minutes ago, SBBlue said:

We win 26-7 and Darnold says: I feel like we left some points on the board, and just didn’t really end things the way that we wanted to. 

I love this team.

We have left points on the board in both the Jets and Taints games.  We have to be able to convert 3rd and 4th and 1 yard or less.  Brady has to have plays in his book that don't include running up the gut or off guard...we can't do it. 

[MHS831]

We beat the Stains by 19 points and it really was not that close.  Felt like 30.

[Mr. Scot]

Slow starts in the first and third quarters of games were a pretty common thing under Delhomme. From what I've seen, it seems to be a characteristic of gunslinger QBs.

Saw that in week one with Darnold. In Week 2 we were slow starting in the third, not so much in the first.

[Zod]

We have all seen this before. Young team on the rise, having fun, then the growing pains of being on other teams radar. Its a really fun journey. 

[mav1234]

What a win. Darnold saying all the right things, too. 

Much more balanced yesterday on offense... This could be a very fun year to watch this offense grow.

[Captain Morgan]

also, Kay Adams on GMA just said she loves the Panthers.

 

so we got that going for us.

 

Which is nice.

Kay, you keep playing your cards right and we'll let you meet Ked Woodley

 

[Mistuh Jones]

Hips are so underrated 

[Jon Snow]

42 minutes ago, Zod said:

We have all seen this before. Young team on the rise, having fun, then the growing pains of being on other teams radar. Its a really fun journey. 

That's why I warn these folks about getting too excited.  The rest if the NFL is going to take notice now. No more overlooking this team from anyone.  So buckle up folks because we are in for some slobber knockers from here in out. That's the way I like it though. 

[Fox007]

3 minutes ago, Jon Snow said:

That's why I warn these folks about getting too excited.  The rest if the NFL is going to take notice now. No more overlooking this team from anyone.  So buckle up folks because we are in for some slobber knockers from here in out. That's the way I like it though. 

The reason I don't care about that is because this has been a legit and honest rebuild...we look to be ahead of schedule but we clearly have a GM. If anything the rest of the league had best fugin be on notice b/c this is our first year with a real GM in decades.

[SBBlue]

ESPN predictions

I felt like a homer predicting that we would win a close game against 4 time NFCS division champions who just beat the tar out the Packers.  We blow them out leaving points on the board.  

[L-TownCat]

1 hour ago, joemac said:

Hes right though.  We easily could have dropped a 40 burger on them yesterday.  Such is life though in the NFL.  An ass whooping is an ass whooping whether you score 26 or 50. 

The best sign is we controlled the game on both sides of the ball.  If we can get this STs unit to achieve functionality, we will have a chance to win every time we step on the field. As a fan, you cant ask for anything more.