Prowl for Greatness: Carolina Panthers Team Page

[Mr. Blitz]

Owner: Jerry Richardson
Head Coach: Eric Taylor

2014 Schedule:


Current Record: 2-1

[Mr. Blitz]

Panthers.com

"Panthers Improve to 2-1 After Dramatic Ending vs. Steelers"


In what was nothing less than an offensive shootout, the Carolina Panthers managed to escape with a 41-38 win. While it might not have been pretty, the Panthers managed to come away with the win and advance to 2-1 in this early season.

While the Panthers played well against the passing game, holding Ben Roethlisberger to just 108 yards, 3 Interceptions, and no touchdowns, the Panthers were stunned by the running game, as Le'Veon Bell had a monster performance, racking up 275 yards and 3 touchdowns. Sure hope you weren't up against him in fantasy this week. After the game Luke Kuechly was asked what went wrong against Bell, and how it can be prevented next time. He said "We just weren't filling the gaps correctly. We gave him a lot of room to run, and we can't let that happen again. We also need to do a better job tackling when we get to the ball carrier." Not a bad conclusion from Kuechly, as Bell had 87 yards after 1st contact.

The Panthers also had their ground game working though, with Mike Tolbert and surprisingly Joe McKnight, combining for 100 yards and 2 touchdowns. When asked if we'd be seeing more of Joe McKnight in the offense, Coach Eric Taylor had this to say. "We wanted to see how Joe would fit in on the offense as a change of pace, and it worked out well. I think you can expect to continue seeing Joe in the offense in some form or fashion for the foreseeable future." When later asked if there was any chance Joe McKnight could become the starting Running Back, Coach Taylor simply said "Mike Tolbert is my starting Running Back."

While Cam Newton was off to a rough start, throwing 3 Interceptions, he managed to show up when it mattered most. The Panthers were down by a score of 34-38 late in the game with under 2 minutes remaining, needing a touchdown to win. Cam Newton showed his leadership, as he led the Panthers down the field, including having to convert on 1 4th down, to hook up with Greg Olsen for a 23 yard touchdown, with just over 10 seconds remaining, in what would prove to be the game winning touchdown for the Panthers.

The Panthers are in high spirits as they'll be heading on the road next week, to tangle with another AFC North opponent, the Baltimore Ravens.

[Mr. Blitz]

Panthers Stomp Eagles; Improve to 6-4



In what was supposed to be an exciting match up under the lights on Monday Night Football, the Panthers turned it into a runaway, and it didn't take long to do so. The final was 48-13, and as bad as it sounds, it actually was even more one-sided than the score tells. The first Eagles possession would tell the story for the whole game, as it ended with Brian Hoyer throwing an interception for a touchdown to Antoine Cason. That would be one of four interceptions Hoyer would throw on the day, and two of them resulting in touchdowns.

The Panthers offense was able to stay on par with their great defensive performance as well, dominating the Time of Possession game by over 13 minutes. Good performances on the running game as well, with Mike Tolbert and Joe McKnight combining for 110 yards and two touchdowns.

Cam Newton had a very efficient game, going 14-20, 151 yards, and a touchdown. Cam, along with the rest of the starters, would only play the first half, as the Panthers led 31-3 at the end of the 2nd quarter. We would see third string QB Joe Webb come in for the rest of the game, as the Panthers would coast to victory.

Next week the Panthers will play what is likely the biggest game of their season thus far, going up against the division leading Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons sit at 6-3, one half a game ahead of the Panthers 6-4. Shall the Panthers win this game, they will take first place in their division, and be riding a four game winning streak going into their week 12 bye week.

The Falcons are coming off a win vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which ended wildly. The Bucs were down seven with under two minutes to go, and Tahj Boyd was able to execute a fantastic game tying drive, and found the endzone with just 18 seconds left to push the game into overtime... at least you would think. The Buccaneers would miss the PAT, sealing a 24-23 victory for the Falcons.

The Panthers will be playing at home, and we ask that all of you fans fill up Bank of America Stadium this Sunday, and cheer on your Panthers in this crucial division game.

[Mr. Blitz]

Panthers Roll Past Falcons 27-10, Take Division Lead!


The Carolina Panthers took on the Falcons at home this weekend, with the winner coming out as the NFC South division leader. The Carolina Panthers were ready for the challenge, as they went on to win 27-10.

The Panthers played a very well-rounded game both offensively and defensively. On defense, the Panthers held the Falcons to just 31 yards on the ground, while on offense, the Panthers accounted for 188 yards in the run game, with split carries between DeAngelo Williams, Joe McKnight, and Mike Tolbert. Williams led the way in yards, having 14 carries for 60 yards. McKnight had 9 carries for 56 yards, and Mike Tolbert had 8 carries for 46 yards and a touchdown.

The Panthers all around seemed like they had an edge over the Falcons, as the game was never in a whole lot of doubt. This game marks the fourth win in a row for the Panthers, and after a 3-4 start to the season, they now lead the division at 7-4 going into their bye week. The Panthers are currently undefeated when playing at home with 5-0 record. After the bye week, the Panthers will go on a short road stint, playing away to the Vikings, and then the Saints. They'll then host the Buccaneers and the Browns, and then play the Atlanta Falcons on the road for the last game of the season.

The Prowl for the Playoffs is officially on, folks! Be sure to keep supporting your Carolina Panthers!

[Mr. Blitz]

Panthers Run Away vs. Vikings, 41-10

The Panthers traveled to Minnesota this weekend to take on the Vikings, and this one appeared to be over before it started, as the Panthers destroyed the Vikings. After the first quarter, things appeared to be close, as the Vikings lead 3-0 at the end of the first quarter. However, in the second quarter, the Panthers would go unanswered putting up 35 points and making the score 35-3 by the half, led by 4 Teddy Bridgewater interceptions. Bridgewater on the day was an awful 9/23 through the air, 83 yards, 4 interceptions, and 0 touchdowns. It was not a good day for the rookie QB.

Cam Newton, however, was very efficient. Although he wasn't relied on to do much because of the domination in the run game, Cam went 10/12, 157 yards, and a touchdown. Going back to the run game, though, we saw a bit of a shake up, as Mike Tolbert would no longer be the starting RB. Deangello Williams started the game, but he was not alone, as he, Tolbert, and Joe McKnight all had outstanding games. McKnight had 19 carries, 108 yards, and 2 touchdowns. Williams was right behind him with 12 carries for 102 yards, and Tolbert had 12 carries, 49 yards, and 2 touchdowns as well. It was very interesting to see how Ron Rivera managed his RBs, and be sure to keep an eye on how they are used moving forward.

This win pushes the Panthers up to 5 consecutive wins, as they try to keep the streak going to maintain the lead in the division. Next week the Panthers will go up against a scrappy Saints team on the road.

[Mr. Blitz]

Panthers Rattle Brees in the Dome, Win 36-18

The Panthers have done it again, defeating the Saints in what was a must win game for them to stay alive in the playoff hunt. The Saints came in 5-7, hoping to win out and keep a chance to make the wild card. They left disappointed.

The key of this victory was the defense, particularly against the passing game of Drew Brees. The Panthers intercepted Drew Brees a whopping 7 times, 2 of which coming from "Mr. Don't Throw His Way" Luke Kuechly, who now has 10 Interceptions on the year. The defense rattled Drew Brees early, and Brees continually gave it back to the Panthers, which made for easy work by the offense.

The Running game worked similar to how it did last week, but this week, the Panthers would make Joe McKnight their starter. The pre-season cut of the Kansas City Chiefs, then turned return man for the Panthers, now turned starting running back for the Panthers. What a difference a few months can make. McKnight had 65 rushing yards and a touchdown, and Tolbert was behind him with 9 carries for 45 yards.

The Panthers have pushed their impressive win streak to 6 games with this win, and now, after a 3-4 start to the season, are 9-4, and looking to try to get home field advantage in the playoffs. Home field would be huge for the Panthers, as they are an undefeated 6-0 at home this year.

Next week the Panthers take on the Bucs, who beat them in week 1. The Panthers will be looking for revenge, as the Bucs will travel to Charlotte.

[Mr. Blitz]

Panthers Get Revenge vs. Bucs, 31-0 Shutout

When you get a shutout, things have to work perfectly on defense. For the Panthers, they couldn't have played much better on that side of the ball. They only had one turnover, but the Panthers dominated the defensive side this week. The Buccaneers totaled for 68 Rushing yards, and 92 Pass yards. Tajh Boyd played fairly efficient, but was not willing to take many chances against the Panthers defense, and stuck with mostly short passes. He threw for only 116 yards, and 1 crucial redzone interception early, which swung the momentum in Carolina's favor the rest of the game.

The Panthers offense didn't let this great performance go to waste, as the also had a nice day. Cam Newton was a very efficient 15/18 for 151 yards, and 2 touchdowns. Cam would also add one rushing Touchdown. And on the ground, what is now being referred to by fans as "Slash, Smash, and Dash" Deangello Williams (Slash), Mike Tolbert (Smash), and Joe McKnight (Dash), all produced on the ground this week. McKnight had 21 carries for 101 yards and a touchdown, Tolbert had 12 carries for 50 yards, and Williams had 7 carries for 40 yards. Greg Olsen led the way in receiving, having 10 receptions for 98 yards and a touchdown on the day.

The Panthers have really stretched this win streak to 7 in a row now, and are also a dominant 7-0 at home on the year as we near the playoffs. The Panthers have just 2 games left to play, next week the Panthers will host the Browns, and in the regular season finale will travel to Atlanta to take on the Falcons.

The Panthers now sit at 10-4, topping the NFC South, and nearing the top of the NFC. The Panthers are currently the third seed, with the Redskins and 49ers above them. We'll see if the Panthers can edge either of those two out, and get a first round bye, or home field advantage in the playoffs.

[Mr. Blitz]

Panthers Win 8th in a Row, Defeat Browns 38-10, Clinch NFC South

The Carolina Panthers took the field in Bank of America Stadium for the last time in the regular season against the Cleveland Browns. Going into the game, the Panthers had a 7 game winning streak, and were 7-0 at home on the year. Both of those streaks would continue, as the Panthers advance their win streak to 8 games, and win their last home game of the regular season to make it a perfect 8-0 on the year.

Normally when we talk about who did damage in the Panthers running game, we'll be talking about Mike Tolbert, Joe McKnight, and DeAngello Williams. Today, though, it was Cam Newton. Cam Newton, coming into this game with just 2 touchdowns on the entire season, scampered in for a total of three rushing touchdowns on the day. McKnight may not have scored, but Dash did have 24 carries for 115 yards on the day. It seemed to be the typical day for the offense though, as the running game took control of the game, and Cam Newton did not make any mistakes through the air, going 11-15 for 141 yards.

The Panthers defense made it very tough for rookie QB Johnny Manziel, as he went 15-32, 155 yards, and 3 interceptions, one of which would be returned for a touchdown by Chris Houston. Houston had 2 interceptions, and Luke Kuechly hauled in his 11th of the year as well.

With the win, the Panthers advance to 11-4 on the year, and now, with the Falcons losing, have clinched the NFC South! The Panthers are now officially the NFC South champion for a second straight season, and will be going to the playoffs! Things are not over just yet though, as next week the Panthers will travel to Atlanta to take on the Falcons, in a game which, if won, will give the Panthers the Number One Seed in the NFC, which will guarantee home field throughout the playoffs. With the Panthers being 8-0 at home on the season, home field advantage through the playoffs would surely be huge.