I wonder if this game has shown a way to get at Luke. Gronk beat him multiple times through out the game. Luckily we had double coverage on that has play cause he was beat on that 4th down too. He hasn't that good in coverage vs elite TEs (Gronk, Gonzalez even though he did get that int vs Gonzalez).

We are going to have to scheme something up the help him out. I am worried about what the Bounty Hunter is going to draw up and the potential for Jimmy Graham.

[Edited on November 19, 2013 at 12:22 PM. Reason : 0]

11/19/2013 12:21:33 PM

A LB who can't single handedly shut down Gronk or Graham is considered exposed? Sounds like bad news for all NFL LBs

11/19/2013 12:25:23 PM

For as many times as the Pats have won a game on the last drive/play, they can eat a dick on this one.

I've seen this same situation before in many other games, just not necessarily on the last play of the game. It's called the same every time.

If the ball is intercepted before it gets to the receiver, it's not catchable b/c there is no ball to catch. Therefore there is nothing to interfere with.

The only reason this is a big deal is b/c it was on the last play of the game and Sports Media loves nothing more than the taste of Tom Brady's penis. If this had happened in the middle of the 2nd quarter in the Arizona/Jacksonville game, we'd all be praising the refs for knowing the rules well enough to make the right call.

[Edited on November 19, 2013 at 12:30 PM. Reason : i]

11/19/2013 12:30:14 PM

i wish i could've gotten a picture of ryan mallet mocking cam newton's first down pose after brady threw for a 1st down in the 4th quarter. he was right in front of us and he did it a few times looking across the field at cam. nothing like a back up qb trying to rile you up.

11/19/2013 12:43:18 PM

We had one lucky call go our way all game...ok maybe 2 if you count the PI on Olsen

meanwhile, the Pats should've had that shitbad OL #61 thrown out for his bush league injury on Big Money, Aqib Talib should've been ejected in the 1st quarter, and I remember at least one other piddly penalty on the Pats drive where Ridley fumbled

fuck you Boston sports, with all your numerous championships over the last 5-10 years. Eat a fat dick, go watch your hopper on Harvard yard and drown yourself in a bowl of chowder you cunt faggots.

11/19/2013 12:45:42 PM

^^ hahah fuck em

And as for the last play...it was a close call that went in favor of the home team. The Pats are used to being on the benefiting end of those calls. Maybe it was the wrong call, maybe not. It was close. But let's not act like it's 100% black and white one way or the other.

[Edited on November 19, 2013 at 12:47 PM. Reason : Arrows]

11/19/2013 12:46:33 PM

Quote :

"For as many times as the Pats have won a game on the last drive/play, they can eat a dick on this one. "

11/19/2013 12:54:20 PM

got tickets for the bucs game on dec 1st -- who else is going?

had a few too many beers before going to stubhub ....but the good news is row 1, sec 230

11/19/2013 12:55:45 PM

Finally recovered enough to actually make a coherent post

I think I lost 3 years off my life with that last 59 seconds. Was it a penalty? Debatable as we've all seen, but we have been on the short end of so many of those that I don't even feel bad it for a second.

I don't see why this team can't be the best in the NFC. What else do they need to prove? The test of all tests will be @Seattle in the playoffs. Defense travels as they say, so we have as good a shot as anyone should it come down to that.

I told my buddy before that winning drive that we were about to find out how far Cam has come in his 2.5 years in this league. 85 yards later, he's firing a ball into the stands. The guy is as special as they come. If he continues to progress he could be the best quarterback in the league in a few short years.

There is something magical brewing with this team.

I want a Lombardi.

KEEP POUNDING

11/19/2013 1:19:18 PM

11/19/2013 1:24:19 PM

Possible overlooked point in the game thinking back on it is that when we got down near the redzone on that GW drive, and had that penalty, we didn't pack it in and play for the tie.

It would have been easy to run a couple times and trot Gano out there, but we went for the jugular and came out throwing. Kudos to Shula and Cam for keeping their foot on the pedal and playing to WIN right there.

11/19/2013 2:30:39 PM

Charles Johnson "week-to-week" with a sprained MCL. Hopefully he'll only miss the Dolphins game, need him healthy.

11/19/2013 3:34:54 PM

Yeah one of those keep him available but only if needed. Hopefully we can get a good jump on Miami and TB and give him 2 weeks off.

11/19/2013 4:01:21 PM

Well our defense looked like shit when he was out of the game. Part of that was psychological I'm sure, but he's clearly very important to our defense. If it's just pain, then let him play, but it's not worth risking further injury until the Saints game.

11/19/2013 4:14:00 PM

tedy bruschi is fucking garbage, why does he even have a job?

11/19/2013 4:14:07 PM

Looking at the play objectively there's just no way that was pass interference.

First of all, this is a hail mary play that everyone knows is going to the end zone. There is going to be some contact with that many players in one location. Kuechly is entitled to some space in the end zone as well.

Hail marys happen all the time. When's the last time you saw one with zero contact? It simply isn't the same as a play action pass where the CB gets burned and drags the receiver down on a 50 yard bomb. A lot more contact is going to be allowed on a play where both teams have everyone in the end zone going for it.

Furthermore, the ball was so poorly thrown that it never reached the intended target. In fact, it was so poorly thrown that the intended target never even attempted to catch the pass. This is some serious "WAHHHH we never lose we must have gotten screwed" first grader mentality.

It would be an absolute travesty to have ruled that pass interference. The ball was woefully underthrown and uncatchable to the point where the receiver didn't even attempt to catch it.

Game over. Great win. Best game of Newton's career for sure. Spectacular plays. Didn't have a backbreaking turnover (though 2 of his passes were damn lucky not to get picked). And engineered two killer TD drives in the 2nd half, including the game winner.

I can't believe people were trying to run him out of town a few weeks ago. This thread should be read over again for sheer hilarity at how terrible people's assessment of the team was at times when it was clear we were a top notch team over a month ago.

11/19/2013 5:28:46 PM

Well, I was officially wrong on the Panthers playoff chances. The wins over these last 3 weeks have pretty much guaranteed a wildcard berth.

Did not see this coming given how bad they looked through 4 weeks.

11/19/2013 8:45:01 PM

they looked bad for one of the first four games, and even that game wasn't that bad, just some bad drops/throws

their record was bad, but they weren't that far off

which is pretty much what some of us were saying at the time (that and rightfully calling for Rivera to be fired)

luckily him being on the hottest of hot seats allowed him to change the way he coaches, and luckily he was able to gain confidence as a coach while we were dominating some bad teams

11/19/2013 9:41:33 PM

^^^ I'm gonna bite for the trollbait. I haven't seen too many "hail mary's" thrown as bullet passes, but that's just me.

11/19/2013 9:44:28 PM

This thread will have some funny comments when Rivera wins coach of the year

11/19/2013 10:55:19 PM

Panthers/Patriots game is currently ranked as 3rd best for TV ratings for MNF this year, behind the Eagles/Redskins opener & the Packers/Bears game on Nov. 4th. Hopefully this will help flex a few of the later games this year to NBC.

11/20/2013 10:13:51 AM

one of the games vs the saints will get flexed, probably the Katrina Bowl with our luck

11/20/2013 1:31:10 PM

Lol at us looking bad after four weeks. Your analysis was just wrong. We looked pretty decent and weve looked elite for over a month now.

After week 3 I announced we had great value at 75:1 to win the super bowl and 6:1 to win the division. You were just ignoring reality

11/20/2013 2:23:48 PM

Yes, it is bleacher report, but I still got a kick out of this gstor fan's article on Cam.

http://m.bleacherreport.com/articles/694994-carolina-panther-cam-newton-is-the-worst-nfl-draft-pick-ever

11/20/2013 8:58:18 PM

^lol, some gems in there

"don't draft this guy cause he hasn't lost"

"Tebow is an accurate passer"

11/20/2013 9:03:36 PM

Wrong thread

[Edited on November 20, 2013 at 9:31 PM. Reason : .]

11/20/2013 9:31:10 PM

^^^from same guy

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/866268-five-reasonsthe-florida-gators-will-beat-alabama
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/822014-denver-broncos-handling-of-tim-tebow-is-why-they-will-again-lose-12-games
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/659185-nfl-draft-2011-five-reasons-why-cam-newton-is-not-worth-risking-a-top-five-pick
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/552589-auburn-vs-oregon-a-bcs-sham-of-a-game-shame-on-the-ncaa

Typical objetive SEC fan

11/21/2013 4:52:44 PM

Huge game for us this week. If we can beat Miami, i think we'll be favored to win the division. We're slightly over 40% right now. We've all but got the #2 or #5 seed locked up depending on if we win the division or not.

11/21/2013 5:40:40 PM

Falcons could do us a huge favor tonight



[Edited on November 21, 2013 at 6:19 PM. Reason : ..]

11/21/2013 6:17:56 PM

0-4 all time against Miami, only team in the league we haven't ever beaten

time to reverse the curse

11/21/2013 6:52:51 PM

I can guarantee Panther at Saints will be flexed Sea at Sf and Indy Cinci are protected. All other games that week are terrible matchups.

11/21/2013 6:54:49 PM

We'll know by the 26th but I'm hoping not.

We don't need that crowd working against us any more than they will at 1pm.

I think week 16 has a great shot at getting flexed too, especially if that game ends up deciding the division.

Currently they have NE/Balt in that slot which is a draw even if the Ravens suck.

[Edited on November 21, 2013 at 7:36 PM. Reason : Cam's a huge draw for networks I would assume. We can expect more primetime next season.]

[Edited on November 21, 2013 at 7:43 PM. Reason : Looks like Lions/Eagles is our main comp for that slot. PLEASE take that game!]

11/21/2013 7:35:34 PM

Can someone with espn insider post the Mel piper's article about the top 30 rookies?

11/21/2013 9:08:04 PM

only chance for flex is the SNF game when we would be in NOLA. I want to go down there for the game. That being said…watch us lose one of these 2….so tonight…we are ALL FALCONS FANS!

11/21/2013 10:19:57 PM

Pro Bowl voting http://www.panthers.com/fanzone/official-2014-pro-bowl.html

In addition to Panthers and former State players (and yes I voted for RW), I voted for both Jonathan Martin and Richie Incognito

11/21/2013 11:50:17 PM

11. Travis Frederick, C, Dallas: He's had one or two bad games, but Frederick makes his mark as a run-blocker and has held up well.

12. Mike Glennon, QB, Tampa Bay: Over the past three games (two of them wins), Glennon has seven TD passes and zero INTs.

13. Alec Ogletree, OLB, St. Louis: He's not mistake free, but he doesn't come off the field and is getting more consistent.

14. David Bakhtiari, OT, Green Bay: It's not as noteworthy when you're not blocking for Rodgers, but he's still playing well.

15. Lane Johnson, OT, Philadelphia: Has looked like a Pro Bowl player at times over the past few weeks. The growth is clear.

16. D.J. Fluker, OT, San Diego: He has been better as a pass-blocker than I thought, and will continue to improve.

17. Keenan Allen, WR, San Diego: "Only" seven catches over the past two weeks after a big stretch. Now a bigger focus for defenses, perhaps.

18. Marcus Cooper, CB, Kansas City: Has played well this season, but got lit up in Denver. K.C.'s run against bad QBs helped.

19. Aaron Dobson, WR, New England: Drops are still an issue, but he's picking up targets as he gets more comfortable in this offense.

20. Zac Stacy, RB, St. Louis: A successful rookie season continues as he's clearly the No. 1 back.

21. Terrance Williams, WR, Dallas: Only three total catches over the past two games have him in a mini-funk.

22. Kenny Stills, WR, New Orleans: Has four TD receptions in the past five games, but could use more targets.

23. Kawann Short, DT, Carolina: Does a good job in run defense, and can penetrate, but not on the field much of the time.

24. EJ Manuel, QB, Buffalo: Back on the list now that he's healthy and coming off his best game of the season.

25. Kyle Long, G, Chicago: Has improved overall and is doing a better job of limiting pressure.

26. Barkevious Mingo, OLB, Cleveland: You can see the potential, but he's still a one-trick pony because he's soft against the run.

27. DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Houston: Had just one catch last week; Houston has to take shots to him down the field.

28. Nickell Robey, CB, Buffalo: Has quietly become one the better stories from this rookie class; playing a key role.

29. Tavon Austin, WR, St. Louis: Just eight total targets over the past three weeks. Needs more.

(Tie) 30. Bennie Logan, DT, Philadelphia: He can be really disruptive and create pressure from the inside.

(Tie) 30. Geno Smith, QB, New York Jets: Deserves credit for some team success, but where else would he be starting outside New York right now?

11/22/2013 12:57:03 AM

1. Kiko Alonso, ILB, Buffalo
If you graded it only on per-play impact, you'd probably put Alonso lower on this list -- not far, but perhaps behind the next two players. But when you factor in the total impact of a player who is second in the NFL in tackles, has been as good as almost any linebacker in the NFL in coverage and literally never comes off the field, you give the slight edge to Alonso. He is a second-round pick who has played to the level of what you might hope for from a top-10 pick so far. At least I would, which is why he stays at No. 1.

Richardson

2. Sheldon Richardson, DT, New York Jets
There are different ways a defensive tackle can be disruptive, but too much of the fanfare goes to guys who relentlessly attack the gaps and find their way to the quarterback. Richardson does deliver against the pass, but he's truly in his element against the run, where he has a great nose for the ball and both scrapes down the line to make plays, as well as getting into gaps and pushing blockers back to destroy running lanes. This is an absurdly good defensive line right now.

Lotulelei

3. Star Lotulelei, DT, Carolina
We knew Lotulelei was going to make his money as a clogger in the middle, occupying multiple gaps and allowing guys such as Thomas Davis and Luke Kuechly to make plays. So far he has been as advertised against the run, but Lotulelei also will occasionally show off his quickness and ability to dispatch a blocker and get his hands on opposing quarterbacks. Ultimately, you look at a number like the 3.8 yards per carry teams now get against Carolina and realize Lotulelei deserves his share of the credit.

Vaccaro

4. Kenny Vaccaro, S, New Orleans
Earlier in the season Vaccaro would make plays, but also take some bad angles and get himself out of position too often. But as the year has progressed, he has become better defending the run, and has done a better job in coverage. There are rookies playing better than Vaccaro right now, but I'm grading on his overall contribution, and I still see him as part of the reason the Saints have had such a dramatic turnaround on defense this season.

Bernard

5. Giovani Bernard, RB, Cincinnati
There are probably fans in the stands holding up a picture of Bernard on signs with the line "Needs. More. Carries." scribbled across it. Now, I'm not saying the Bengals are mismanaging his role in the offense, but Bernard can deliver explosive plays, and as a fan of the game you just love to see him get the ball. He has yet to exceed 15 carries in a game this season, but remember he's also up this high because of what he brings as a pass-catcher (42 receptions). For perspective, no wide receiver in the rookie class has more.

Reed

6. Jordan Reed, TE, Washington
He leads all rookie pass-catchers with 45 receptions this season, and is third among all rookies in receiving yardage. While Reed didn't do much at the outset of the season, it's clear Robert Griffin III has developed a chemistry with him. Reed suffered a concussion Sunday against the Eagles, so we'll have to see what his status is going forward. Regardless, he clearly has proved he'll be a big part of the offensive future in Washington.

Mathieu

7. Tyrann Mathieu, S, Arizona
The ironic thing about Mathieu's season isn't so much his ability to make plays all over the field, it's that for a guy who was considered a potential boom or bust player, he has been extremely consistent week to week. Every Monday I go back through the games, and he's as steady a player as the Cardinals have had, and that's no exaggeration. Only Karlos Dansby has more tackles, and Mathieu's versatility keeps him on the field for every play.

Lacy

8. Eddie Lacy, RB, Green Bay
Despite tougher sledding with Aaron Rodgers out of the lineup, Lacy still has a good shot to hit 1,000 yards this season, but it's the manner in which he gets those yards that impresses me most. Lacy picks up a lot of his yardage after contact, but also shows quick feet and the ability to make people miss. (He still hasn't completely retired his spin move.) The Packers went through a stretch where a 100-yard rusher seemed like a dream; Lacy can hit that mark in any given week.

Warford

9. Larry Warford, G, Detroit
I noted in my draft grades that I thought Warford could start early, but he has been more than a fill for a void for Detroit. He's had weeks where he looks like a Pro Bowl guard in year one. I thought Warford would hold up well as a run-blocker and take a little time to be really good in pass blocking, but he has been above average in both and looks like a long-term solution for the Lions. He's also a better athlete than I thought.

Reid

10. Eric Reid, S, San Francisco
Early in the season Reid had issues with missed tackles, even while he was making plays. But he has been better in the second half, and is now playing more like a veteran out there -- not necessarily making huge plays, but limiting mistakes. He's third on the 49ers in tackles this season, and has gained the trust of the coaching staff. San Francisco's trade up to get Reid looks like a winner at this point.

11/22/2013 12:57:45 AM

I, too, voted for Martin and Incognito

11/22/2013 7:21:34 AM

I just caught that show Panther Huddle for this first time

Everyone should DVR it. They did on the field instructional segments, showed team footage, and went pretty in depth with coach rivera on who the dolphins are and what they like to do.

A+ program

11/23/2013 11:36:23 PM

i think you can also watch Panthers Huddle on panthers.com if you miss it

definitely quality programming

http://www.panthers.com/media-vault/videos/Panthers-Huddle-Games-getting-bigger-and-bigger/7cb1b449-ebb6-4953-a403-436cbf1e46a1

[Edited on November 23, 2013 at 11:54 PM. Reason : .]

11/23/2013 11:51:46 PM

I'm pretty worried about this one. I feel like it is going to be a lot closer than it should for some reason.

I just think that a letdown is inevitable after these last two weeks.

God I hope I'm wrong

KEEP POUNDING

11/24/2013 10:25:26 AM

I don't think we'll take the Dolphins lightly despite beating better teams the past 2 weeks. I think we have too much veteran leadership to do that, and watching Dolphins game tape is gonna show they're not the Jacksonville Jaguars and do have some playmakers. And I think our defense will be as motivated as ever, and want to make up for 95 being out. Could be a field goal game, but I think we win by 10

11/24/2013 11:19:56 AM

remember last year or the year before when we lost like 13 coin tosses in a row?

/cool story

11/24/2013 1:03:32 PM

Pinball interception!

11/24/2013 1:06:05 PM

So Newton got hit in the head without it being called a penalty (he's spitting out blood now). Bullshit the NFL protects all QBs equally.

11/24/2013 1:09:55 PM

seems like NCSU clock management....

11/24/2013 1:12:47 PM

It's going to be one of THOSE games.

11/24/2013 1:14:51 PM

Steve drops a perfect pass, no flag on late hit...

11/24/2013 1:15:36 PM

Cam will be throwing quick today after that hit. A lot of overthrows incoming

[Edited on November 24, 2013 at 1:16 PM. Reason : Derp]

11/24/2013 1:15:54 PM

guys, calm down there's no way the ref in charge of looking for that could have seen that helmet-to-helmet

11/24/2013 1:19:04 PM