In what’s become an all-too-common ritual for Panthers fans, the team was off to another slow start to the 2013 season. Close losses to the Seattle Seahawks and the Buffalo Bills pushed the national storyline that these Cardiac Cats weren’t able to stay alive late in games. Ron Rivera’s Panthers were an astounding 2-14 in close games, and the heat was turning up on his coaching seat.
The past game, however, brought some fresh air to the team. Carolina thoroughly disassembled the New York Giants in a 38-0 shutout, giving fans everywhere a glimmer of hope in the bye week before the matchup. While the numbers gave the Panthers a close edge, sentiment on CSR was much stronger. Readers chimed in the Friday before the game, with 88% voting for a Panthers win. Vegas odd makers even put the Panthers up by 2.5 points. But games are played on the field, not on paper.
Carolina began the game well, shutting down Carson Palmer’s first drive and marching down the field. Despite getting close enough to punch it in, the Panthers had to settle for a field goal after Steve Smith dropped an easy end zone catch.
His drop was the first of four on the day for Carolina receivers, and it wasn’t the only one in a critical situation. Later on in the second half, with the Panthers again in the red zone, Brandon "McDropsies"LaFell failed to convert an easy fourth down reception. These two plays summed up much of the game (and ultimately, season) for Carolina wide receivers.
Thanks exclusively to a stellar defensive performance from the Carolina defense (two sacks and interceptions each from Robert Lester and Mike Mitchell), the game remained in a manageable position. The Panthers would end the half, 6-3, with another Graham Gano field goal to match one by the Cardinals. These would the last points Carolina put on the board that Sunday.
The second half reaffirmed why the NFC West has the toughest defenses in the league. Led by the returning Daryl Washington, the Cardinals smothered any and all attempts by the Panthers to advance the ball. The linebacker notched two of the day’s seven sacks on Cam, and added an interception along with a team-high eight tackles. His partner-in-crime, Karlos Dansby, posted identical numbers.
After an excellent Andre Ellington 29-yard run, Rashard Mendenhall punched in a touchdown from 1 yard out to make it a 10-6 lead at 5:48. On the ensuing Carolina drive, terrible communication between center Ryan Kalil and left guard Travelle Wharton gave Darnell Dockett a laughably easy safety.
The terrible play didn’t just stop there, as different members of the offensive line volunteered to show their incompetency via penalties and relentless pressure. The fourth quarter was simply a depressing mirror of the third, and two more scores gave the Arizona home team a comfortable 22-6 victory.
In the following days, Panthers fans everywhere were left coping in two of the stages of grief, summed up nicely by our resident Australian.
Immediately following the game…
...And on the following Monday.
"I want to see it burn to the ground with only Newton, Kuechly and the defensive line left… This is 2010 all over again, just with a better passer.
I'll keep watching because I have to keep watching, but I advise you to pick up another hobby for the remainder for 2013."
-Monday Morning Review
For Rivera, his seat was hotter than ever. Ian Rapoport had just hours before the game reported that Dave Gettleman had begun a new head coaching search (which he vehemently denied later). Additionally, Amini Silatolu had torn his ACL, further weakening our Byron Bell-carrying line. Fortunately for the lame duck coach and the entire team that season, the night is always darkest before the dawn.
Final Score: Arizona 22 - Carolina 6
Editor's Note: This series is a flashback of the 2013 season game by game by new, aspiring applicant authors to CSR. If you find one that you think is well written please give it a Rec. We will use the Rec as one of the measures to evaluate and select our new authors.