You know what I'm thankful for? Getting to watch the Carolina Panthers play on Thanksgiving, and storming AT&T stadium to come out at 11-0.
The Panthers immediately set the tone for the game with an interception for a touchdown by Kurt Coleman, putting the Panthers up by 7 within the first 59 SECONDS of the game. The defense held again, and the offense marched down the field but stalled out for a field goal to put the Panthers up 10-0. Dallas answered with a long drive to put up a field goal of their own.
The second quarter the Panthers offense was marred by penalties, where the offensive drives either stalled out or settled for field goals as the ever so frustrating "conservative Rivera" seemed to be rearing his ugly head. However, we got to witness the benefits of playing it safe, as late in the second quarter Luke Kuechly picked off a pass and took it to the house for his first career pick six. After the ensuing kickoff, Luke Kuechly picked off the VERY NEXT PASS for his second pick of the game. Conclusion: Luke Kuechly isn't human.
The rest of the game the Panthers defense absolutely dominated, holding the Cowboys to just over 100 yards passing and less than 30 yards rushing in the first three quarters. By the end of the third quarter the Panthers were up 30-6 and the game was basically out of reach. Cam Newton didn't have his sharpest day, but he delivered quite a few deep passes in tight windows to Greg Olsen and Jerricho Cotchery to keep drives going. The Panthers didn't score a touchdown on offense until the third quarter, but the beauty of this team is the offense doesn't have to be clicking on all cylinders to blow a team out. Today was all about defense.
The Good
- Two pick sixes in the first half helped seal this game. Both plays were outstanding interceptions and returns by Luke Kuechly and Kurt Coleman. When the offense is struggling to punch it in, the defense steps up and creates points and turnovers. The best turnover defense in the league tacked on three more today, and they came early when the game was still very close. I love the "take it to the house" mentality of this defense, very reminiscent of the 2007 Super Bowl Chicago Bears, who stormed into the Super Bowl with an opportunistic defense and special teams. Biggest difference here is the Panthers offense is much more effective and fueled by one of the most dynamic players in the game in Cam Newton.
- Speaking of Cam, I have to give a hat tip to the guy. He didn't light up the stat sheet today, posting one rushing touchdown and no passing touchdowns. But the biggest stat here is a zero, and that's turnovers. In a game like this one, Dallas was looking for any sliver of momentum possible. The offense kept rolling and Cam took what he was given by the defense, and that's okay with a team like this around him. He made spectacular downfield throws to Greg Olsen and Jerricho Cotchery to keep drives going.
- Cotchery really stepped up today. 5 receptions for 73 yards isn't his typical production, but as the Panthers offense kept getting itself into 3rd and long situations via penalties, Cotchery was a consistent second option to Greg Olsen to move the chains. He's doing a lot more than I would have expected for this team, and he's a reliable veteran option among a receiving core filled with unproven or younger talent.
- Yet another 100 yard rushing performance, this team likely is going to beat the record held by the Houston Oilers for most consecutive 100 yard team efforts.
- Josh Norman shut down Dez all day, whether he knocked the ball away or kept Dez out of rhythm. Dez seemed frustrated by Norman's constant jawing, but more on that later.
- Graham Gano nailed every field goal and extra point today, 6 for 6, 7 for 7 if you consider the kick nullified by a very dumb penalty on Byron Jones.
The Bad
- Last week the penalties benefited Carolina, this week they stalled a lot of drives that could have been touchdowns. Whether it was a lack of discipline or what, this team makes its mark on offense driving the ball down the field and chewing clock. Holding penalties get in the way of that. Need to cut it out.
- Speaking of penalties, I absolutely love that Josh Norman likes to jaw with the receiver he's locking down. That being said, an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for doing after the play and bad enough that the refs throw a flag is ridiculous. Norman needs to cut that out, if this game were actually close at the time it happened that could have been a game changer for really no reason. You're winning, you're shutting down one of the best receivers, keep your mouth shut or watch what you say after the play.
- I've always really liked Colin Jones, and he's made some really good plays and reads from the nickel position, but he's a stop gap player at best at CB. Hopefully Charles Tillman can get back soon, because Jones on a guy like Beasley is always a mismatch.
- The pass rush wasn't there much today even with the added boost of Charles Johnson returning. The Panthers won't face many o-lines as good as Dallas for the rest of the year, but this defense is still reliant on pressure up front.
- On a different note, you never like to see a player like Tony Romo go down with an injury. It's really a darn shame that it happened when the game was basically out of reach too. I wish Romo a speedy recovery and a return to success whenever he gets back.
What's Next
The Panthers travel to New Orleans to face the Saints next weekend. If week three was any indication, this game definitely isn't a gimme. Drew Brees will play this one, and the Panthers can't afford to take their foot off the throttle. Better to clinch the playoffs/home field advantage early than to take any chances.
Not much else to be said. 11-0 for a team that clearly has room for improvement is a scary concept. When this team is firing on all cylinders they can be unstoppable, but when they aren't games like this still happen. Great defensive effort, and from all of us at CSR have a Happy Thanksgiving and KEEP POUNDING!