You have a hard choice to make this week Panthers fans. The offense exploded for a season high 45 points while the defense was lights out for most of the night. The offense racked up over 550 yards of offense, a franchise record. On the flip side the defense held the Dolphins to 100 yards rushing and 213 passing.
Here’s your list of candidates:
QB Cam Newton
It all started with Newton. After misfiring on a few passes early Newton got his run game cranked up and his passing followed suit. He completed 21 of 35 passes for 254 yards for 4 TDs, zero INTs and a 120.4 QB rating. He also added 95 yards rushing on just 5 carries including an electric 69 yard jaunt in the 3rd quarter. He was also instrumental in the Panthers converting 11 of 14 3rd down attempts (79%). It’s tempting just to stop here with this poll but others had impressive games to consider as well.
RB Christian McCaffrey
C-Mac, as Newton calls him, was the duel threat the team envisioned when they drafted him. He scored twice, one rushing and one receiving for the first multi-score game of his career. He finished with only 50 yards total (23 rushing, 27 receiving) but when the Panthers needed a conversion C-Mac was the man.
RB Jonathan Stewart
Stewart channeled the guy we remember from 2015 in this game as he rumbled for 110 yards on 17 carries (6.5 ypc). His longest run was only 18 yards so it shows he was able to to consistently rack up positive yardage and create 3rd and short situations.
WR Devin Funchess
After a slow first half (2 catches for 15 yds) Funchess exploded for two scores in the second half. This is the guy we envisioned who would step up with the departure of that other guy. The second TD was a thing of beauty, a back shoulder grab from 32 yards out that left the defender spinning in circles. Funchess finished with 95 yards on 5 catches and 2 TDs.
LB Luke Kuechly
Kuechly once again comes up with a highlight play for SportsCenter. With the Panthers offense seemingly muffing a chance to add to the r 10-7 lead before the half the Dolphins unwisely decide to throw the ball with only 0:47 seconds on the clock. Big mistake. Kuechly read and intercepted the out pattern to the TE and gave the ball back to the offense. They were able to capitalize with a TD to TE Ed Dickson and the outcome was never in doubt from that point on. Kuechly finished with 6 combined tackles on the night.
DT Kawann Short
Short led the team (yes you read that right) with 7 combined tackles including a huge 4th down stuff early in the 3rd quarter that would precede three straight TDs by the offense (4 in a row overall). The Panthers defense didn’t get any sacks on the day but they were able to harass Jay Cutler all night and Short was one of the main antagonist.
There are a lot of honorable mentions on the defense but it was more of a team effort this week. That and the fact the Dolphins offense was erratic at best.
Cast your vote now:
Poll
Who gets your vote for Panthers Player of the Game in the win over the Dolphins?
This poll is closed
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66%
QB Cam Newton
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4%
RB Christian McCaffrey
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9%
RB Jonathan Stewart
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8%
WR Devin Funchess
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7%
LB Luke Kuechly
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2%
DT Kawann Short
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1%
Other