Quarterbacks shine as Panthers beat Patriots 25-14
The Carolina Panthers offense rolled to their third win in a row…
In a game that promised to be a good contest, the Carolina Panthers delivered. Heading into this contest undefeated, they faced the New England Patriots, who had not lost yet either. Nevertheless, they seized the moment and proved they could play with some of the league’s best in a statement win
Cam Newton looked sharp in this one. In the first quarter, he and Christian McCaffrey paced the drive for the Carolina Panthers. With a catch for a gain of eight yards and a carry for a gain of 11, the duo paced the offense in the early going. Newton did a great job of evading the New England defenders and keeping plays alive. Despite a penalty on the part of Ryan Kalil, the team managed to still get three points out of the occasion and the Panthers lead 3-0 after the first drive.
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The Patriots offense stalled as the Carolina Panthers defense held firm. Although Tom Brady and company were able to break off a few big runs, they were forced to punt as the Carolina Panthers secondary played aggressively. On the offensive end, the Panthers put together a 6-play, 58-yard drive ending in a Graham Gano field goal that made it a 6-0 game and put the Patriots on edge.
In the second frame, the Patriots got on the board first. Even still the Carolina Panthers defense held firm, allowing Stephen Gostkowski to kick a field goal to cap off a 14-play 67-yard drive. That seemed to be the theme of the first half: Long drives that ended in field goals. Gano traded field goals with Gostkowski and ended a nine-play, 59-yard drive that culminated in a 23 yard field goal with one second left to make in a 9-3 game heading into the locker rooms at halftime.
The second half did the Carolina Panthers some good. In what was a great game for Taylor Heinicke, he ran in for a touchdown at the 9:09 mark in the third quarter. A two point conversion on the part of Mose Frazier was unsuccessful, but that gave the Carolina Panthers a 15-3 lead. The team would continue to build on that lead via the leg of Graham Gano as he kicked a 47-yard field goal to make it an 18-3 game in favor of Carolina.
Garrett Gilbert came into the game for the Carolina Panthers and picked up where Heinicke left off in the fourth quarter. Mose Frazer was on the receiving end of a six-yard pass from Gilbert for a touchdown and that made it 25-3 Panthers. A Stephen Gostkowski field goal and a Mike Gillislee touchdown inched the Patriots closer, but nevertheless it was not enough. The Carolina Panthers played a well-rounded game in this one, winning 25-14
Cam Newton led all passers, going 11-17 for 142 yards. The bigger story of the game was the backups. Heinicke and Gilbert played well. Especially with a touchdown from Gilbert, it is clear the Carolina Panthers have talent at the backup position. McCaffrey led all running backs with 12 rushes for 48 yards while Curtis Samuel had three catches for 58 yards to lead the team in receiving.
Next. Glick a great hire for team president. dark
The Carolina Panthers will play their next and final preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 30 at 8:30 PM, while the Patriots will face the Giants also on August 30 at 7:00 PM to wrap up the preseason slate.