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Panthers keys to victory in Week 1

By Brandon Scott

ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 26: Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers is chased by Tyrone Crawford #98 of the Dallas Cowboys in the second half at AT&T Stadium on November 26, 2015 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 26: Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers is chased by Tyrone Crawford #98 of the Dallas Cowboys in the second half at AT&T Stadium on November 26, 2015 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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FOXBORO, MA – DECEMBER 24: A detail of a penalty flag during the game between the Buffalo Bills and the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images) /

Keep Penalties to a Minimum

The first regular season game is always a test on starter’s conditioning. After a few months without a game, these players on which team’s rely to carry a majority of the load are thrust back into action after playing only selectively during preseason contests. Physicality can be an issue but mentally it also takes a toll leading to an increase in unnecessary penalties.

Flags always seem to be more prominent early in the season as opposed to late in the year. If Carolina wants to be successful they need to limit their mistakes. The Panthers cannot afford to help out a Cowboys offense with weapons of their own, like running back Ezekiel Elliott and quarterback Dak Prescott, by gifting them yardage courtesy of the referees.

It takes some amount of time for both an offense and defense to really get on track, especially in Week 1 and benefiting from “free” yards will help build momentum – the Panthers need to avoid helping Dallas get going.

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