Setting Stage vs. Bengals, Could Either be Big Day for ‘D’ or Shootout

Who knows what type of defense we will see against the Bengals.

Any idea of an absolutely superior Panther D was taken away quickly in second quarter of Atlanta game. Yes, the onus for loss was on defense, but again, there’s no need to burn G2X shirts. This team has veteran players and leadership, and  Washington has a unit that can be relied on against the Bengals despite last game’s humbling results.  Ryan’s 23/28, 273yds/2 TDs can’t be Dalton’s line for Bengals, and four sacks worth of RESPECT from defense would be a major plus.

Dalton and Cam Newton are both in their 8^th year, and while he’s had some positives along the way Dalton has only won a single playoff game for Bengals, last years wild card. Right now he’s got six TDs, 1 INT and sack, which are good stats, but not someone who scares you silly. Dalton’s #1 receiver is AJ Green -he of 7 straight Pro Bowls– who has caught 11/161 so far, including 3 TDs vs. Ravens in first half. Joe Mixon had179 yds. and a TD Week One, its possible he has a small knee problem now. Giovani Bernard is a ‘poor man’s McCaffrey’ type flex guy for Bengals, and was on the last Cincinnati team to visit BOA stadium, a 37-37 tie four years ago.

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How long will O-line be questioned?

How far into the season will the Panthers offensive line be questioned? Everyone knows ‘Until it’s not’ is the operational-factual reality,  and thankfully it got out of Atlanta without any more negatives. Van Roten, Mahon, Moton have proven themselves, Ryan Kalil has held steady at center, and Larsen has been more than serviceable as center-guard. They kept an extra lineman at cut-down, adding Robinson and Chris Clark to the mix was a must. LT position might be Clark’s job to lose- he’s known as a ‘left-handed player’ vs. flexibility to slide around that’s done with others.

That Coleman made it to edge without Kuechly or Shaq getting him was impressive, yes, they are very productive on third down conversions for a reason. For whatever reason, there was no mention of Gaulden in nickel coverage, and Donte Jackson catching up to Coleman after being juked early when he came up to force was best defensive play of the game. THAT was about the ‘turn and burn’ speed Jackson’s known for, add the ferocious attitude he has making tackles and you’ve got a weapon.

As The Charlotte Observer’s Scott Fowler said before ATL game:

"For all the hyperbole about the Carolina Panthers getting better and faster at the offensive skill positions in 2018, we have yet to see it happen… Sunday would be a fine time for this facet…to emerge-16 points against high-octane Falcons likely won’t get it done."

True that. Credit Coleman for every gash he put in Panthers, but Matt Ryan was spinning it 23/28 for 273 yds./2 TDs fine, and keeping him sack-free was the Falcons offensive line going toe to toe and winning with defensive line every meaningful step.

There wasn’t any garbage time in Newton’s stats

Watching the game and checking Newton’s line, there wasn’t any garbage time in his stats. Game went to the wire, he had TDs to three different receivers, it was a taste of what 71% and 335 yards can look like, and that’s a YAY! thing. Nobody’s ever going to say “Greg who?” but that’s spreading it around pretty good.  Can you say the offense operated about how most expected a Norv Turner offense would? Well yeah, 31-24 and another loss in ATL aside, it was one catch from overtime. Eventually Panthers might start going UP TOP with guys, and gawd! you have to like Funchess grabbing throws back shoulder and in the clutch.

Whether Curtis Samuel can get on the field, when healthy or relative to Jarius Wright making a number of clutch catches- like Cam’s bullet at goal line– is still a What If weapon. That 14/102 yards  (club record for receptions) to McCaffrey is not a problem. Maybe it *looks* like a cheap out, but Cam has gotten necessary time to look things over, offense is almost defaulted to this, and its consistently moved the sticks. Each of several other pieces contributed- Funchess had 7/77 yds., including two catches at end, one with toes on sideline, another giving himself up so Panthers had time for a final play.

While James Bradbury will be asked to keep the tag on a series of #1 receivers like Jones and the Bengals  AJ Green  (and then Odell Beckham, Jr. and …), Jackson hasn’t disappointed in holding down the other side in secondary. Expectations about his effectiveness in sticking to receivers was supposed to allow extra moments for front seven to get sacks, and that’s still the plan against Andy Dalton and Bengals.

Without wearing rose-colored glasses about being 1-1, or fact haven’t gone upstairs in red zone, DJ Moore did have one touchdown, though not the gamer this time. Its Game 3 of season, and this team in not JUST tough on home turf, although it seldom a problem to get  home cooking with fans.

Will defense get its swagger back?

Panthers have opportunity to put swagger and Attitude back into defensive pride. Dalton has more mobility than Ryan (despite his two rushing TDs vs. Panthers, doesn’t everyone?), but he often makes enough mistakes* that have kept Bengals from posting more than one playoff win in his eight years there. (*A double penalty involving Burfick was clearly not his fault.)

They’ve scored 34 both games so far, just don’t see that here. Thought that if Ryan held to similar game stats as in opener (vs. Eagles) secondary could feel accomplished something, but there are couple guys in NFC South that can hurt you throwing the ball.

Newton should now realize he can have games like this- with 70% accuracy and 300-plus yards- more than once in a while. Funchess makes tight catches, Washington will have the defensive line in high gear, and Jackson gets his 2^nd pick of the year in a win. The threat of Hurricane Flo is 100% past, though its after-effects will be felt much longer than another loss in Atlanta, which should be fixed immediately with a win against Bengals.