Carolina Panthers: 4 TDs by Cam Newton, good defense beat Cincinnati

CAR vs. CIN – Offense

Line play was the ball game. The question on many lips was the switching around of personnel to cover injuries, and how long that area would remain a question mark. ‘Until its not’ was the legitimate, better-focused answer now.  It might not be 13 more dynamic weeks totally fixed, but it was THE definitive unit yesterday, with a nod to Ryan Kalil, who is playing at a high level after being gently used during preseason. His communicating with new left tackle Chris Clark the last two weeks is a major reason Newton has only been sacked three times.

Funchess caught four (67 yards, TD) and every one was a frozen rope. First was a 16 yarder, then a 27 yard pass all alone- sandwiched around a 5-yd. run with three tacklers on him by McCaffrey- and then a four-yard laser to Funchess for his first score of the year. Turner’s offense ALWAYS produces 1,000 yard run/catch people, there’s no reason to think Funchess will be ‘fed’ differently based on last two games. One VERY high throw late in game shows just what full out looks like for him, he should be used in red zone.

Like Anderson, D.J. Moore will be ready for his next moment. Coach Ron Rivera had to be smiling about the successful ground pounding as clock factor- over 34:00 minutes of possession- and there were a lot less passes to catch this week.

Newton has been sacked six times this year. Part of that is his mobility, but definitely about getting ball out quicker. Even when he kept, upright in pocket, finding guys.