Carolina Panthers have plenty of reasons to “Keep Pounding”

The Carolina Panthers are 3-2, but have plenty of reasons to “Keep Pounding”.

Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver D.J. Moore simultaneously had his best receiving game of the season and worst overall performance at the same time. Catching four of his five targets for a career high 59-yards, Moore continued to be a focal point for quarterback Cam Newton despite his early troubles.

Special teams miscues set Carolina back from the beginning as Moore failed to properly down a punt which would have put Washington back against their own goal line and instead spotted them twenty-plus yards in return. After the defense forced a punt, Moore fumbled the return and one play later the Redskins were celebrating in the end zone.

Later, Newton connected with Moore downfield only to have former Panthers cornerback Josh Norman punch the ball loose. Washington would again recover and score a field goal on the ensuing possession.

The mistakes dug a hole Carolina couldn’t quite get out of despite playing much better in the second half. After the miscues, getting the ball with 3:15 remaining, the two-minute warning upcoming and every timeout, the Panthers couldn’t ask for much more.

Unfortunately, the offense sputtered after using a majority of the clock reaching the red zone and three straight incomplete passes – needing only five yards for a first-down – ended the game.

Carolina lost on the road for a second consecutive time but there remains plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the season.