Three Carolina Panthers to watch: Tennessee Titans

The Carolina Panthers were absolutely pummeled in San Francisco on Sunday. In what could be their last game without Cam Newton, the Panthers must find a way to win against a hot Titans team back home. 

Oof. The result of Sunday’s 51-13 drubbing still stings and can’t help but force Panthers fans to think back to a similar result from a 2018 game in Pittsburgh. That 52-21 loss was the first of seven consecutively for a promising looking Carolina squad.

The Panthers can not let this loss become a losing streak again. Not only for their record, but for their psyche. Carolina faces one of the more difficult second half schedule in the NFL, with Tennessee looking relatively as if it should be a more winnable game. If the Panthers can get a win, any kind of win, this Sunday it will do wonders for their confidence and playoff chances moving forward.

Here’s who I’ll be watching closely on Sunday.

QB Kyle Allen

Kyle Allen will start his seventh NFL game this week after finally putting a strike in the right column of his record. I’m the type to lean to the side saying that we didn’t necessarily see a worse Kyle Allen last week, just worse surrounding circumstances. Allen hadn’t really faced a deficit as a starter until Sunday. When the Panthers play calling became predictable, one of the top defenses in the NFL ate them for lunch.

With Cam Newton progressing, this may be Allen’s last start of the season, barring any further issues. As bad as his stat line may have been this past Sunday, I don’t think many quarterbacks in the league would have beaten those Niners. To right the ship and win four out of five games for this team was more than anyone could have expected or asked of him. If he can get to 5-1 in Newton’s absence, the team will be in a position for a legitimate playoff push. After week two at 0-2, you couldn’t have asked for a better outcome.

Allen has made a chunk of future change with his steady play this season, and deservedly so. I’m watching for him to bounce back this week and close out a strong string of games, but this team will need its heart and soul back if it’s going to make any noise late in the season.

DE Brian Burns

Brian Burns had been neck and neck with San Francisco rookie edge Joey Bosa for the 2019 DROY award. After Sunday, in a game where Bosa had three sacks and an incredible interception, the hype train has died down a bit on Burns’ end.

This was not helped by the fact that the Panthers coaching staff decided to sideline Burns (who has a wrist injury) for most of the game. Burns showed some frustration after the loss, claiming to reporters that his wrist felt fine even with a protective club on.

On Thursday Burns stated  that he will no longer be needing his club, sporting a small cast instead. I’ll be watching his snap count very closely this week. The Panthers defense is noticeably better with him wreaking havoc up front.

Christian McCaffrey

I am in awe of this kid week in and week out. Even in a game where nothing is going right for the Panthers against an extremely stingy defense, CMC explodes for another big game.

His fantasy point total would have been even more absurd if not for a 40 yard run being negated due to a phantom hold by right guard Trai Turner. This play could have really even changed the outcome of the entire game, but I digress. McCaffrey currently sits at fourth in rushing yards in the league with 735. The only player in front of him that has already had his bye week? Browns running back Nick Chubb with 738 yards.

Christian showed up on the injury report this week, but Coach Rivera noted that it was just precautionary. McCaffrey will be ready to go this Sunday in a must win game for Carolina at home. Just the type of game where he shines the most. I’ll be watching CMC closely, but I don’t think I’ll have to go out of my way to do so.