10 quick thoughts on Carolina Panthers loss at the Falcons in Week 8
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers missed 1st half opportunities
The pick-six from P.J. Walker sent the Carolina Panthers in at halftime behind. But in truth, they missed a series of opportunities throughout the opening two quarters and paid the price late on.
One could make a strong case that Carolina should have been three scores up before the Atlanta Falcons started clicking. And once again, the Panthers’ defense was not the cause of these complications.
Carolina Panthers RB D’Onta Foreman was incredible
Christian McCaffrey’s trade to the San Francisco 49ers and an injury to Chuba Hubbard meant D’Onta Foreman took center stage for the first time in Week 8. This was the chance he’d been waiting for and the running back made the most of it with another eye-catching performance.
Foreman’s physical running style caused problems all afternoon en route to 118 rushing yards and three touchdowns from 26 carries. Another sign that the former Texas star should have been given meaningful carries from the start of the season.
Carolina Panthers defense started well but faded
There was a lot to like about the way Carolina’s defense performed. They started on the front foot with Donte Jackson’s interception and continued in a similar fashion throughout.
Had the offense been a little better this season, then the defensive side of things would be getting more love. But it’s not hard to see why general manager Scott Fitterer is keen to keep this young core together despite plenty of trade interest coming their way, even if they did fade a little late on before C.J. Henderson’s overtime interception.