The Carolina Panthers are back in the win column, securing their first success in nearly a month against the New Orleans Saints.
It wasn't a pretty game, as the Panthers committed 17 penalties for 152 yards, and the offense outside of Chuba Hubbard looked lethargic. However, at the end of the day, it was a Saints pass interference that put Carolina in range for Ryan Fitzgerald's 54-yard game-winning kick.
Here are the biggest gut reactions from Sunday's road win in the Crescent City.
Gut reactions to the Carolina Panthers' walk-off win against the Saints
1. Jaelan Phillips returned to the field on Sunday with a terrific performance, tallying five tackles, one sack, three tackles for loss, and numerous pressures as he terrorized the Saints' offensive tackles all game. The Panthers' top overall pass rusher showed why he is one of the most important players on the field, and his presence makes the entire unit and defensive front better.
2. Chuba Hubbard took over the game for the Panthers on Sunday, tallying 172 total yards and two touchdowns on 32 touches. The Panthers leaned on Hubbard in the screen game late to set themselves up for his go-ahead touchdown on 3rd-and-goal with 1:49 left in the fourth quarter. It was a remarkable performance for the veteran running back.
3. Overall, the Panthers' defense was excellent. But too many offsides and personal fouls showcased an undisciplined unit that needs some work, including taming their aggression levels up front, making clean tackles in space, and improving downfield coverage discipline. Interim defensive coordinator Todd Wash has some work to do, still.
4. Kicker Ryan Fitzgerald missed a field goal earlier in this contest, but rebounded and didn't miss another kick, field goal, or extra point, again. He nailed the 54-yard, game-winning field goal to give the Panthers their first win since early October against the Philadelphia Eagles. It looks like the slump he's been in may be going in the right direction.
5. I'm frustrated with what I've seen from offensive coordinator Brad Idzik. The sequencing and offensive approach have been off too much for much of the last month, and he seems hell-bent on working the intermediate and deep portions of the field. That is fine in plenty of cases, but there have to be fewer five-to-seven-yard dropbacks and more quick game against zone voids to generate YAC opportunities. This would benefit the offensive line and quarterback Bryce Young.
6. Dave Canales looked a lot more animated and emotional on the sideline over penalties against Carolina, especially on ones that were clearly egregious calls from the officiating crew, one that didn't have the best reputation coming in. It was good to see from the Panthers' head coach, and fans should feel better about Canales understanding the criticism toward him in the moment.
7. Going back to the defense, the Panthers' run defense has taken a massive step forward in the last three weeks, stifling the Green Bay Packers, Denver Broncos, and Saints as they continue to implement their one-gap system under Wash. Derrick Brown and rookie Lee Hunter were incredible to watch in the trenches, making key plays throughout the matchup.
8. With this win, Carolina will look to establish a run with some favorable matchups in the coming weeks against the Baltimore Ravens, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Saints in Charlotte. This is a much-needed win and the one that can boost morale not just for fans but for the team, knowing how close they came in the last two contests before today. Plus, the Panthers will be getting more reinforcements from injured reserve.
Add us as a preferred source on Google