What went wrong for Panthers in Week 2 loss to the Buccaneers? They’re learning from it
As the Panthers prepare for their second game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-3) on Sunday, the focus has been less on what Tampa did well in Week 2, and more on what Carolina did wrong in its 31-17 loss.
The Panthers (3-6) made plenty of mistakes to lose that game.
They turned it over four times against the Bucs, committed nine penalties for 77 yards and trailed 21-0 at halftime. It remains, arguably, their worst performance of the season, and the only game that the Panthers have lost by more than one possession.
“I think four or five of our penalties on defense in that game extended drives for them,” Panthers coach Matt Rhule said. “We had a couple of personal fouls that we were off the field and put them back on the field.”
After digging a 21-0 hole, the Panthers had to abandon their running game.
The Panthers have improved on offense and defense since that game. They aren’t turning it over as much, and the defense has played well when their top players have been healthy.
In the first Tampa Bay game, Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was under constant pressure. Carolina gave up 23 pressures and five sacks. Bridgewater often looked flustered in the pocket, and it played a big part in why the Panthers committed four turnovers (two fumbles, two interceptions).
The Panthers did a much better job of keeping Bridgewater upright against the Chiefs last week, which allowed the offense to put up 31 points against the defending Super Bowl champions.
“As long as we take care of the ball, our offense is as good as any in the league,” Panthers wide receiver Curtis Samuel said.
But the biggest issue for the Panthers continues to be penalties. In the Panthers’ 33-31 loss to the Chiefs last Sunday, the Panthers committed 12 penalties for 82 yards.
One of those penalties occurred late in the fourth quarter, and helped stymie a potentially game-winning drive.
“When you do play great teams in this league, and you have 12 penalties, or multiple penalties, that can show up to be part of the reason you lose the game,” Bridgewater said Thursday. “We understand that’s a part of beating ourselves.”
The Panthers average 6.4 penalties per game, which is seventh-worst in the league.
Rhule said he’s OK with the aggressive penalties, such as pass interference, but the pre-snap penalties like offsides, illegal formation and false start need to be fixed.
When asked what he would attribute the penalties to, Rhule answered it as if he were still searching for the answer.
“I just think we are still learning what it takes to play great football,” Rhule said. “It’s just our level of being in the moment and not getting caught up in, ‘what’s the score,’ or ‘oh, I’ve got to make a play,’ ‘oh it’s third down.’
“Don’t get caught up in all that stuff, and just reduce to everything down to, ‘I’m going to play hard. I’m going to do my job, and trust my technique and trust myself.’ ”
Required reading
+ Christian McCaffrey’s shoulder injury expected to sideline him for at least one game
+ Teddy Bridgewater not targeting DJ Moore? That’s a problem and a blessing for the Panthers
+ These weak spots on Panthers roster stand between Carolina reaching the next level
+ Rae Carruth wanted to kill his unborn son. Now the ‘miracle boy’ turns 21
+ Christian McCaffrey making history despite limited play for Panthers this season
+ Panthers designate Juston Burris to return from IR; Reggie Bonnafon to return to practice squad
This story was originally published November 12, 2020 at 6:20 PM with the headline "What went wrong for Panthers in Week 2 loss to the Buccaneers? They’re learning from it."
