The Carolina Panthers looked like a team from years past in their crucial NFC South win over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 10.
The Carolina Panthers returned to form of seasons past in their 20-17 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 10. This game was yet another close outcome in which the Panthers had to buckle down to pull out the victory at the end. This was an important win for the Panthers from both a divisional standpoint and the overall trajectory of the team during the 2017 season.
For the first time this season, the Panthers broke 200 yards rushing. This season, Carolina has struggled to return as a powerhouse on the ground, averaging “only” 109.1 yards rushing per game. Even though the season is far from over, if this trend continues, it will be the lowest output for the organization in more than 10 years.
Seeing the team move the ball so well on the ground against a “middle of the pack” defense in Atlanta lets fans see that there’s still hope for the rushing team to get back to where they once were in the past.
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Then, there’s the story surrounding the Kelvin Benjamin trade that caught a lot of people off guard. Benjamin was shipped off to the Buffalo Bills on Oct. 31, shocking a multitude of fans and non-fans alike. Benjamin was one of the most important weapons for this offensive unit and was continuing to grow into a star receiver.
Even though his touchdowns were down this season, his reception yards were on pace for nearly 1,000 yards receiving. Many were wondering how losing Benjamin would impact the Panthers team and in the first game without him things didn’t look so great from a passing standpoint.
Cam Newton competed 13 of 24 passes for 137 yards and zero touchdowns in the win over Atlanta. While it’s too early to blame that low production on Newton not having Benjamin as a target, it’s clear that this performance is one of his worst statistically this season. The shift to a rushing-first attack limited Newton’s opportunities to pass the ball, and without Benjamin or the injured Greg Olsen, Carolina’s receiving core seems more manageable for opposing defenses.
One of the main storylines to watch from this point through the post season is how both the Panthers’ offense and their opponents adjust to Benjamin’s absence. Carolina has options in the receiving game and can spread the ball around well, but the question is whether or not the team has that big option that can make a play or distract from other players on the field.
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In one game, it seems like the Panthers have reinvented themselves into a new team. Up to this game, the Panthers struggled on offense and, while this outing wasn’t a breakout in points, it showed the Panthers can get back to controlling a game. That type of control is going to become important as they push through the second part of the 2017 season.
Carolina is still a questionable unit in the postseason picture as they aren’t even in first place in the NFC South. A return to form allowed them to win a key game against the Falcons and will continue to be a weapon in future games.