Carolina Panthers: Passing game looks strong through two weeks

The Carolina Panthers passing attack looks strong two games into the 2018 season under new offensive coordinator Norv Turner.

Coming into the 2018 season, there was a major narrative that presented questions with how well the Carolina Panthers would fare in the passing game. A team well known for their ability to run the ball, new offensive coordinator Norv Turner arrived looking to implement a passing attack that focuses more on efficiency.

Two games into the season, it looks like franchise quarterback Cam Newton has bought into the shift and his production gives Panthers fans, players and media members alike something to look forward to each game.

If Newton keeps up the pace that he’s exhibited two games into the season, he should easily meet his goal of breaking the 60 percent completion rate for a year. He’s sitting pretty at 69 percent, completing 49 of his 71 attempts. That comes with three touchdowns and one interception, a strong start in correcting one of the major playmaking concerns that is used to detract from Newton by his critics.

Newton showed a level of poise and efficiency within his attempt to bring the Panthers back against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Even though the team would fall short, 31-24, Newton had a strong showing in the passing department. He completed 32 passes for 318 yards. His target selection continues to improve as the Panthers continue to build additional weapons around him.

Christian McCaffrey continues to put up the type of numbers he was expected to as a multi-threat option in the offense. It will be interesting to see how Newton continues to work in the rest of the players in this receiving corps that features a strong mix of young and veteran talent.

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With Curtis Samuel dealing with injuries, they are missing a key weapon that will add depth and speed on the outside. Rookie D.J. Moore was expected to be used in the same way, but to date he has only caught one pass, but that one was for a 51-yard touchdown romp.

Watch for Samuel and Moore to develop into two big play threats that will be a great change of pace for the more efficient openings that Turner is looking to capitalize upon.

The Panthers running game is operating as strong as it has it past years. Two games into the year they’ve earned 268 yards on the ground with a trio that includes Newton, McCaffrey and C.J. Anderson. If this continues, expect the implementation of play-action passes to cause a problem for offenses that are unable to check both sets of attack for this Panthers offense.

Two games are far too early to determine whether or not the Carolina Panthers have built a powerful offense that can see them into the post season. But it is good to look at these two games and see that Carolina isn’t struggling to move the ball at this time and there’s still room for the continued implementation of key players in this passing game. That gives some hope that this unit will not return back to the days where they were called the “Cardiac Cats.”