Television journalist. Reporter and host at ESPN.

Road Diary

Week 10: Panthers "Aggressive with the Softness"

 

The Panthers found their run game last night, and guess what, it wasn't all Cam Newton -- with the Panthers clocking in with 294 rush yards, 2nd highest in franchise history. This is the first time by the way they've gone for 200+ rushing yards in consecutive games.

Jonathan Stewart had a huge bounce back game - 110 yards in 17 carries, we knew what he could do. But Christian McCaffrey who hasn't set the world on fire as a rookie running back, is starting to show some impressive growth as of late -- 2 TDs in his first 8 games. 3 TDs in the last two games, last night scoring two -- one was a short 2 yard pass, the other was a 4 yard run where he put Kiko Alonso on skates - twice. 

SOT Ed Dickson He is playing unlike a rookie. A playmaker for us, glad he is here with us a great draft pick

SOT Matt Kalil I think we are a group that is just going to keep playing better as we get late into the year

 

Panthers Rushing Offense This Season

              First 8 Games    Last 2 Games<<

Rush YPG      97.6              247.5

Yds per rush  3.4              6.7

Rush TD        4                4

>> Consecutive 200-yard rushing games for 1st time in franchise history

The first 8 games vs the last two have been a revelation when it comes to te running game. averaging 247.5 yards per game on the ground in the last two games, which is the first time that's ever happened. and while cam contributed unless like some other games this season the rushing attack wasn't just cam.

Consider this - they have been without their pro bowl center ryan kalil for the last 8 games. they are gelling with the guys that they have - and brother matt kalil says they'll only get stronger and more consistent as the season goes on. up next, i don't want to get ahead of ourselves but the panthers could win the super bowl.

McCaffrey told us they are playing for a super bowl but first they want to take care of the division. they sit half a game behind new orleans and drew brees, sean payton, the panthers have your next game circled on their calendars. i asked ron rivera if 7-3 was good enough
Cam Newton said before this game the season was starting to feel special to him - just like it did in 2015. Well, that special feeling is back - and it's not just Cam Newton doing the work. The Panthers found a renewed and resurgent running game last night, Newton spreading the ball out to a multitude of weapons last night - I asked Ron Rivera if good enough? Yes, he said, we're good enough - but we could be better.