Dang Carolina Panthers, did you even pinch the Saints?
It’s one thing to lose. You’re not going to win them all regardless of what you do. However, losing in a 37-point mollywopping to a division foe in the first game of the year is egregiously insane.
This 47-10 loss to the New Orleans Saints was so irredeemable that finding positives in its aftermath was futile.
“We lost 47-10. I don’t see any positives.” Robert Hunt said after the game. “The only positive I see is we got a game next week where they can try to change the outcome.”
Here are a few takeaways from the Panthers’ demolition in New Orleans.
A ‘Shook’ QB1
Bryce Young completed 13 of 30 passes for 161 yards, two interceptions, and four sacks. The opening interception set the tone for this abysmal performance. New Orleans’ defense made Young uncomfortable all game long. As I mentioned in the preview, the Saints’ front seven was going to apply pressure and force the sophomore quarterback into some quick decisions, which was the case. Young looked jittery and unsure in the pocket. It wasn’t until garbage time that Young began to show flashes of something progressive. He connected with Xavier Legette and Jonathan Mingo to set up his first career rushing touchdown.
The good news for Young is it’s only Week 1 and there’s plenty of season left. However, more performances like this one will only make the lights of scrutiny on the second-year quarterback harsher than before.
Leaky D
It only took nine possessions for the Saints to end the game, and most of those possessions were that their offense got everything they wanted. Derek Carr passed for 200 yards and three touchdowns. His 59 yard touchdown pass to Rashid Shaheed on their opening drive summed up Carolina’s inability to stop the pass. Alvin Kamara’s 110 total yards and a touchdown summed up Carolina’s struggles to stop the run.
To make matters worse, defensive lineman Derrick Brown suffered a potentially season-ending knee injury during the game. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Monday morning that the Pro Bowler suffered a meniscus injury that will require surgery, which will determine an exact timeline of recovery.
With Brown being sidelined indefinitely, Carolina’s defense will be more vulnerable than they were in Week 1 for at least the top half of the season.
