Although the Carolina Panthers have had an undefeated season so far, New Orleans gave them a run for their money on Sunday. Carolina, currently 12-0 this season, has had a strong offensive standing this entire season that has allowed them to sit comfortably at a two-game lead over Arizona for the best record in the NFC. However, the Panthers had three turnovers, including a fumble returned for a touchdown, and a blocked extra point returned for two points. Ted Ginn Jr. dropped two passes that were wide open for touchdowns, and Newton missed a wide-open pass to Corey Brown that could have easily been a long touchdown pass.
With all of the offensive mistake against the Saints fans have asked, is it to the fault of star Quarterback Cam Newton? Although several passes on Newtons part were not completed, Newton had 5 touchdown passes throughout the game, which equaled a career high.
So if it wasn’t Cam Newtons fault, than why were the Panthers so sloppy in New Orleans? Well, many believe that having running back Cameron Artis-Payne sit out for the fifth straight week has taken a larger toll on the Panthers offense than anyone would expect. With Artis-Payne out of the game and no return date for this season in sight, Coach Ron Rivera said he plans to get starter Jonathan Stewart fewer carries so he will be rested for the playoffs. Newton also took a couple of big hits against the Saints on Sunday, which resulted in him leaving the feild to be checked for concussions.
Defensive tackle Dwan Edwards stated “it would take the Carolina Panthers not playing their best for them to fall from the unbeaten ranks”, well it seems as though that almost became a reality against the Saints. The Panthers are planned to rest and recover until play-offs.