By Ethan Joyce
Carolina (0-2) loses to Buffalo (1-1) in closing seconds
Panthers' fans saw a very familiar sit yesterday during the
team's loss to the Bills: another lead squandered, followed by a gut-punching
defeat. Luke Kuechly, the normally leveled-head and heralded linebacker, was
called on a defensive pass interference while the Bills were marching down the
field. That mistake voided an interception by defensive back Colin Jones,
allowing the Bills scored two plays later.
Since 2011, the Panthers are 2-14 in games that are decided
by seven points or less. Defensively, the Panthers front seven have looked
strong. Holding C.J. Spiller to 100 yards should be a small victory for any
team. The defense is also pressuring the quarterback, but,with only three sacks
so far this season, they are not reaching him. The teams problems lie on
offense. For one, the O-line has already given up seven sacks and 10 QB hits,
according to NFL.com. This has forced Cam Newton to scramble more and more,
leading to bad decisions. Onlookers saw the Bills rack up six sacks against the
Panthers O-line--4.5 of those belonging to Mario Williams (and cue cold
shiver).
The Panthers offensive sets just aren't yielding success
that an offense with Cam Newton in it should. Too many deep balls flew over
receivers heads, to many running plays sent DeAngleo Williams straight into the
back of his linemen, and too many times the Bills killed a drive with strong
defensive execution.
The last play of the game, where Newton couldn't even get
off a last-second pass because he was sacked for 16 yards, hopefully will not
serve as an omen for the rest of the season.
Tampa Bay (0-2) lose on a field goal again; this time at the
hands of New Orleans (2-0)
After a 60-minute rain delay, both offenses sputtered back
and forth. The Bucs ended up losing the game on a last-second field goal.
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| NOLA.com |
Drew Brees recovered from throwing two interceptions--one
of which was returned for a touchdown by Bucs' linebacker Mason Foster--to lead
his team down the field.
Jimmy Graham was the star of the game with 10 receptions,
179 receiving yards and a touchdown. The Saints' revamped defense played well,
but with Josh Freeman struggling so much this season, any defense would have
looked stout. Freeman finished the game going 9-22 for 125 yards, with a
touchdown and interception.
Freeman is steadily working his way into Greg Schiano's
doghouse. It is only a matter of time before he gives someone else a shot,
especially since Freeman will likely seek a trade, according to CBS Sports.
Atlanta (1-1) continues to roll
Matt Ryan and Julio Jones showed how strong of an on-field
connection they have together; unfortunately for the Rams' defense, they were
the ones to find out. The Falcons won the game, 31-24.
Ryan was typical Matt Ryan last night, going 33-43 with 374
yards and two touchdowns. Jones caught 11 of those passes for 182 yards,
including one exhilarating 81-yard touchdown.
Though there were a lot of positives for the Falcons'
offense, the defense is still a huge concern. The Falcons put no pressure on
Sam Bradford, allowing him to throw 52 times while not managing a sack.
Bradford had three touchdown passes on the night, all of which came in the
second half. After the pick he threw to Osi Umenyiora in the second quarter,
Bradford settled into the pocket. Chris Givens had five catches for 105 yards,
and Tavon Austin had two touchdown catches.
Atlanta had a 21-0 going to the half but barely squeaked
out this win against the Rams.
The Rams are a young team, and this loss is just part of
the growing pains process. But, if Atlanta is trying to seriously contend for
the Super Bowl, their defense will need to make some serious strides.
