Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) runs the ball during the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Bank of America Stadium.
Advertisement
While the 49ers certainly have plenty of improvements to make after Sunday’s loss, there is also something to be said about the team’s ability to compete against the Panthers in a game that was built to be a much more substantial loss than even the 46-27 score would indicate. Last week against the Rams he ran for 88 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries. Cam Newton is coming off a tough loss in week one against Denver in a rematch of last year’s Super Bowl. San Francisco are still considered a bottom feeder though as they are almost two touchdown dogs in this game, and while part of that is due to circumstance as the Panthers are likely going to be furious after last week’s result, they are still not a great football team with plenty of holes to be filled.
Benjamin made a remarkable catch of a 25-yard pass from Newton on a third-and-7 play on the Panthers’ first possession of the third quarter after Ward appeared to break up the pass. Benjamin somehow maintained his concentration to regain his handle on the throw.
The Carolina Panthers used their season opener to show the rest of the league what happens when the offense is functioning at the highest level. He took one shot to the head from linebacker Eli Harold late in the game after a pitchout on an option play, but quickly got to his feet.
“It’s one of those things, that the momentum of the game really kind of sways the play calling”, Rivera said. Hyde will need the same sort of production in the run game to open up the pass game.
After a commanding 28-0 Monday night win against the Rams in Week 1, Gabbert and San Francisco lost 47-26 Sunday on the road to Cam Newton and Carolina. Left tackle Joe Staley said the offensive line’s failed efforts to deal with Carolina’s many stunts and twists on the defensive line rendered the running game moot.
Benjamin, who was selected two spots ahead of Ward in the 2014 draft, had seven catches for 108 yards and two touchdowns against Ward. Those balls he catches across the middle, I don’t think those DBs want to hit him.
“So if we could condense the field and get the ball over in the corner with some hang (time), make him go lateral as opposed to vertical, it might work for us”.
“We can’t keep going on those lulls”, Newton said. “Everybody is good. Once they scored that touchdown, it woke us up”.
Short kicks – Phil Dawson replaced big-legged Bradley Pinion on kickoffs Sunday because the 49ers wanted to pin Panthers return man Ted Ginn Jr. with directional kicks.
Starting running back Jonathan Stewart left in the first quarter with a hamstring injury and didn’t return. Hyde had just 34 yards on 14 carries, and nine of those carries came on first down for just 16 yards.
The Panthers also have second-year back Cameron Artis-Payne itching to play. Newton has struggled against the 49ers in their last two head-to-heads, leading Carolina to only 20 total points in those games.
Blaine Gabbert gave an average performance, tossing 17 completions on 36 passes including two touchdowns. Reminiscent of the drop he had against MLB Luke Kuechly (Candlestick) back in 2013, McDonald’s receiving game continues to be up-and-down despite the 75-yard touchdown. The Panthers would be the beneficiaries of a fumble later in the quarter as linebacker Shaq Thompson scooped the loose football and returned it for a touchdown, the first of his NFL career.
Advertisement
Newton in the second quarter was slammed hard to the ground by 49ers linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong after hurdling cornerback Jimmie Ward for 4 yards on second-and-5 at midfield. That should allow the Panthers to extend their NFL-best streak of games with at least 100 yards rushing to 29, and once San Francisco’s talented front seven is back on its heels, Newton and his receivers can begin to go vertical. With 121 career touchdown passes, he holds the Panthers’ all time record.
