It’s time to find out if the San Francisco defense is for real. Cam Newton is a completely different beast.
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Concerns over whether reigning league MVP Cam Newton would focus too much on Benjamin and not spread the ball around enough like he did during his MVP season a year ago were put to rest after the Panthers racked up 529 yards in a 46-27 win against a San Francisco team that shut out the Rams last week.
Stopping Superman has been on Chip Kelly’s mind all week.
“It’s tough sledding some days and then it’s got to be on the quarterback, we have got to make plays in the pass game on the outside and that falls on my shoulders”, Gabbert said.
“It’s a combination of things”, Kelly said of Gabbert’s poor numbers.
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.
Gabbert’s 28-yard touchdown strike to receiver Torrey Smith gave the 49ers a 10-7 lead in the second quarter.
“He is capped”, Newton said.
“I’m feeling great, I’ll tell you”, he said. “We can’t allow that to become an issue”. “We’re going to make you guys relive it for five more months. We’ve got to just keep pushing and plugging and see what happens”.
Newton has been the subject of some controversy already this season, as the Broncos made hit open season on his head in Week 1.
Gabbert was 17-36 for 243 yards with two touchdowns, including a 75-yarder to tight end Vance McDonald.
“How many yards did he throw for?” “. (I don’t care) if he ran the ball 10 plays in a row as a running back, when he is a passer, he is a passer”. “But we’ve got confidence in Blaine and I think he’s done some really nice things for us”. “Call the rules the same for every single person who is the quarterback”. 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. He said that it was his first 100-yard game since high school in Pearland, Tx. Kerley operated mostly out of the slot.
“It’s a lot when you’re back there, but I made the play that I could make”, Ginn said.
Next play, Newton up the middle for 2 yards and a first down. Gabbert got rid of the ball extremely fast, holding the ball on average for less time than all but one quarterback in Week 1, according to Pro Football Focus.
“I’m good and I’m glad to be out there”, Benjamin said, downplaying his contributions.
The Panthers offense would get right back to work and this drive would end the same way as the previous drive, a touchdown pass to Zero Kelvin. Stewart has had problems with his ankles before and the Panthers can’t afford to lose him. Last week against the Rams he ran for 88 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries.
Kaepernick has not attempted a pass this season.
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While it’s not the first time he’s worn interesting attire, his choice after Sunday’s game was something else even for him.
