The quarterback showcased his unique skill set by somersaulting into the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown as the Panthers beat the Houston Texans 24-17.
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Ryan Mallett’s comeback fell just shy in Carolina.
The Carolina Panthers had a field-goal attempt blocked in Week 1 against the Jaguars, and it happened again Sunday against the Houston Texans, in the fourth quarter.
As soon as Kelvin Benjamin was lost for the season, the passing game of the Carolina Panthers figured to be a problem. “He was resilient. He tried to bring us back there at the end we just were a play short there”.
Panthers quarterback Cam Newton wasn’t surprised by the duo’s performance.
Carolina started poorly, with three incomplete passes from Newton and a false start by tackle Mike Remmers. That was good. Cam Newton scored three times including a rushing touchdown.
Ryan Mallett ran for a 6-yard touchdown, cutting the Texans deficit to 24-17 late in the fourth quarter. He has 132 yards passing, one touchdown pass, one interception. One was a 36-yard touchdown over the middle.
Newton described his emotions in that snap decision more like an avid roller-coaster enthusiast than a National Football League first round draft pick, telling reporters after the game, “my heart was in my socks”. He accounted for 51 of 80 yards on a drive that chewed up 7:25. It’s now tied at 10 apiece in Carolina. He missed the final two regular season games and the two playoff games because of injury.
The Panthers held a 10-3 lead at the half over the Texans in a contest that has not featured stellar play from either team.
As far as Mallett, he stepped in the 4th quarter and marched the Texans downfield to get within one score of the Chiefs. Jonathan Grimes had 6 carries for 28 yards, plus a catch for 2 yards. Hopkins was targeted 11 times and caught just five passes for 53 yards.
Despite missing two of their top players in Luke Kuechly and Star Lotulelei, the Panthers defense stepped up against Houston.
Carolina Panthers’ Cam Newton (1) dives over Houston Texans’ Jared Crick (93) for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, September 20, 2015. Newton has to carry the Panthers offense on his back, week in and week out. The Lions couldn’t get the run game going and Matt Stafford was hassled and inconsistent as Detroit move to 0-2 for the first time since 2010. “I used to get out there, so it’s going to be a good feeling to be out there playing against them”. Still, they more than did their job. He’ll run underneath blocks and use his quickness to get back to the ball. They rode their opening week win over Jacksonville on the coattails of their defense. “We put our offense in a great position, and they did the rest”.
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A two-time All-Pro, Kuechly earned NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2013 after winning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2012.
