For the second straight week, the New Orleans Saints’ attempt to leap into the NFC Playoff Picture were foiled by a blocked kick. The team has been outscored 34-3 by Kansas City and New Orleans in the second half.
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In a span of just five days, the Saints have gone from controlling every bit of their playoff destiny, to now nearly certainly needing to win out, and worse yet depending on help from others. On Thursday night, a blocked field goal at the end of the second quarter was returned into Saints territory – it would have been a touchdown if not for a penalty during the return for a block in the back behind the play – setting up Cam Newton’s scoring pass to Ted Ginn Jr.
If it felt like the Saints were taking a deliberate approach while trying to mount a comeback late during Thursday’s loss to the Carolina Panthers, it’s because they were. It’s just one ingredient in the spicy stew that is the Carolina Panthers quarterback’s, uh, unique sense of style.
“He’s in the protocol, that’s all I know”, Rivera said. Backup safety and special teams ace Colin Jones has missed the past two games. “It forces you to come underneath”.
“You’re not gonna win any games (by giving so many opportunities to the opponent)”. “It’s good that we get a fast chance at redemption”.
The injuries offered some jarring moments for a team that spent three-plus quarters keeping Drew Brees and the Saints in check roughly a month after surrendering 523 yards to them on the road. A similar scenario almost played out on Thursday night. I have had a number of fans contact me Friday and say that the dramatic scene made them cry in front of their TVs, too. The Panthers’ defense, with all its improvements the last few weeks, could no longer contain the Saints. Fact is, if the Saints get a defensive stop and force a three-and-out they have plenty of time to drive into range for a game-tying field goal.
Panthers coach Ron Rivera said that Kuechly remains in the concussion protocol but that he’s not being treated for any other injuries even though he was hit in the chest and appeared to tweak his knee while being hit in the head Thursday night. “I think that’s the most important thing”. “You want to be out there and contribute with the guys any way possible”. That was good to see Charles step up and talk like that.
Despite close losses and losing records, both the Panthers and Saints have optimism going into the season’s stretch run, in pursuit of first-place Atlanta.
Despite all that, and the fact the Panthers almost blew a comfortable lead for the second time in 10 days, quarterback Cam Newton refused to add to the melancholy mood. “The nice thing is we’ve got three more days before we start getting ready for Oakland”. “At the same time, it’s the next-man-up mentality and we have to play team defense and learn it together”.
Carolina, who held a 30-game streak of at least 100-yards rushing, has been held under the century mark in four games this season. What they do well is really beat you with a lot of trickery and hit you over the top and they make a lot of big plays. Nothing has been determined at this point.
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The Panthers running game continues to struggle this season. They held Carolina to just 50 yards on 27 carries, an anemic 1.9-yards-a-carry average.
