By Sonny Jones
Carolina Panthers are going to the Super Bowl!
Well, not really, but after three straight losing seasons and consecutive season-opening defeats even a 19-14 win Sunday against the rebuilding New York Jets is a reason to celebrate and dream about better days ahead.
Christian McCaffrey is healthy after playing only three games last season and did Christian McCaffrey type things, rushing for 98 yards on 21 carries and catching nine passes for 89 yards. New quarterback Sam Darnold quickly learned when in doubt get the ball to No. 22. However, the Panthers will need to get Chuba Hubbard more involved in order to keep McCaffrey healthy for a 17-game season. Thirty touches is about seven to 10 too many.
As for Darnold, his first game with the Panthers must have felt like a stroll in the park. After getting sacked 98 times and throwing 39 interceptions in 38 games covering the past three seasons while playing for the Jets, Darnold was sacked only once, didn’t throw an interception and was given time in the pocket by the offensive line. He responded by completing 24 of 35 passes for 279 yards and one touchdown. He even ran for a score.
The Panthers’ defense made Jets’ rookie QB Zach Wilson uncomfortable in the first half, but New York’s top draft pick played well in the second half and gave his team a chance at the end. Carolina recorded six sacks.
There’s still work to do for the defense to put together a full game, but Carolina’s defense allowed the Jets to convert only 4 of 13 third-down plays (31%). That’s a marked improvement from last season when the Panthers yielded a first down on a third down play 49.2% of the time, which was second worst in the league.
Yes, it was a win over the woebegone Jets and the playoffs may be a longshot, but after winning as many games in the past three seasons combined (17) as was won during the run to the Super Bowl in 2015 (15 regular season and two in postseason), Panthers fans should take time to celebrate.
#KeepPounding
• East Bladen High graduate Larrell Murchison was credited with one tackle in Tennessee’s 38-13 loss to Arizona on Sunday. Murchison’s teammate, Fayetteville Pine Forest High graduate Harold Landry III, had three tackles, a sack, tackle for loss and quarterback hit.
• Can the Washington Football Team decide on a nickname already? Redwolves, Defenders, Aviators, Commanders, Metros, Monuments, Presidents, Deep States, Senators, Cronies? Pick one. FT ain’t it.
• The Fumble Rooskis were routed 133-87 in their Fantasy Football opener. An unacceptable effort. I’ve called a practice for this afternoon at Bladen County Recreation Park. We’ll see if Justin Herbert, Ezekiel Elliott or anyone on the Colts defense shows up. Cooper Kupp has been excused.
Sonny Jones can be reached at wibbyj@gmail.com.
About Author
