This game hurt. Of all the games played so far this season, this one has been the most pivotal one. Unfortunately it was pivotal in the wrong direction; the Panthers dodged left and success dodged right. Losing to the Bills 20-9 at home was a tough one to swallow. The game was one that we should have won and if a person were to look at the stats, they would have thought the Panthers had won: We produced 425 yards to their 167, we had 20 first downs compared to their 9, and we held onto the ball nearly 10 minutes longer. All of those stats would suggest domination, but they do not take into account the turnovers: 3 by Jake Delhomme and 1 by Kenny Moore. These turnovers gave the Bills great field possession and resulted in easy points for them that they probably would not of been able to score if they had to of drive the whole field. While I like Jake as a player and the persona and mentality he produces, sometimes you have to cut your losses: It is time to bench Jake for one game and try starting backup quarterback Matt Moore. I am not saying Matt Moore is better than Jake, I just think we need to mix it up a little and see if it works because lets be honest, we can't sink much lower. Then, we had some momentum going, Jake made a nice long pass to Steve Smith and Jonathon Stewart ran it in for a TD. But then Kenny Moore lost a punt just as soon as it was starting to look like we were making a comeback. Also, I was surprised by John Kasay missing two field goals. He is practically guaranteed points if he is kicking, so this was an odd sight to see. So once again it was not all Jake's fault for this loss, but we need to start altering our game plan for a little bit.
Hopefully the Panthers mix things up a little, try starting Moore for just a game, and maybe we will see some type of difference, for better of worse, and lets pray this game was not the final nail in the coffin.
-Gray
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I listened to this game on the way back up to UNC over the weekend, and the entire trip up it sounded like the announcers were expecting the Panthers to win the entire game. The difference between the offensive yards gained and points between the two teams is almost bizarre. If you were just looking at the stats, it would seem like the Panthers destroyed the Bills, though obviously that was not the case. I am beginning to think, however, that the Panthers are losing not to a long string of bad luck, but perhaps because they are not a very solid team.
ReplyDeleteI watched this game too and found it to be pretty disappointing. I'm sad about how the two closest teams to us are some of the worse in the league (Redskins being the other). I honestly don't know that I have ever seen a game with overwhelming stats like the Panthers have and lose by two possessions. Hopefully the Panthers front office will take your advice and start Moore. Maybe the change will bring a little bit of confidence and a maybe, just maybe a win over a good team.
ReplyDeleteThe muffed punt by Kenny Moore stopped all the momentum Carolina had in that game. I didn't start watching the game until the 4th quarter when the score was like 7-2. Carolina started to make a comeback but turnovers killed us. I agree we need a new quarterback, and personally I don't care who it is. The offense just is not working with Jake, and Matt Moore should be given a chance. But the offense really needs to start going more through the run game, with the tandem of William and Stuart.
ReplyDeleteThe running game is the best option the Panthers have. They need to establish more running plays if they're going to win games, since their passing game is horrible. With RB's like Stuart and Williams this shouldn't be a problem for them. As for the QB, I think that a new QB is definitely needed. Delhomme is throwing way too many interceptions so he needs to be replaced. John Fox should also change up his play book. Defense's have probably already learned his play book through film. The Panthers need a major upgrade if they want to keep winning games and if John Fox wants to keep his job.
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