Carolina Panthers 2011 regular season Review: A precursor to a bright future - NFL Special part V
Continued from Part IV
At Houston
The Panthers bounced back from their defeat to the Atlanta Falcons in style as they defeated the Houston Texans 28-13 to take their record to 5-9 for the season.
Newton once again played a pivotal role in the win as the Panthers completely outclassed the AFC South side.
The rookie quarterback passed for two touchdowns and made another for Richie Brockel using a brilliantly executed trick play to give Carolina a 21-0 lead in the first half.
The Texans could not make a single meaningful play during the game and could just manage two field goals and a touchdown, as they went on to lose the game 28-13.
Newton’s turnovers of the football had decreased considerably in the last few games. Newton said of his better work with the football.
"I think that's the key to success for the Carolina Panthers offensively," Newton said. "I look at other quarterbacks across the league and when they do a good job of protecting the football that's just the key to the win."
Against Tampa Bay
The Buccaneers by week 15 had not won once in their previous eight games and the Panthers took full advantage of their poor form to take home another victory.
Carolina never broke a sweat throughout the game as the sorry Buccaneers were lacking any energy or drive and Newton completely decimated the Bucs defence to give the Panthers a huge 48-16 win.
The rookie quarterback passed for three touchdowns and a total of 171-yards in their easiest victory of the season.
Newton also rushed for a brilliant 49-yard touchdown to take his season record up to 14 while he also managed to break Peyton Manning’s rookie season passing yards record during the rout.
The Panthers were always in control building up a huge lead of 41-10 at the end of the third quarter and they scored another touchdown in the final 15 minutes to win the game 48-16.
Carolina were performing better with every game and coach Ron Rivera said that the talent in the locker room is enough to help the Panthers take the step to a new level next season.
"I believe there is certainly that kind of talent in the locker room where we can certainly take the next step and become a very competitive football team (next year). We have that ability."
At New Orleans
The Panthers faced their final game on the road to a dominant New Orleans Saints side and even Newton’s heroics could not help the franchise end the season on a winning note.
Carolina tried to keep pace with Saints quarterback Drew Brees and managed to remain in contention at the end of the first half as they trailed the Saints 24-17.
Brees, though was not holding back and in the second half put the game to bed with three touchdown passes to rout the Panthers 45-17.
The Future
Carolina Panthers ended their season at 6-10 in coach Ron Rivera’s first season in charge. With the new season coming closer the Panthers have a team which may well reach the playoffs this year if Newton can build on his record setting rookie season.
The Panthers have a great roster and if they manage to get some good players in the free agency and drafts may well have a team that can reach the postseason.
To be continued
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