03-09-2016, 11:15 PM
(03-09-2016, 10:59 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Great support, for what you were saying about their regular season schedule. However, that does not begin to explain how they absolutely crushed both of their playoff opponents.
In a nutshell? Defense.
Against the Seahawks, Newton threw for 161 yards, and ran 11 times for 3 yards. Stewart ran well, but the defense shut out the Seahawks in the first half including a pick six. The offense shut down entirely in the second half and the Panthers got outscored 22-0. Defense had 4 sacks.
Against the Cardinals, they held the #1 offense in the NFL to 15 points with 6 turnovers. The offense helped, but how can't you when you get the ball 6 extra times? Defense had 3 sacks.
Lost in the SB due to the offense actually having to carry their own weight and just totally crumbling under it. Defense forced 2 turnovers and had 5 sacks, but the offense gave that effort right back by turning the ball over 3 times and taking 7 sacks.
Without that defense, the Panthers likely get crushed by the Seahawks. Meanwhile Cam becomes the first MVP with sub-60% completion and sub-4,000 yards in how long, thanks to his defense.
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