Carolina Panthers

Panthers Three Takeaways: Week 10 vs. Chiefs

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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After a series of miscues offensively in the second half, the Carolina Panthers fell on Sunday to the Kansas City Chiefs 20-17…

After a close win against the Rams two weeks ago, the Panthers were on the other side of a close contest, falling 20-17 against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.

In the past three losses, the point differential combined has been nine points. Two last second field goals against Kansas City and Tampa Bay now have the Panthers at 3-6 and on the outside looking in on the playoff race.

Defensively, the Panthers looked stout until the waning minutes when the Chiefs were able to put up six points on two drives led by veteran quarterback Alex Smith. A pick six by Eric Berry in the fourth quarter pulled the Chiefs to within three and overall turned the momentum to the Chiefs favor.

With Carolina on a short week in a pinnacle Thursday night matchup, what takeaways from Week 10 can the Panthers use to find themselves in the win column again?

Offensive Playcalling Must Last Four Quarters

Things looked up for the Panthers after the first half, taking a 17-3 lead into the break. But after a series of miscues in the second half Carolina failed to put up any points. A ten minute, 20 play drive resulted in a punt. In all, the second half had five Panthers drives resulting in three punts and two turnovers.

Nov 13, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) is wrapped up by Kansas City Chiefs inside linebacker Ramik Wilson (53) and nose tackle Dontari Poe (92) in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive coordinator Mike Shula has to be held accountable for the Panthers inability to sustain offensive execution for a full contest. In addition, the Panthers failed to get the ground game going, settling for only 99 total rushing yards in a run-heavy influenced system.

Postgame, tight end Greg Olsen commented on the Panthers inability to score in all four quarters stating, “You can’t be up 17-3 at half, go on a drive for what felt like the whole quarter, have the ball on the 20, and not even attempt a field goal,” Olsen added, “That’s why we lost the game, things like that.”

The Dab Is Back…Results Aren’t

This season has been a step back for the reigning regular season MVP, Cam Newton. Last year, Newton threw only 10 interceptions in 16 starts. Through eight starts this year that total has already climbed to seven. A late pick six thrown to Eric Berry ended up being the only touchdown scored in the second half.

Despite having leading wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin back, Newton’s completion percentage has decreased this season. Among 33 qualifying quarterbacks, Newton ranks 30th in completion percentage. After an 11 play, 80-yard drive that resulted in a four yard Newton TD run, the “Dab” was celebrated in the endzone after being retired, unofficially, by Newton at the end of last season. Despite the early execution, the Panthers sputtered late when it mattered most.

Nov 13, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) reacts after his rushing touchdown in the second quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Newton spoke postgame about keeping aggression on offense during the entire duration of the game stating, “For us, it’s just everybody, eleven guys on one side of the ball to focus and hone in and say that “I’m going to hone in and police myself knowing that I have people that are trusting and depending on me.”

Special Teams Takes a Hit

In the preseason, the Carolina Panthers traded a fourth round pick to the Cleveland Browns for veteran punter Andy Lee. Unfortunately Lee suffered a pulled hamstring in Sunday’s defeat, and has been put on season ending Injured Reserve.

Lee was a spark on special teams for the Panthers. Through eight games as the starting punter, Lee averaged 49 yards per punt including 18 inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. Michael Palardy, whom the Panthers signed earlier in the year to compete in training camp has been re-signed and will assume Carolina’s punting duties moving forward.

Formerly a player at the University of Tennessee, the left footed Palardy was was named first-team All-Southeastern Conference by ESPN.com in 2013 after leading the nation with 33 punts that landed inside the 20-yard line and most recently was a part of the Atlanta Falcons practice squad.

Next week, the Panthers are on primetime at home in a Thursday Night Football matchup against the division rival New Orleans Saints.

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