Atlanta Falcons

Panthers Three Takeaways: Week 4 vs. Falcons

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

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Following are three key takeaways from the Carolina Panthers divisional loss to the Falcons on Sunday…

Oct 2, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; The crowd reacts after Atlanta Falcons cornerback Robert Alford (23) returns an interception for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of their game against the Carolina Panthers at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons won 48-33. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

September has been a month to forget for the Carolina Panthers. With a defeat at the Georgia Dome against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, the Panthers fall to 1-3 on the season and now have a losing record in divisional play. Many mistakes were made on both sides of the ball and for the third time in four weeks, the Panthers lost the battle of turnover differential as a final interception sealed their fate against the Falcons.

Also of concern is the health of quarterback Cam Newton moving forward. Newton has taken more hits than any other player in the league during the first four games of 2016 and exited on Sunday after suffering a concussion near the goal line. As his status remains questionable for the upcoming week, Carolina has announced it will proceed as if he will be available.

Facing a dangerous divisional opponent in prime time, the Carolina Panthers need improvement in a variety of areas. Being absent your starting quarterback and reigning league MVP is not a good place to start for a team looking to rebound on Monday night.

Oct 2, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) runs for a touchdown against Carolina Panthers cornerback Bene’ Benwikere (25) in the fourth quarter of their game at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons won 48-33. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Pass Rush Fails, Secondary Left Vulnerable

During the offseason, corner backs Josh Norman, Charles Tillman, Courtland Finnegan and veteran safety Roman Harper all departed. Some of these positional vacancies were filled in house and the draft brought in the likes of James Bradberry and Daryl Worley. However, a lack of veteran presence in the secondary is clearly evident, as the Panthers allowed the first ever 500 passing and 300 receiving yards combination in NFL history to Matt Ryan and Julio Jones respectively.

Unfortunately, secondary woes are not the entire culprit. While the Panthers are top ten in quarterback hurries so far this season, the front seven was only able to sack Ryan three times. Most of the afternoon, Ryan was given time for deep routes to develop, and with a top tier receiver in Jones, the youthful secondary had no chance.

It is a structural fault to have the front seven’s performance tied to the hip of the secondary. But it is the exact position that the Panthers find themselves in this season. They will have to work and ensure the front seven performs up to the task or else this result will become a recurring theme this season.

Oct 2, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) walks off of the field after getting injured in the fourth quarter of their game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons won 48-33. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Cam Injured, Was He Really Healthy?

During the third quarter of the game, quarterback Cam Newton sustained a concussion on a two point play in which he received a helmet to helmet hit that saw him stumble to the ground. Newton remains in the NFL concussion protocol and will need to be cleared by an independent neurologist in order to take the field on Monday night at Bank of America Stadium.

Injuries appear to be lingering for Newton ever since the week one shellacking that he received from the Denver Broncos. Last week, he fell awkwardly on his ankle and was slow to get up. All of these brutal hits take their toll, even on a physical player such as Newton.

Cam Newton suffered a concussion after taking a hit he didn’t even need to take https://t.co/6CkoHhyYkq pic.twitter.com/4vCJkFIhXE

— SB Nation NFL (@SBNationNFL) October 3, 2016

On a distinctive play from Sunday, Newton did not have his feet pointing in the right direction and ended up throwing a ball far behind a wide open Ted Ginn on a simple drag route early in Sunday’s game. Even the lowliest of backups can make that throw, and throughout the game Newton continued making overthrows and miscues that did not resemble the on field product Newton displayed last season.

Even before Sunday’s concussion, Newton has displayed a regression from last year that may not be the result of poor play, but poor health. Even if he is cleared to suit up for Monday’s game, a completely healthy Newton is more valuable than one that is beaten and bruised. It may be wise for the coaching staff to sit him out, until he returns to full health.

Sep 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Carolina Panthers punter Andy Lee (8) against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Panthers 21-20. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Andy Lee Proving His Worth

One positional battle that was quelled in the offseason was the acquisition of punter Andy Lee for a fifth round draft pick. Many believed that high of a pick was overpaying but Lee is here to prove the naysayers wrong. Lee’s average punt on Sunday was 50 yards, and four out of his six punts pinned the Falcons inside the 20-yard line, including three inside of the five yard line. These punts make the opposing offense have a limited playbook while opening up the possibility for the defense to make a big play. Kurt Coleman did just that on Sunday with his pick-six that opened the scoring for the Panthers on Sunday in the second quarter.

Booming punts from special teams are often an oversight from fans, but their play can be invaluable to a team. That is precisely what Lee has brought to the table through a quarter of a season.

Next week features a nighttime divisional showdown at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While it remains early in the season, a win is nearly essential to ensure the Panthers do not slip too far behind in the standings.