Carolina Panthers

Panthers Three Takeaways: Week 6 vs. Saints

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

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Sunday’s game featured a couple of triumphs as well as tribulations that resulted in a 41-38 loss. How can the Carolina Panthers regroup heading into the bye week?

On Sunday, the Carolina Panthers headed to The Crescent City and lost in a shootout that ended with a late field goal from Wil Lutz to secure the victory. As expected, both offenses were firing on all cylinders as New Orleans finished with 523 total yards to Carolina’s 406.

Veteran quarterback Drew Brees cut into a youthful Carolina secondary like a hot knife through butter, connecting for four touchdowns and 465 yards. Coming off of a concussion, Panthers’ quarterback Cam Newton was effective down the stretch. Leading Carolina on back to back touchdown drives of 78 and 50 yards, in the fourth quarter, Newton and company tied the game at 38. But with three minutes remaining on the clock, it was Brees and the Saints who had the last laugh Sunday in the Superdome.

Carolina now sits at 1-5 with sole possession of last place in the NFC South. What should the Panthers take away from this game if they have any shot at making a run at the division championship?

Stewart Effective When Healthy

After missing three consecutive weeks with injury, running back Jonathan Stewart hit the field again on Sunday and rushed for 85 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries.

Oct 16, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) runs against the New Orleans Saints during the second quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Stewart’s ability to take pressure off of the passing game is essential to the Carolina offense performing at their highest level. Newton and the offense looked relatively well over the course of this game, despite going down 21-0 early. Of course, the biggest concern here is exactly how long can Stewart continue to be a 20 carry a game back in this league. Turning 30 this offseason, it seems that Stewart will need assistance in the running game that Fozzy Whittaker and Cameron Artis-Payne hope to provide. For now, however, the bell cow Stewart will continue to ring as long as he is 100 percent.

Another Defensive Meltdown

Looking at the defensive trends, it was inevitable that Brees and a high powered Saints’ offense were going to have a fantastic performance and they did just that. New Orleans opened up the game with a 12 play, 75 yard drive that resulted in a touchdown. On their third drive, Brees aired it out deep to his favorite target Brandin Cooks beating Zack Sanchez for an 87 yard score. Then to add on, a great punt return set up the Saints inside the Panthers 30 with New Orleans connecting again for a touchdown in just four plays.

Before the Panthers could get their bearings, it was 21-0 just two minutes into the second quarter of action.

Oct 16, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) throws as Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Kawann Short (99) pressures during the first quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

In the second half, the Panthers defense held the Saints to a more respectable 17 points. But the final drive resulted in yet another collapse as Brees rattled off seven completions in a row to set up Lutz. The front seven for Carolina earned their only sack of the game on the drive, right before Brees and company marched down the field.

Most stats defensively in this game and in this season entirely are not pretty for Carolina. The pass rush is not getting to the quarterback and the secondary cannot be trusted due to their inexperience and lack of veteran leadership. Late in the game, Shaq Thompson was the man that had the assignment of defending Cooks. An indicator of just how shallow Carolina is at the corner position with both James Bradberry and Robert McClain hurt, while Daryl Worley suffered a concussion mid game.

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It May Be Too Late

For the Carolina Panthers to be in the cellar of the NFC South one year removed from a Super Bowl appearance is one of the most shocking storylines of the season. Carolina has to put the first half of this season behind them if they have any chance at trying to compete for the division championship, but it may already be too late.

After the Panthers loss, the NFC South leading Atlanta Falcons also lost to the Seattle Seahawks, but made it a game late and once against passed the eye test of being playoff contenders this season. In addition, the Panthers hardest part of the schedule is still ahead of them with matchups against the Seahawks, Chiefs, and Raiders all upcoming in the next few weeks.

This week will be a very needed bye week to regroup before a rematch of the NFC Championship game takes place against the Arizona Cardinals, at home, on October 30th.