Carolina Panthers

Four Downs: Newton finally runs wild in Panthers-Bengals tie

Published Oct. 12, 2014 11:07 p.m. ET

foxsports

There are positives and negatives to derive from the Carolina Panthers' 37-all road tie with the Bengals on Sunday -- the highest-scoring overtime tie in NFL history.

It's particularly impressive, given the Panthers' injury situation ... and how Vegas had Carolina tabbed as seven-point underdogs heading into the game.

With each passing week during the season, reporters and fans alike have been wondering if/when quarterback Cam Newton would return to his running ways.

After all, in his previous three seasons, Newton averaged 7.6 carries and more than 45 yards per game.

The 2014 carries, prior to Sunday, had been minimal, at best. And given that Newton has been nursing a surgically repaired ankle and a cracked rib, it's understandable why head coach Ron Rivera and offensive coordinator Mike Shula haven't asked their quarterback to run.

That all changed against the Bengals on Sunday.

Newton rushed 17 times for 107 yards and a touchdown, with many of the runs being straight quarterback draws -- including his one score.

The Panthers (3-2-1) broke out the read-option run offense and it worked wonders all game. It appeared as though Cincinnati wasn't expecting it and hadn't prepared for it during practice.

There were even few, if any, halftime adjustments on the Bengals' part, as a means of slowing down Newton's rushing legs.

Newton running the ball was extremely vital to Carolina's success, given the low-level production of tailbacks Darrin Reaves and Fozzy Whittaker, who combined for 17 total carries -- Newton's own rushing tally -- and 45 yards.

One thing is certain: With a running and mobile Newton, the Panthers offense has suddenly become more dangerous.

It's not exactly a secret the Panthers have struggled to stop the pass -- citing the lack of quarterback pressure from the defensive line and a secondary that's had trouble keeping opposing receivers in check.

Yes, Carolina intercepted Bengals QB Andy Dalton twice, but both picks were the result of poor passes -- nothing extraordinary from the Carolina defenders.

Dalton finished 33 of 43 for 322 yards and two touchdowns. He had a quarterback rating of 93.5 even with the two INTs.

The main recipient of his passes was Mohamed Sanu, who finished with 10 catches for 120 yards and a touchdown.

Dalton's big passing numbers occurred without Cincinnati having access to its two best wideouts, including superstar A.J. Green.

During Carolina's eight-game winning streak, the driving force to an eventual NFC South title, Rivera earned the nickname "Riverboat Ron," citing his propensity for going for it on fourth down -- forsaking a punt or field goal at that particular time.

On Sunday against the Bengals, Rivera did the same thing on two different drives late in the fourth quarter -- with both moves leading to points.

With the score tied at 24, the Panthers faced a 4th-and-2 midway through the fourth quarter (at the Cincy 37). Rather than punting or trying a long field goal, Rivera opted to keep the offense on the field.

Newton completed a pass to rookie Kelvin Benjamin to keep the drive alive.

A few plays later, the Panthers scored on a Newton-to-Greg Olsen pass, momentarily grabbing the lead at 31-24.

Then, in a do-or-die situation with under two minutes left in the game and trailing by three, Carolina encountered another 4th-and-2.

And once again -- at the Bengals' 43 -- Rivera felt inclined to go for it.

By most accounts, the Panthers have yet to play an excellent game, from beginning to end. For the three victories, they've either started slow and came on late or started strong and hung on for the win.

That aside, Carolina (3-2-1) still has comfortable leads over New Orleans (2-3; on a Week 6 bye) and Atlanta (2-4; lost to Chicago on Sunday) in the NFC South standings.

With none of the South teams bearing the look of a powerhouse, there's a very-real chance that nine victories could win the division.

That's why Carolina mustering a tie on the road against a team that had blasted Atlanta earlier in the season was a big deal.