Four Downs: Panthers get past Browns, set up winner-take-all NFC South showdown
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers moved into first place of the NFC South with one game to go after squeaking out another win, with this one being a 17-13 win against the Cleveland Browns Sunday at Bank of America Stadium. Here are four observations from Sunday's game:
With the Panthers barely escaping with another win and Atlanta handing the Saints their fifth straight home loss, the winner of the NFC South Division comes down to one game: Carolina versus the Atlanta Falcons.
It's simple: The winner between the Panthers and Falcons takes the playoff spot and will get a home game the following week.
Considering where the Panthers were just a month ago, it's nothing short of a small miracle they're in this position. Even so, they're not apologizing to anybody.
"We're not thrilled that we only have six wins," tight end Greg Olsen said. "It's not really what we were hoping for, but you know what? It's enough. Every year you set out to try to win your division. We have one game left and it's right in front of us."
It became a winner-take-all when New Orleans, which entered the week leading the division, became officially eliminated after having another meltdown at home and losing to Atlanta 30-14.
There's also the real possibility that next week's game will be flexed by NBC and shown as the primetime game at 8:30 p.m. The announcement must occur no later than six days prior to Dec. 28, which would mean Monday. According to the NFL, a Week 17 "game with playoff implications will be moved to that time slot." It would seem likely that it would happen.
Regardless of which team wins next week, it should feel rather confident heading into the playoffs, even with its poor record.
Since 2004, six teams have entered the playoffs with a .500 record or worse. Those teams are 5-1, including three straight wins.
Moreover, should Carolina win, it will be just the second team in NFL history two in its division in the season while having a six-game losing streak. The only other team to do so is the 1970 Cincinnati Bengals.
"It's win and get in," fullback Mike Tolbert said. "We're preparing for an all out war and dog fight. It's going to be a hell of a football game."
Literally from the outset, Panthers quarterback Cam Newton let it be known that his back wasn't bothering him and that the Browns could expect his usual self.
On the second play of the game, Newton scrambled for four yards and slip for a first down. The very next play saw him keep the ball on a read-option and run for 15 yards for another first down.
The tone had been set.
He finished with 12 carries for 63 yards and a touchdown. It's the third-most yards he's rushed for in a game this season.
"The effort was tremendous," Carolina head coach Ron Rivera said. "It kind of speaks to who he is and his toughness, his mental toughness, his physical toughness. But also what he means to his teammates."
Not bad for somebody that rolled his truck at least three times some 10 days ago.
When asked if he took anything to dull the pain before the game, Newton said, "Nothing special. The usual."
Passing wise, Newton had his ups and downs. On some passes he looked great, while on others you were left scratching your head wondering what he was doing. So, all in all, he had a typical game.
He finished 18 of 31 passing for 201 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
"I felt great," Newton said. "For me to come out of an injury like that, or an accident like that, all praise goes to God and it just shows that he's using me in a positive way and I'm using my influence in a positive way."
One of the main reasons the Panthers are currently on their three-game winning streak can be directly attributed to the play of running back Jonathan Stewart, who has been one of the better backs in the NFL over the last month.
Entering Sunday, Stewart had 54 carries for 315 yards over his last three games, for a spectacular average of 5.83 yards per carry. And while his average wasn't nearly as high, he was every bit the workhorse against the Browns, when every yard was at a premium.
Against Cleveland, Stewart carried it 24 times for 122 yards, which brings his last four games to 78 rushes for 437 yards, which breaks down to 5.6 yards per carry.
So why the sudden emergence of a running game that has been void all season?
"When you have guys hurt week in and week out, it's hard to get into a rhythm," Stewart said.
One of the main reasons for his recent success is the recent absence of fellow back DeAngelo Williams, who has had the worst year of his career. Williams has played in just six games, and when he has played, he's been totally ineffective, averaging a scant 3.5 yards per carry.
It has led many to believe that should Carolina not make the playoffs that Williams will have played his last game at Bank of America Stadium as a Panther.
Lost in the shuffle during this playoff run has been the recent play of the defense. It just so happens that it has gotten much better at the exact same moment that the Panthers have found a running game.
Over the last four games, in which Carolina is 3-1, the defense is allowing just 258.75 yards per game. Against Cleveland, the Panthers yielded only 228 yards and just eight first downs.
"We got rid of fat off the bone," said cornerback Josh Norman, who is really coming into his own. "The young guys are hungry hippos. They see what older guys do and they want to be great and they want to make that play."
Making the plays at the right time is exactly what the Panthers have been doing, which is why they've gone from 3-8-1 to one win away from making the playoffs.
