The Carolina Panthers entered Sunday's game against the Baltimore Ravens wanting to desperately erase the embarrassment that transpired the previous week on national television against Pittsburgh. Unfortunately, it was nearly an exact duplicate for the Panthers as they lost 38-10 at Baltimore. Here are four key points taken from the game:
After the Panthers (2-2) released receiver Steve Smith, who had spent his entire 13-year career with Carolina, he vowed that fans should wear their goggles to the game if he ever played against them because there would be "blood and guts" everywhere.
He wasn't too far off.
Smith came right out of the gate with big plays for the Ravens. On their very first play, Smith caught a 17-yard pass and the table had been set. He finished with seven receptions for 139 yards and two touchdowns, with his biggest catch coming on an unconventional 61-yard touchdown reception. Smith caught the deep pass after it had deflected off another receiver's fingertips and bounded perfectly into his waiting grasp. He caught it in perfect stride and went the distance for the score.
However, maybe the most surprising aspect of it all was how relatively reserved he was after the big catches and two touchdowns.
Over the course of his career, Smith never needed much reason to showboat, even on the most mundane of catches. But he did toss the ball into the stands after he got back to the sideline, which will cost him a $5,000 fine by the NFL.
There's little doubt it was worth every penny.
One thing the coaching staff of the Panthers went into the season not even remotely worrying about was how their rushing defense would hold up. After all, Carolina's front seven are considered to be one of league's best. However, over the last two games, the Panthers have been gashed on the ground like they haven't been since 2012.
Considering that Carolina was second in the NFL last season in rush defense, giving up just 86.9 yards per game, what has happed over the last two weeks has to come as a major shock.
Baltimore's running backs rushed for 124 yards on 29 carries and scored two touchdowns. Last week, the running backs of the Steelers exploded for 265 yards on 31 carries and a touchdown. Combined, that's 389 yards and three touchdowns on just 60 carries, which equates to staggering 6.48 yards per rush.
If the Panthers are going to be successful offensively, running the ball is an absolute must. Outside of a decent showing on the ground in Week 1, the rushing attack of Carolina has been virtually nonexistent.
Thus far, Carolina's running backs have toted the ball 81 times this year for just 233 yards and one touchdowns, which breaks down to a woeful 2.88 yards per carry. Against the Ravens (3-1), the Panthers managed just 60 yards on 23 rushes.
To put that in perspective, the Steelers rushed for more yards in one game against the Panthers than Carolina has rushed for in four games.
While it's true that the running backs of Carolina have been plagued with injuries this season, it's also true that the offensive line has had major issues in opening up running lanes, which is something that was painfully evident during the preseason.
With the Panthers not being an explosive and quick-strike offense, getting production out of the running game is imperative if they are going to make a run to the playoffs.
Another aspect with the Carolina defense that has to be concerning for the coaching staff is how easy the opposition has been able to score the last two weeks. The Ravens pumped in 38 points, which comes on the heels of Pittsburgh scored 37, which is a total of 75 points allowed. Conversely, Carolina has managed to score just 73 points all season.
Last season, the Panthers allowed just 15.1 points per game, which ranked second only to Seattle.
Baltimore scored on six of its first eight possession, with one of the failed possessions being a missed field goal. Add that to last week and the Carolina defense has allowed scores on 12 of the last 16 possessions. Even worse, the Panthers allowed eight touchdowns on 12 consecutive possessions over the last two games.
Unless Carolina fixes the running game and their defense quickly, it could make for a very long season in Charlotte.
