Coach Rivera: Missed opportunities, penalties hurt Panthers
“The missed opportunities was probably the biggest thing, more so than anything else, and some of the penalties,” Rivera said Monday. “We had some really good things that went on, some really good plays, then you kinda look at them and it’s almost silly to have those kind of penalties committed.”
Rivera said those missed opportunities, as well as protecting quarterback Cam Newton, need to be corrected as Carolina opens a three-game stretch of NFC South division games starting Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.
While the Falcons’ offense has put up league-leading numbers, their defense has struggled, especially against the pass. Heading into Monday night’s game against the New Orleans Saints, Atlanta is fifth-worst in the league in yards allowed (412.5) and tied for ninth in passing yards allowed (290.0), with seven passing TDs in two games.
That could be just what the Panthers’ offense needs to get back on track, especially after following up a 46-point effort against the San Francisco 49ers two weeks ago by getting shut out by the Vikings over the final three quarters Sunday.
This season, in Atlanta’s first two games, its defense gave up four touchdowns and 281 passing yards to Tampa Bay’s Jameis Winston in a Week 1 loss to the Buccaneers, and three TDs and 299 yards to Oakland’s Derek Carr in beating the Raiders last week.
That has offset a Falcons offense that leads the NFL in yards per game (451.0) and is second in scoring (29.5 per game).
“You look at the games they’ve been in, and they haven’t been complete blowouts until later on,” Rivera said. “When you’re not making plays, you’re getting attacked. We’re looking forward to it. Our guys have an opportunity to put themselves in a good position in an important game.”
