Thanks for checking out my review of the Carolina Panthers, Green Bay Packers game on September 18^th 2011. Please check back here for Panther game previews and reviews all season. Feel free to leave a comment and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

The Packers defeated the Panthers by the score of 30 to 23 in a game that went down to an onside kick recovered by Donald Driver to seal the deal. Cam Newton had his second 400 yard passing game in the loss to the Packers. Cam ended up completing 28 of 46 for 432 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions.Newton also ran for 53 yards and a rushing touchdown that led to the onside kick which failed.

Cam Newton’s 854 passing yards in his first two NFL games has set a new NFL record. Todd Marinovich had the old record of 638 passing yards in his first two games. Don’t read anything into that, Cam Newton is no Marinovich on the quarterback bust chart. I am not worried at all about Cam Newton’s three interceptions against the Packers. Newton was playing against a good defense and the defending Super Bowl Champions.

The Panthers started well with a 13 point lead over the Packers before Green Bay went on a 23 point run. Cam Newton looked great early but started to fade a bit as the game went along. My only real problem with Cam Newton against the Packers was that he didn’t run enough near the goal line. Newton forced two incomplete goal line throws when he may have been able to run in early in the 4^th quarter.

Cam Newton impressed the heck out of me by completing a big play to LaFell after limping around bad enough that Anderson was warming up. And Brandon LaFell has arrived as a legitimate second receiver to Steve Smith. Smith had another good game with six catches for 156 yards but he had a costly fumble and was distracted by a verbal altercation with fans from the sidelines.

Jonathan Stewart really stepped up and was running hard though mostly on receptions as the Panthers never did get their running game in gear. The Panthers do not have any quit in them and once they get their red zone offense straightened out they will start winning games. I was very impressed with Charles “Big Money” Johnson and James Anderson on defense as both men had a good game against the Packers.

Charles Woodson of the Packers had a great day with two interceptions and a fumble recovery. Aaron Rodgers has his typical day but the Panthers defense played well at times and I was impressed with the hitting by the secondary. Rodgers ended up completing 19 of 30 for 308 yards and two scores. Rodgers completed a 84 yard touchdown pass to Nelson to help end the Panthers comeback hopes in the 4^th quarter.

I was worried about Randall Cobb but the Panthers special teams held him in check on returns. The Panthers are on their way to being a pretty good team and we now know Cam Newton is not a bust. Things are looking up for the rest of the 2011 season for Cam Newton and the Panthers.

Thanks for checking out my preview of the Carolina Panthers, Green Bay Packers game coming up this Sunday. The Green Bay Packers are coming off an exciting win over the Saints and of course are the defending Super Bowl Champions.

Never has a loss created so much excitement among Carolina Panther fans like the one to Arizona did. Cam Newton set a rookie passing record for yards and played beyond the expectations of even his most ardent fans.

The Green Bay Packers are expected to roll over the Carolina Panthers but there is a reason they actually play the games.Carolina has a chance to beat the Packers if they limit turnovers and in turn force the Packers into turning the ball over.

The loss of Jon Beason for the season is a huge blow to the Panthers as is the concussion suffered by Jeff Otah. The offensive line of any team needs to have the same five players on the field as much as possible. They have to play together to get better but this line is banged up.

Jeff Otah is listed as doubtful on the injury report and will be replaced by rookie Byron Bell. Cornerback Josh Thomas, wide receiver Kealoha Pilares, and linebacker Thomas Davis are all listed as probable.

For the Carolina Panthers to stay in the game with the Green Bay Packers, the running game must improve. Cam Newton can’t be expected to have another 400 yard game. “Double Trouble” DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart need to run the ball well and control the clock, thus keeping Aaron Rogers off the field.

Original Carolina Panthers Head Coach Dom Capers is the defensive coordinator for the Packers. Capers is a 3-4 blitz guru and will be trying to confuse and rattle Cam Newton. Capers may confuse Cam but I don’t think Newton will get rattled. Cam Newton shows rare poise for a rookie quarterback.

To try to thwart the Packers blitz Carolina needs to keep the tight ends involved in the passing game. Cam Newton will need his safety valves AKA Shockey and Olsen to get open early on blitzes. I also think Steve Smith and Newton may hook up again on a long pass if the Packers leave Smith in one on one coverage.

To try to tame Aaron Rodgers and the potent Packers offense the Panthers will be blitzing a lot themselves. The Panthers will need another good game from Chris Gamble who played well against Larry Fitzgerald last week.

My biggest concern from the Packers offense is them running the ball effectively and wearing out the Panthers linebackers. Also while Jermichael Finley has an ankle injury he is a threat against the Panthers this week.

The Panthers also must fear rookie returner/receiver Randall Cobb who is a very exciting player.Carolina gave up a punt return touchdown last week to Peterson of the Cardinals though Mike Goodson almost ran him down.

I hope the Panthers can keep the game close and win it at the end but the Packers are a very formable opponent. Cam Newton will probably look more like a rookie against the Packers but it is all part of his learning curve. One thing about Cam Newton is he hates losing and he may just help the Panthers upset the Packers.