In the preseason NFL game for the Carolina Panthers this past Sunday August 17, the Panthers beat the Chiefs 28-16. Panthers coach Rivera will more than likely allow QB Cam Newton to start running a lot of read option plays as their running backs have been performing very well in the preseason. The Panthers also covered the spread.
QB Newton is coming off ankle surgery and played well, while RB Stewart ran for two TDs in the Carolina win over Kansas City. Newton threw for 65 yards on 4 of 9 passes, and led the two touchdown drives before leaving the game late in the 2nd quarter. Stewart made a strong bid for the Panthers goal line back as he scored from the 3 yard line and again from the 2 yard line.
Coach Rivera of the Panthers would like less wear and tear on his franchise quarterback. In the last three seasons, he has been hit more than any other NFL QB. They want to have their running backs carrying the ball and not Newton. That seems to be fine with Newton as his attitude is to do whatever it takes to win.
In this game at the start, Newton seemed to be somewhat out of time, as in the Panthers first three series they netted 1 yard and made no first downs. He overthrew receivers who were wide open. But RB Stewart gave the Panthers a boost as he carried the ball 17 yards on an run which seemed to boost the Carolina momentum. They scored TDs on their next two series of 66 and 50 yards. Newton missed on 5 of his first 6 passes and was also sacked for a loss of 13 yards.
The Kansas City Chiefs‘ starting QB was 14 of 22 for some 127 yards before exiting the preseason game. The Chiefs, with this loss, are now 1-1 in preseason games. They were able to move the ball without their star RB Charles, but in two possessions were only able to make two field goals by kicker Succor, and one of those was for 54 yards.
The Chiefs moved the ball against a strong defense, but had some self-inflicted negative plays, and then did not finish the game well. They are seeking another No. 2 receiver since Bowe will miss the first regular season game for a suspension. In this game, he caught 5 passes for 62 yards and none of the other receivers showed promise.
Amazingly, Aaron Murray, the Chiefs rookie QB, made his first NFL completion of 43 yards to TE Kelce for a TD, and then later threw his first NFL interception that led to a Panthers TD. There was no scoring in the fourth quarter and the game ended with the Panthers 28 and the Chiefs 16.
For the betting odds, the Panthers won against the spread as 3 point home favorites. The total went OVER the 41 point line that had been set.