The Packers Next Opponent: Panthers Lose To Cardinals On Sunday

by Brandon on Sep 12, 2011 12:00 PM CDT in Green Bay Packers Preview

I'm no fan of Panthers QB Cam Newton, but he went and had a monster game, starting his NFL career by going 24 of 37 for 422 yards, 2 TDs, and 1 INT. Will he have that same success against the Green Bay Packers next weekend? It's possible, but here's how they can attack him.

First, it's not likely he'll get a lot of help from his running game, which will allow the Packers to focus on the pass. RBs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart combined for 56 yards on 19 carries against the 30th ranked run defense of 2010. Second, while the Cardinals did generate good pressure with 4 sacks and 7 QB hits, in every highlight on every big pass play, Newton was able to stand in the pocket, step into his throw, and he wasn't hit until after the ball was out of his hand. Force him to move around and then see how accurate he is, while being aware that he can run for it. Also, the Cardinals secondary isn't nearly as good as the Packers, and they'll make it much tougher on him.

On defense, the game was a disaster for the Panthers. LB Jon Beason is apparently lost for the season. QB Kevin Kolb torched them for 309 yards and 2 TDs (but he fumbled twice), and RB Beanie Wells had 18 carries for 90 yards. Their secondary was already shaky, and they put little pressure on Kolb outside of stud DE Charles Johnson.

The Packers will remain heavy favorites against the Panthers, but it's gotten a lot more interesting now that Newton has shown he can make some plays in the NFL, and WR Steve Smith has apparently entered the Juvenation Machine (8 catches for 178 yards and 2 TDs). In 14 games last season, Smith only caught 2 TD passes.

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Walden will spy Cam

Should win by 14 plus and bring Cam back to reality. Grant and Starks will combine for over 150. Not sure what they’ll do but Id bet they lock Shields on Smith with Tramon out and let CWood roam and cover Olsen often. They are going to get after Cam like hes never seen!!

by Comeonarodge! on Sep 12, 2011 12:26 PM CDT reply actions

lol spy-Cam

"Show me a good loser, and I'll show you a loser." - Vince Lombardi

by AdamA on Sep 12, 2011 12:27 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

I wouldn't underestimate their running game

Cam’s performance yesterday was clearly a trial by fire confidence builder designed by the coaches. They’ll be far more conservative against the Packers. If Cam were to go all shoot out against Green Bay, he could wind up fundamentally rattled. Multiple sacks and picks. The Cardinals D is nowhere in the same neighborhood as the Packers D, which I expect is unhappy with Thursday’s performance and will be looking to build a few statement games against some hapless teams.

"Show me a good loser, and I'll show you a loser." - Vince Lombardi

by AdamA on Sep 12, 2011 12:27 PM CDT reply actions

I must confess

did not see Cam Newton coming in and throwing accurate balls down the field. Kudos to him. That said, I see Clay Matthews and BJ Raji welcoming him to the NFL in a big way this weekend.

by Wade V on Sep 12, 2011 12:46 PM CDT reply actions

After his preformance yesterday I gotta say I am a little bit more concerned than I was before, but still we should definitley win this game by a good margin.

by Packers-Braves fan on Sep 12, 2011 1:11 PM CDT reply actions

agreed

AZ does suck though.

Preseason, but still here is the line of our QBs against AZ:
Green Bay Packers Comp Att Yds Pct Y/A Sack YdsL TD Int Rating
Matt Flynn(notes) 5 6 141 83.3 23.5 2 9 1 0 158.3
Aaron Rodgers(notes) 9 12 97 75.0 8.1 2 13 1 0 126.0
Graham Harrell(notes) 7 9 81 77.8 9.0 0 0 1 0 141.2

I hope Mike Neal and So’oto come back and can take advantage of 1v1 matches since watching Clay get triple teamed isn’t very fun.

Trap game, early in the season.

by Acme on Sep 12, 2011 1:47 PM CDT up reply actions

Hope The Pack does not..

look past this game with Carolina and be dwelling on Da Bears game the following week.
It has happened before to a lot of teams. I have faith that McCarthy has them focused though !!

by Buddyruff on Sep 12, 2011 2:14 PM CDT reply actions

You honestly really think this happens? I think this is purely fodder for the media to speculate about.

The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010

by TrevorR on Sep 13, 2011 9:16 AM CDT up reply actions

Much like the AZ game...

I think the only way for GB to lose is to beat themselves.

Sure, Cam looked pretty good. The Panthers were in that game to the end and led at times. But from the start, Cards were in control, and lost it due to their own mistakes.

If GB doesn’t come out sloppy, expecting to win, then they should be fine.

In Every Climb and Place....

I am an ass hat.

by PhoenicianPakFan on Sep 12, 2011 2:37 PM CDT reply actions

Jon Beason, one of the best 4-3 ILB’s for the Panthers tore his achillies. Out for season. Ouchies.

I love Donald Driver. AND RANDALL COBB!

by arodgb on Sep 12, 2011 3:33 PM CDT reply actions

Anyone else going?

Early forecast has very pretty weather; here’s hoping it holds!

by osc630 on Sep 12, 2011 3:43 PM CDT reply actions

I'm going

I love Donald Driver. AND RANDALL COBB!

by arodgb on Sep 12, 2011 8:17 PM CDT up reply actions

Cam

He can throw. Nobody can deny that now. He set an ALL TIME debut record. Football has been played for a long time now and he obliterated the record held by Manning by about 100 yds. That being said, we should eat him alive. He IS rookie and rookies make mistakes. This won’t be another Josh Freeman game where the rookie gets his first win against the Pack. Take it to the bank.

Life is too short to drink bad coffee...

by Jeigh AK on Sep 13, 2011 1:59 AM CDT reply actions

a rookie...typo

Life is too short to drink bad coffee...

by Jeigh AK on Sep 13, 2011 1:59 AM CDT reply actions

Impressive performance

But he hasn’t seen ANYTHING like what the Packers can throw at him. The Cards traded away their only “great” corner…the Packers have 2-3 of them better than the Cards top guy right now. He’s never seen a guy like Matthews coming after him before. I don’t see Newton doing much this week…its going to be a real tough learning week for him and this offense.

The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010

by TrevorR on Sep 13, 2011 9:17 AM CDT reply actions

Don't underestimate Newton

Packers are getting too confident, when they still have issues, such as O- and D- lines. Look at Manning and the Colts. Look at our O-line and Rodgers. Feeling cocky? Newton is very young, and will make mistakes under pressure. Can GB treat this game seriously, and put real pressure on the QB? Every time we try to win a shoot-out, we put Rodgers at risk.

by DrCheese on Sep 13, 2011 10:05 AM CDT reply actions