Top defense? No problem
Carolina gets strong games from Newton, McCaffrey in big victory
CHARLOTTE, N.C.» Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers didn’t wait until the fourth quarter to turn it up a notch on offense.
The result was an impressive win against the league’s topranked defense.
Newton completed 21of29 passes for 219 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 52 yards and another score as the Panthers soundly defeated the Baltimore Ravens 3621 on Sunday for their ninth straight win at home.
Valor Christian alumnus Christian McCaffrey had two touchdowns and the Panthers continued to get electrifying performances from different players. This time, it was rookie wide receiver D.J. Moore, who turned in his best game as a pro with 129 yards from scrimmage.
“We present a lot of issues for defenses and that is what this offense was kind of built for,” Newton said. “We have dynamic players all around the field.”
Unlike last Sunday when they needed three fourth quarter touchdowns to erase a 170 deficit and beat the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles 2117, the Panthers took it to the Ravens early and often.
After spotting the Ravens a 70 lead on the game’s first possession, the Panthers (52) scored on four straight drives in the final 16 minutes of the first half to break the game open and take a 247 halftime lead.
Newton threw an 11yard TD pass to Greg Olsen , McCaffrey ran for a 11yard score and leaped into the air to corral a 6yard TD pass that ricocheted off the hands of safety Eric Weddle and into his arms in the end zone. And when Baltimore (44) climbed to within 13 late in the third quarter, Newton was there to calmly drive the Panthers 85 yards in nine plays, racing in untouched from 12 yards out on a naked bootleg to put the game away early.
The Panthers rolled up 386 yards against a Ravens defense that had come in allowing a leaguelow 280.6 yards and 14.4 points per game.