Panthers look to stay unbeaten
Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman is getting a little bored with the lack of balls being thrown his way.
That happens when you earn the reputation as a shutdown cornerback with big-play potential.
It’s also why Norman is excited that T.Y. Hilton and the Indianapolis Colts are coming to town Monday night.
Norman is expected to be matched up one-on-one with Hilton, who has been targeted on average more than 10 1/2 times per game, including 15 times last week against the New Orleans Saints.
Norman is a huge reason the Panthers are 6-0. He’s tied for the league lead with interceptions returned for touchdowns. He was chosen NFC defensive player of the month for September.
But the past two weeks his production has plummeted.
“I can’t reach my goal without being thrown to,” Norman said.
It’s hard to imagine Andrew
Luck, even with as badly as he’s struggling with turnovers, not throwing to his favourite receiver. Hilton ranks sixth in the NFL with 606 yards receiving on 37 receptions and three touchdowns.
Things to watch for in the Colts-Panthers game Monday night:
LUCK’S STRUGGLES: This season’s most glaring problem in Indianapolis has been Luck’s poor play. He has completed 56.2 per cent of his passes, is tied for third in the league with nine interceptions, and has the thirdlowest passer rating among qualified quarterbacks — that despite missing two games with an injury.
STEWART ON THE RUN: Jonathan Stewart is spearheading the Panthers No. 1-ranked rushing attack with 203 yards rushing and two touchdowns in his last two games.
THE WRONG CALLS: Chuck Pagano is under fire because of Indy’s record. It’s not just wins and losses. In each of the past four games, there have been questionable play calls on the field. They can’t afford more such mistakes.
CHANGE OF PACE: Indy heads to Carolina after back-to-back losses. It’s only the third time in Pagano’s 3 1/2 seasons the Colts have lost consecutive games — and they’ve never lost three straight in his tenure.
NEWTON ON THE RUN: Cam Newton needs one more rushing touchdown to move into a tie with Kordell Stewart for second place all-time for TDs by a quarterback with 38. Steve Young is the record holder with 43, a record Newton could break by the end of this season.