Attacking defense propels Panthers

FLOWERY BRANCH — A year removed from being the losing Super Bowl hangover team, the Panthers have rekindled their winning formula.

After going 15-1 and losing to the Broncos in the Super Bowl, the Panthers dipped to 6-10 last season. Thanks to a stingy defense and some timely offense, the Panthers are off to a 5-3 start this season and look playoff-worthy again.

The Panthers host the Falcons (4-3), this season’s losing Super Bowl hangover team, at 1 p.m. Sunday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.

The Falcons have tried just about everything, but apparently there is no dodging the hangover blues.

“The hangover, it’s difficult,” Panthers coach Ron Rivera said while talking to the Charlotte media Monday. “It really is. The constant reminders of it. When they were getting ready to play New England, you sit there and you constantly hear it about the comeback.

“They were up, what 28-3, and end up losing 34-28. That’s difficult. It’s hard. Then lose to them in New England. It’s hard. It’s tough.”

The Falcons, who ended the Panthers’ three-year reign as the NFC South champions last season, are coming off Sunday’s much-needed five-point win over the New York Jets, who missed two field goals in their upset bid.

“I can only speak for myself,” Rivera said. “The disappointment, it sticks with you. You just have to work to get past it.”

The Panthers have rallied behind their defense, which has not given up a touchdown in four games this season.

Under first-year defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, the Panthers are jumping in opponent’s faces and playing an aggressive brand of football. Former defensive coordinator Sean McDermott left to become the coach of the Buffalo Bills.

Wilks, who was the secondary coach, likes to dial up the blitz.

“We are looking for opportunities to attack,” Rivera said. “We are blitzing like 40 percent more than we have in the past six years. That’s one of the biggest things that you see. It’s a very aggressive style. We have a few more tools now than we’ve had in the past.”

Strongside linebacker Shaq Thompson and vet- eran Julius Peppers, who returned to the team this season, are the main reasons why the Panthers are blitzing more. Thomas Davis and Luke Kuechly, who returned last weekend from the concussion protocol, remain the mainstays of the unit.

“They are just different guys that we haven’t had in the past,” Rivera said. “When you look at a Shaq in his third season, you find different ways to use him. We started to grow that pack-

with Sean, but Steve has taken it to another level.”

Offensively, the Panthers have shown flashes of brilliance with quarterback Cam Newton (Westlake High) at the controls.

Against Tampa Bay on Sunday, the Panthers flashed back to their Super Bowl season and crafted a 17-play, 82-yard drive that took 8:38 off the clock. A nasty defense and ball-control offense propelled the Panthers to their Super Bowl appearance.

However, the Panthers’ offense has been inconsistent and Newton has strug- gled throwing the ball down the field to wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin (traded to the Bills on Tuesday) and Devin Funchess.

Newton is clearly missing his security blanket, tight end Greg Olsen.