TAMPA, FL – OCTOBER 29: Working again Jonathan Stewart #28 of the Carolina Panthers is stopped by center linebacker Kwon Alexander #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout a carry within the first quarter of an NFL soccer recreation on October 29, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photograph by Brian Blanco/Getty Pictures)
The Carolina Panthers are locked in a defensive battle with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and take a 10-Zero lead into halftime.
Coming into Week eight, this had the makings of an offensive shootout nevertheless the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers defenses have stepped up. The Panthers although have been capable of finish their landing drought due to a Jonathan Stewart run and that’s the distinction because the Panthers lead 10-Zero.
These are some notes from the primary half of Week eight for the Panthers.
Panthers get manufacturing from run recreation
The Carolina Panthers seem to lastly have discovered some success within the run recreation with 61 dashing yards within the first half and averaged over 4 yards per carry.
Nonetheless, it has been a group effort because the Panthers have three gamers with double digit dashing yards led by Jonathan Stewart with 16 and the primary dashing landing for the Panthers this yr by somebody aside from Cam Newton. It additionally tied a franchise report, set by DeAngelo Williams, for dashing touchdowns.
RB Jonathan Stewart scores on 1-yd rush. 53rd whole TD of profession, tying D. Williams (2006-14) for 2nd-most in franchise historical past
— Panthers PR Dept. (@PanthersPR) October 29, 2017
Nonetheless, the simplest operating again within the first half might have been Cameron Artis-Payne. The Panthers’ chief in dashing yards this preseason lastly noticed obtained some carries and picked up 14 yards on three carries. A majority of these carries befell within the pink zone, an space the Panthers have struggled, that arrange Stewart’s landing.
Panthers make change on the punt return
The Carolina Panthers made a change on their punt return towards the Bucs and just lately signed Kaelin Clay obtained the beginning. Clay was traded to the Buffalo Payments at the start of the season for cornerback Kevon Seymour.
The Payments launched Clay earlier this week and the Panthers have been capable of convey him again. He replaces rookie Christian McCaffrey, who has been the first punt returner. This may very well be a transfer by the teaching workers to restrict McCaffrey’s workload.
Welcome again Luke Kuechly and Kurt Coleman
The Carolina Panthers obtained two of their key defensive starters again for this recreation with the return of Luke Kuechly and Kurt Coleman. These are two of the highest leaders on this protection and when they’re on the sector, this protection is hard to beat.
Kuechly and Coleman lead the Panthers in whole tackles with 4 every. Coleman although helped make the play of the half with a turnover when he recovered a fumble that was pressured by Julius Peppers.
The return of those two has been a giant increase for the protection and they need to proceed to provide Jameis Winston and this offense bother.