Yes, the game was a complete and total disaster for the Carolina Panthers in every possible aspect as San Francisco mauled, gashed, pounded, annihilated and embarrassed them to the tune of a 51-13 drubbing.
It was the third-most points ever given up by a Carolina team and the third-worst loss. Oakland in 2000, and Pittsburgh last year, each scored 52. The Raiders won that game 52-9, which is the biggest defeat.
But in a strange way, the thorough beating by the 49ers (7-0) actually may have worked in the favor of the Panthers (4-3).
Had this been a close loss, or even a Carolina wins, it would have been very difficult for head coach Ron Rivera to reinsert quarterback Cam Newton, who has lost eight straight games, as the starter next week against Tennessee. Kyle Allen had won five straight games, including four this year, as Newton’s replacement.
Now, after Allen’s three interceptions – the first ones of his career – and the dismantling, provided that Newton is healthy enough, Rivera can now insert him as the starter without the public relations headache that would’ve happened had the team won or nearly won against San Francisco.
Making the situation even better for the Panthers is that Newton will face a very mediocre Titans team at Bank of America Stadium. It’s a game Carolina should win. Early odds have the Panthers as a 4.5-point favorite over Tennessee (4-4).
It’s hard to imagine that even if Newton was fully healed from his injured foot that he would’ve been the starter against the 49ers, which boasts one of the best, if not the best, defense in the NFL.
If Newton had played over an undefeated Allen and then lost, it would have been a nightmare for the front office.
But with the loss the way it happened, the road is clear for Newton starting against the Titans should he be healthy enough to do so.
Rivera wouldn’t discuss the immediate future of Newton after the game.
“Cam is still rehabbing,” Rivera said after the game. “There doesn’t have to be a lot of questions, either. Just so you know that. I’ll tell you guys where he is on Monday, I’ll tell you where he is on Wednesday. You don’t need to ask after that, to be honest with you.”
Don’t make the mistake thinking that Allen’s three interceptions are what caused Carolina to get blown out. The game was nearly over before they were thrown. Of course, Allen didn’t help the situation, but he wasn’t the root cause.
“Once he got behind the 8-ball a little bit, I think he pressed and tried to make some throws that he probably didn’t need to,” Rivera said. “I think there were some others throws he could’ve made, but again, he was trying to win a football game.”
The defense struggled in every aspect.
San Francisco ran for 232 yards and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo completed 18-of-22 passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns. The safety tandem of Eric Reid and Tre Boston particularly had all kinds of issues as they were routinely beaten in pass coverage.
As for the offensive line, Allen was sacked seven times, with six of them coming in the first half. Carolina had given up 16 all season.
Special teams weren’t exactly special, either. The team continued to have issues fielding kicks, as a kickoff and punt were muffed.
Regardless of which quarterback starts against Tennessee, the defense and offensive line are going to have to play much better.
And Rivera said he’s going to ensure that happens.
“I’m not going to sit here and criticize. I’m going to take the blame,” he said. “We got beat by a better football team today. It’s on me as the head coach to make sure we do things the right way.
“Whatever happened, happened on that football field will be corrected, and that’s all we can do. I’m not going to look back and I’m not going to put blame on anybody but myself. It’s that simple.”
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