Panthers put winning streak up against struggling Titans
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The Carolina Panthers are on the best run in franchise history as the NFC's lone remaining undefeated team. They've also stretched the NFL's longest active regular-season winning streak to 12 straight dating back to last year.
"We have a big target on our chest now, and everyone wants to beat the Carolina Panthers," quarterback Cam Newton said. "And that is kind of how we have always wanted it."
Yet Panthers coach Ron Rivera is worried about the next opponent, even when it's the struggling Tennessee Titans.
"They made a coaching change, they won last week, so their expectations are up," Rivera said. "They played hard, they played well enough to win, most certainly. They beat a good New Orleans team that was coming off a couple wins as well, so they did some really good things. Do I expect a fight there? Most certainly."
The Titans (2-6) matched their win total for all of last season by beating New Orleans 34-28 in overtime in rookie Marcus Mariota's first game back from a sprained left MCL. That also was the debut of interim coach Mike Mularkey, who made some scheme and lineup changes that kept the Heisman Trophy winner from being sacked. Mariota threw for 371 yards and four touchdowns in the win.
Coming off a big 37-29 win over Green Bay, the Panthers (8-0) do need to show they can finish off teams. They have jumped to big leads in their past two games, only to need some big plays to remain undefeated. This also is the first of five road games over the next seven weeks for the Panthers.
"We have an opponent that we need to go get," Panthers wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery said.
If the Panthers win Sunday, they'll ensure another streak continues. The Titans have lost nine straight at home where coach Ken Whisenhunt was 1-11 before being fired Nov. 3. Linebacker Derrick Morgan says the Titans only want a win.
"Then when you look at everything surrounding it, the drought at home and who we're playing, it's just added bonuses," Morgan said.
Here are some things to watch for between the Panthers and Titans:
NEWTON ON THE RUN: Steve Young is the only quarterback in NFL history with more touchdowns rushing than Newton. But Young's all-time mark of 43 - something he set during 15 seasons in the league - is in jeopardy. Newton, in just his fifth season, already has 38. Newton, the NFC offensive player of the week, downplayed the approaching milestone because "it's all about the wins and losses with me." Newton already has five TDs rushing this season heading up the NFL's best ground attack.
RUSHING THE PASSER: Look for Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott to bring the heat against Mariota. Carolina is coming off a five-sack performance last week against the Packers, the third time this season the Panthers have gotten five sacks in a game. The Panthers are finding ways to pressure the passer despite being without their top pass rusher Charles Johnson, who is on short-term injured reserve with a hamstring injury. Johnson returned to practice this week but isn't eligible to play until Thanksgiving Day against Dallas. Defensive tackle Kawann Short was voted NFC defensive player of the month for October after getting five sacks.
KEEP IT UP: The Titans had their best game protecting the quarterback, with the Saints only able to hit Mariota twice. Mularkey changed two starters on the offensive line, used his tight ends more to help the blockers, and went to a quicker passing game. Mariota was at his best in the fourth quarter and overtime, completing 15 of 17 passes for 160 yards.
OLSEN A WEAPON: Greg Olsen is in the midst of another Pro Bowl-caliber year for the Panthers. With top wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin out for the season with a torn ACL, Olsen has assumed the role of Newton's primary target. He already has five TD receptions in 2015, becoming the only tight end with five or more touchdowns in every season since 2008. Olsen is known for his terrific hands, pulling in one-handed grabs in each of the last two games.
CAROLINA INSPIRATION: A year ago, the Panthers were 3-4-1 on the way to 3-8-1 before winning their final four to take the NFC South. The Titans are only 1 ˆ½ games back in the AFC South despite their miserable start.
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