Panthers vs. Bengals game review: Opportunities lost

Just a few early mistakes compounded to leave the Panthers fighting to stay in the game.

A valiant effort for Carolina Panthers ended in a loss against a Cincinnati Bengals team desperate for a win. While the familiar sting of losing was felt by all, the Panthers energy, competency and competitiveness made for a significantly more enjoyable product compared to the last couple years.

Of course, actually pulling off the win would have been nicer, but as Dave Canales put it in his press availability on Monday afternoon, there were too many “opportunities lost” (perhaps a cousin of Riverboat Ron’s “missed opportunities”) for the Panthers that left a “sick feeling” of regret permeating the team. While hearing about un-capitalized opportunities can get old quickly, for a Panthers team that seemed devoid of any opportunities at all for most of 2023 and the first two games of 2024, only managing to take advantage of a few opportunities instead of all of them is a welcomed improvement.

For this weeks game review, I want to go back and highlight some of the opportunities that the Panthers left on the field in the first half, that lead to them fighting to stay in the game for the final couple quarters. These tide-shifting plays were ones that looked bad in the moment, look bad in hindsight, and should serve as learning opportunities looking forward.

Not scoring on the opening drive

For second game in a row, the Panthers received the opening kickoff and looked strong driving down the field, primed to put the other other team down 7 points before they even touch the football. With a 1st and goal at the 2 yard line, the Panthers line up in shotgun on 4 straight plays. On each attempt, they failed to punch the ball in. They all had a chance, but on each play the Bengals just wanted it a little bit more. Turnover on downs.

The decision to go for it was great, after all 6 points is better than 3 points. The choice of plays, though, leaves a lot to be desired. Maybe it is just old school thinking, but 3 runs from shotgun and a fade ball to a sub-6 foot wide receiver don’t seem like the ideal quartet of goal line calls.

Not connecting on the sideline shot

Panthers second drive of the game, fresh set of downs in a still tied game, 0 a piece. Andy Dalton sees Johnson with a favorable match-up and lets it rip down the deep left sideline where the ball hits Diontae Johnson right on the edge of his outstretched hands before falling to the turf. Blame the receiver for dropping the ball or blame the quarterback for placing it a foot too long, any ball that hits a Panthers set of palms needs to be completed.

Two plays later, Dalton’s arm is hit and the ball floats into a Bengals players hands for an easy interception. Even if Dalton was destined to throw an interception that drive, regardless of the previous ball being complete or not, at least it happens another 40 yards down the field instead of setting up the Bengals 16 yards away from the endzone.

Letting Chase embarrass the secondary

3rd quarter, Bengals with a 3rd and 3 with the game tied at 7. A short completion to Jamar Chase over the middle with 5 Panthers players staring right at him, have him dead to rights. Safety Xavier Woods drops his head and flies in with the right shoulder, glancing blow to Chase who stays upright. That’s okay, 6’3, 250 lb Charles Harris is right there to corral Chase and stop the play. Lacking any form, Harris keeps his pad level high and gives Chase a bear hug and a little spin before ostensibly letting him go. Nickel corner Troy Hill stops his feet and then lunges to the spot where Chase was about a half-second prior, leaving Chase a clear path to the endzone, about 63 yards from where the play began. A complete breakdown of tackling fundamentals directly leads to a momentum killing touchdown.

Losing a one on one at the goal line for all the marbles

After a strong effort from the Panthers offense to tie up the game with 69 seconds left in the half, the defense has given up 60 yards in 60 seconds, albeit hampered by a couple of questionable penalties called on the Panthers. Nonetheless, the Panthers have the Bengals 3rd and goal from the 1 yard line. 6 seconds left in the half and if the ball carrier is brought down before the end zone and inbounds, the half is over. Swing pass to the right, Bengals running back has the ball and is one on one with safety Nick Scott.

Scott has reinforcements on the way, he just has to make the tackle or slow Moss down enough for his teammates to play clean-up. To make it easier for Scott, Moss even slips. Unfortunately, Scott slips too and Moss is able to regain his footing first and dive for the goal line, crossing the plain before any Panther can get to him. Bengals go up 21-14, then complete the double-dip and score on the opening drive of the 2nd half to go up 28-14.

Conclusion

In just one half of football, the Panthers either allowed or failed to make several game changing plays. As the Panthers saw, miss too many of these opportunities, and they start to pile up on you and put you in a hole so deep it’s next to impossible to climb out from.

The Panthers are a spunky team, they have shown they will put up a fight. If they want to be more than that, they need to start converting on these opportunities earlier in the game so they aren’t pressing late in the game by having your 36 year old quarterback throwing 40 times or relying on risky fake punts to steal a much need possession.

That’s it for me, Panthers fans. I’ll see you all right here next week to review the Panthers upcoming game versus the Chicago Bears. Keep pounding.