Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
If pictures are worth a thousand words, Cam Newton’s IG pic posted Thursday shows a quarterback who seems to be saying, “I’m still me,” despite the injury-limited year.
If pictures are worth a thousand words, Cam Newton’s IG pic posted Thursday shows a quarterback who seems to be saying, “I’m still me,” despite the injury-limited year.
If pictures are worth a thousand words, Cam Newton’s IG pic posted Thursday shows a quarterback who seems to be saying, “I’m still me,” despite the injury-limited year.
If pictures are worth a thousand words, Cam Newton’s IG pic posted Thursday shows a quarterback who seems to be saying, “I’m still me,” despite the injury-limited year.
If pictures are worth a thousand words, Cam Newton’s IG pic posted Thursday shows a quarterback who seems to be saying, “I’m still me,” despite the injury-limited year.
If pictures are worth a thousand words, Cam Newton’s IG pic posted Thursday shows a quarterback who seems to be saying, “I’m still me,” despite the injury-limited year.
A closer look at Cam Newton’s backup, Kyle Allen, who will start for the Carolina Panthers Week 15 against the Seattle Seahawks.
The Seattle Seahawks fell out of first place after stumbling against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 14, now they will return to Charlotte to face their old rivals the Carolina Panthers. Only this time, they will be defending against a new face at quarterback, Kyle Allen.
This is the first time in the Pete Carroll era the Seahawks have faced the Panthers without Cam Newton. The only other time Seattle played Carolina without a Newton start was in 2016 when Newton was benched for the first series for a team violation, and backup Derek Anderson threw an interception on the first play.
Now Newton is done for the season, and his time as a Panther is likely over.
The next chapter in the Seahawks vs. Panthers rivalry will now involve Allen trying to lead Carolina to an upset victory. Allen started the year red hot after taking over for the injured Newton in Week 2. Allen guided the Panthers to four-straight wins, without throwing an interception in any game. The prevailing thought was perhaps Carolina had found their next quarterback.
Then Allen was rocked by San Francisco, throwing three interceptions in a 51-13 defeat. Things looked to get back on track with a 30-20 win over the solid Titans the following week but then Allen proceeded to lose the next five starts.
The wheels have fallen off for Allen and the Panthers, who sit at 5-8 and have been eliminated from postseason contention for the second straight year. Allen has thrown for 16 touchdowns against 12 interceptions for 2,750 yards and a passer rating of only 82.9.
Although Allen had a solid showing against the Saints in New Orleans during a Week 12 shootout loss, throwing 3 touchdowns and not turning the ball over, it is clear he is not a long term option at quarterback.
This game might be on the road, but this is one where the Seahawks defense should absolutely bounce back after being torched by the Rams on “Sunday Night Football.”
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The Seattle Seahawks are counting on Josh Gordon, and believe the veteran receiver could have a big game before the season is up.
The Seattle Seahawks were the only team in the NFL to place a claim on free agent receiver Josh Gordon after he was released by the Patriots, and so far they have been rewarded with six receptions (on 10 targets) for 81 yards and six first downs.
However, Gordon is certainly capable of more production, and coach Pete Carroll is confident those days are coming for the former All-Pro receiver.
“Josh has had huge games in the past,” Carroll said on Wednesday. “He just hasn’t gotten the ball enough yet to show that for us, but he’s done really well. Josh has been a really good guy around here and practicing, working hard and studying.”
Gordon has proven himself an elite vertical threat in year’s past, although this year he has done most of his damage running quick slant routes, helping pick up first downs and building a rapport with quarterback Russell Wilson.
While that relationship grows, and while opposing teams continue to focus on Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf, the Wilson-to-Gordon connection could thrive in the final few weeks of the regular season.
“We’re counting on him,” Carroll continued. “He could have a big game any time.”
The Seahawks will head to North Carolina to take on the Panthers in their final road game of the season on Sunday, December 15 at 10:00 a.m. PT.
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Here’s what Tepper told Albert Breer at Sports Illustrated.
The Carolina Panthers have three games left to play in the 2019 season. The real story will be what happens behind the scenes over these next few weeks, though. After firing coach Ron Rivera last week after nearly nine years, the team is expected to go in a different direction with its next hire.
Team owner David Tepper isn’t giving away too many specifics, but he does want the next coach to have input on the other big front office hire: the assistant general manager/VP of football operations gig. Here’s what Tepper told Albert Breer at Sports Illustrated.
“You’d like to have the head coach have some input into the AGM because that AGM will be involved in certain things that the head coaches is involved in too—training room, health and safety, the strength coach, sports science, all those things go together.”
That they do.
One major unsettled question will be what general manager Marty Hurney’s role will be. If he’s to stay in his current position, it could scare off potential candidates. Some recent reporting suggests Hurney will be stepping into more of an advisory role, though – leaving the real decisions to whomever Tepper plans to hire for this new position.
Who’s on Tepper’s list? It would make sense for him to hit up the Steelers for front office talent given his connections with that organization. Adam Schefter at ESPN reported on Sunday he is interested in two Pittsburgh executives: GM Kevin Colbert and VP Omar Khan.
Don’t expect Mike Tomlin to be involved. Tepper unequivocally shot down that rumor, essentially saying he wouldn’t want to cross Steelers owner Art Rooney.
Other coach candidates who are reported to be in the mix include Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski, Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman and former Packers coach Mike McCarthy.
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Everything you need to know to catch the Week 15 action between the Carolina Panthers and Seattle Seahawks Sunday morning.
The Seattle Seahawks hope to wrap up their final road game of the regular season on Sunday with a win in Carolina. If the Seahawks emerge victorious over the Panthers, they would finish with the best away record in franchise history at 7-1.
Seattle lost its first road game of the year Week 14 in Los Angeles.
“We got to get ready to go,” coach Pete Carroll said Wednesday. “Really like to finish road trips with a really good finish right here. We’re putting everything we can into it. It’s a big championship opportunity for us and we’ve got to get right and do everything we can to make it a successful week here in practice. Then, we’ll take it to Sunday. We’re looking forward to it.”
Here’s everything you need to know to catch the action this weekend.
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 15 at 10:00 a.m. PT
WHERE: Bank of America Stadium
TV: FOX – channel 13 in the Seattle area
RADIO: 710 ESPN Seattle and 97.3 KIRO FM
STREAM: fuboTV (try it now for free)
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Michael Bennett once compared the Panthers to an ‘attractive cousin’ for the Seahawks.
Michael Bennett once compared the Panthers to an ‘attractive cousin’ for the Seahawks. It was an interesting choice of words but illustrative of how similar the two teams are and how familiar they became over this last decade. This has mostly been a one-sided affair, though. Since Pete Carroll became head coach in 2010, Seattle has won seven of nine meetings between these non-division rivals.
Carroll’s teams have mostly out-matched Carolina’s from a talent perspective. The 2015 season was the exception to the rule. However, this current Panthers team does have a number of promising pieces, especially on offense. Here’s what Carroll says he sees on film this year, per the team website.
“Well, I see a lot of fire-power. A lot of special players – players with a lot of special dynamics. They run well, in general. They’re playmakers out there on both sides of the ball. So, they look very dangerous scheme wise. They do difficult stuff. Norv (Turner) has always been a really big factor in putting together good offenses.”
Carroll has it right. The combination of Christian McCaffrey and D.J. Moore in particular has been astoundingly productive. Together, they have totaled more scrimmage yards (3,037) than any RB/WR combo at this point in the season since Edgerrin James and Marvin Harrison in 2000.
McCaffrey and DJ Moore have combined for 3,037 scrimmage yards, the most by any RB-WR duo in the NFL this year.
It's the most by any RB-WR duo through Week 14 since 2000 when Edgerrin James and Marvin Harrison combined for 3,051.
— Will Bryan (@Pantherstatsguy) December 11, 2019
James and Harrison of course had an all-time great quarterback that was just coming into his prime in Peyton Manning.
These young guns for the Panthers have considerably less help in that department and it’s the main reason the offense has fallen off this year. Moore and Curtis Samuel have suffered the most. Their catchable pass rates are both among the lowest in the league thanks to the accuracy and timing issues of backup QB Kyle Allen.
How much the Kyle Allen has hurt the Panthers WRs
Of the 32 WRs with at least 40 targets that have traveled at least 10 yards downfield, Curtis Samuel ranks 29th in catchable target rate.
The three with lower rates: Odell Beckham, Robby Anderson and … DJ Moore.
— Steven Ruiz (@theStevenRuiz) December 12, 2019
Carolina has another up-and-coming weapon in tight end Ian Thomas, who posted 57 yards and a touchdown last week against Atlanta with Greg Olsen ruled out. If Thomas can fix his issues with drops, he’ll be another very capable piece for the Panthers.
For those counting at home, that’s four young play-makers – plenty to field a competitive offense if the rest of the equation holds up.
Of course, this team was built to compete around a very different quarterback than Allen. If they are ever able to pair a 100% healthy Cam Newton with McCaffrey, Moore, Samuel, Thomas and especially a strong pass protecting offensive line – this could still be a special group.
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Previewing Sunday’s Seattle Seahawks at Carolina Panthers sports betting odds and lines, with Week 15 NFL betting picks, tips and best bets.
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The Carolina Panthers (5-8) host the Seattle Seahawks (10-3) Sunday of Week 15. The Panthers will look to halt their five-game skid, while the Seahawks attempt to stay alive in the NFC West title chase. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET at Bank of America Stadium. Below, we analyze the Seahawks-Panthers sports betting odds and lines, while providing sports betting tips and advice on this matchup.
Looking to place a bet on this game or others? Get some action in the game at BetMGM. Sign up and bet at BetMGM now!
Seahawks RB Rashaad Penny (knee) will miss the rest of the season after suffering a torn ACL in Week 14.
Panthers TE Greg Olsen (concussion) missed last week’s game, but returned to a limited practice on Wednesday.
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 8:15 a.m. ET.
Seahawks 31, Panthers 17
The Panthers put up a strong fight in Week 13 against the New Orleans Saints, but their other games over the past four weeks have included two blowout losses to the Atlanta Falcons and Washington Redskins. The Seahawks are 6-1 on the road this year, and badly need a win in order to stay in the mix for a division title and potential first-round bye.
Take the SEAHAWKS (-278) to win outright.
The Seahawks opened as 4 point favorites, but the line moved up a bit following another disappointing performance by the Panthers. Carolina isn’t getting much from Allen or the defense, and the Panthers have lost their last two games at home against weaker opponents than the one they’ll face this week. Look for the SEAHAWKS (-5.5, -121) to win by at least a touchdown.
A projected total of 48.5 points is tied for the second-highest total of the week. The Seahawks are sixth in the league in scoring, while the Panthers have allowed the sixth-most points, including 32.4 per game over their past seven contests.
The Seahawks should get to their implied total of 27 points against Carolina’s struggling defense, but the Panthers may have trouble getting to their 21.5 point target. This will be close, so it’s best to AVOID.
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The Carolina Panthers have named quarterback Cam Newton their nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award for 2019.
The Carolina Panthers have named quarterback Cam Newton their nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award for 2019. In honor of the deceased Chicago Bears legendary running back, the award was established to honor the community service work of players around the NFL.
Newton has never gotten much attention for his charities and other forms of community outreach. From youth football programs to educational grants, Newton’s foundation has done a great deal of good since its inception in 2012. It’s past time Cam got some national media recognition in this area.
Last year, former Eagles defensive end Chris Long earned the honor. Linebacker Thomas Davis won the award for the Panthers in 2014.
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