By Dean Michaels, NFL Writer
Carolina faces one of the NFL's elite when they host the Patriots on Monday Night Football. Last week, the Panthers beat the 49ers 10-9 on the road for a fifth straight win. Are the Panthers "for real" enough to defeat the Patriots?
The New England Patriots (7-2) travel to Carolina to face a Panthers (6-3) team on Monday Night Football.
The Patriots, coming off their Bye Week, look to build upon their offensive successes.
In their most recent victory, New England scored 55 points and racked up 610 yards of total offense against the Pittsburgh Steelers. In that win, quarterback Tom Brady threw for 432 yards and four touchdowns without an interception. It marks the 15th time that Brady has thrown at least four touchdown passes with no interceptions. The Patriots are 15-0 in those contests.
The New England Patriots own an NFL-best 36-13 (.735) record in the month of November since 2001. During that time, the Patriots have had four undefeated Novembers, including winning all three November games in 2012. Since the 2010 season, the Patriots are now a combined 24-1 in the second half of the regular season. The Patriots were 8-0 in the second half of the regular season in both 2010 and 2011 and were 7-1 last year.
Carolina aims for its sixth consecutive win.
The Panthers' defense has been one of the NFL's best, allowing 115 points, the second-fewest in the NFL trailing only the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs (111). Carolina is the only team in the NFL to rank in the top five in total (second), rushing (second) and passing (tied for fourth) defense. Last week, the Panthers held the San Francisco 49ers to nine points and 151 total net yards in Carolina's 10-9 victory. Prior to facing the Panthers, the 49ers had averaged 34.8 points and 357.6 total net yards per game over its past five games (all wins).
Leading the Panthers' defense -- ranked second in the NFL in total yards and points allowed this season -- is 2nd-year linebacker Luke Kuechly. Kuechly turned in an outstanding effort last week, leading the Panthers defensive unit in tackles (13) while adding a sack as Carolina limited San Francisco's offense to three field goals. Adding strong support was linebacker Thomas Davis, who added four tackles and forced a crucial fumble. Kuechly and Davis lead the Panthers in tackles with 90 and 83, respectively and form the core of a defense unit that also features the pass rushing combination of Charles Johnson and Greg Hardy.
On offense, the Panthers are led by quarterback Cam Newton who has thrown 13 touchdown passes and rushed for four more. Against the 49ers, Newton completed 16 of 32 passes for 169 yards with an interception. It was only his third interception in Carolina's five-game winning streak compared to seven touchdowns.
Wide receiver Steve Smith and tight end Greg Olsen are one of the most reliable receiving duos in the NFL. Smith led the Panthers last week with six receptions for 63 yards. Olsen's 35 catches rank behind only Smith's 42 this season.
Against the 49ers, return specialist Ted Ginn, Jr. returned three punts for 65 yards and two kickoffs for 42 yards; Running back DeAngelo Williams scored the game's only touchdown with a 27-yard run; and kicker Graham Gano's 53-yard field goal proved to be the difference against the 49ers. Gano has converted 13 of of 14 field goal attempts and all 25 of his PAT tries this season. Gano is also five-of-five on 50+ yard field goal attempts.
Prediction
The Patriots are almost impossible to beat in the second half of a regular season (24-1 over the last 3 years). Add to that, Tom Brady's stellar performance against the Steelers and the added rest afforded by a bye week, conventional wisdom mandates picking the Patriots.
However, the Patriots recent home win came against an anemic Steelers defense. The Steelers conceded touchdown passes of 34, 19, 17 and 81 yards. Gronkowski (143), Dobson (130) and Amendola (122) all went over 100 receiving yards. Plus running back Stevan Ridley rushed for 115 yards with two touchdowns.
And the Patriots did allow 31 points. If not for Brady's performance the result might have been different.
Now, factor in the Panthers outstanding defense; an offense that leads the NFL in time of possession (33:48 per game); Carolina's 3-1 record at home this season (Week 1, 12-7 loss to Seattle); and the Panthers ability to put points on the aboard at home, albeit against lesser competition (38-0 over the Giants; 30-15 over the Rams; 34-10 over the Falcons).
Yes indeed, the Panthers are for real -- Carolina Panthers 31, New England Patriots 17
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NFL 2013 Week 11 - Panthers Aim for Sixth Consecutive Win Against Patriots on MNF