Carolina Panthers

Panthers Three Takeaways: Week 3 vs. Vikings

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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With Carolina Panthers divisional play set to begin next week, what are some major areas of concern and praise after Sunday’s defeat against the Vikings…

Sep 25, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Protesters outside of Bank of America Stadium during the game between the Carolina Panthers and the Minnesota Vikings. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Amidst protests, the Carolina Panthers and Minnesota Vikings game on Sunday was played as scheduled, with the Panthers taking the loss 22-10. It was the Panthers first home loss since 2014 and drops Carolina to an overall 1-2. Sunday’s game featured a relatively strong first half. However, penalties called by a closely refereed game, among other things, sealed the Panthers fate in dropping to a losing record.

As a review, following are three highlighted areas of importance while the Panthers prepare for their first divisional opponent next week.

Sep 25, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) is chased out of the pocket by Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Anthony Barr (55) and defensive end Brian Robison (96) during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

OFFENSIVE LINE

Last week against the 49ers, the Panthers offensive line held strong and denied the front seven of San Francisco any sacks. Sunday was a far different story as the Vikings were able to sack Cam Newton a total of eight times, one for a safety. Everson Griffen simply outworked left tackle Michael Oher and wreaked havoc on Newton, accounting for three of the eight total sacks.

Discombobulation among the offensive line seems to be the rule and not the exception this season. Both the Vikings and Broncos both are excellent defenses and formidable opponents to go up against, but letting your franchise player get manhandled is inexcusable. If personnel changes aren’t impending, it will be a long season for Newton and company against top tier defenses.

Sep 25, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) argues a no call in the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of America Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Panthers 22-10. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

PENALTIES, TURNOVER DIFFERENTIAL KILL AGAIN

Yet again, the turnover differential was against Carolina this week as Newton threw a total of three interceptions while the Vikes held onto the ball during all of their possessions. Two out of three weeks Carolina has been negative in the turnover department and now find themselves in the bottom half of the league in that regard. For a team that finished first just last year in turnover differential this statistic is a definite step backwards.

While Jerome Boger and his officiating crew did not do any favors for the Panthers, simple lack of discipline displayed led to constant flags throughout the course of the game. In all, Carolina committed 10 fouls for 65 total yards. Most crucial was a questionable flag on Kelvin Benjamin for a block in the back, that took away a long touchdown from Newton to Fozzy Whittaker and may have even cost them the victory in hindsight.

Sep 25, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Cameron Artis-Payne (34) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings free safety Harrison Smith (22) in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

CAMERON ARTIS-PAYNE, BRADBERRY SHINE

With veteran Johnathan Stewart out with injury, the second year back out of Auburn, Cameron Artis-Payne stepped in and performed well. Artis-Payne provided 47 yards on 12 carries during the game. He was able to find gaps in a fierce Minnesota front seven, yet it seemed as if the run was nearly abandoned for a majority of second half after Carolina found themselves down on the scoreboard.

Defensively, rookie James Bradberry tamed Stefon Diggs, the receiving yards leader heading into week three. Diggs was relegated to only four catches for 40 yards, most of which came in the second half when the offense for Minnesota began to string together plays.

Head coach Ron Rivera spoke positively on the secondary, stating “I think our guys did a nice job. If there’s anything, we gave up a couple of plays in front of us, but I thought we challenged pretty good.”

Next week, the Panthers face the Atlanta Falcons on the road to open up divisional play. In a wide open NFC South, the first divisional game for the Panthers will be largely important, setting the tone for the remainder of the season.