CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A few thoughts on the Carolina Panthers' 37-19 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers at Bank of America Stadium:
What it means: It means the Panthers aren't made for prime time. Their only two losses in their past 15 regular-season games have been on Sunday night. This one ended a five-game win streak; the other, at New Orleans the past season, ended an eight-game streak. Both were ugly, and both were the only times in the 15 games that Carolina allowed more than 20 points. This one was worse because it was at home against a Pittsburgh team that entered the game having struggled to score.
The Panthers were off-kilter offensively after they settled for a field goal on their first drive. They couldn't run against a defense that had given up an average of 170 yards rushing in two games. They couldn't protect quarterback Cam Newton long enough for him to consistently step into throws. The league's fifth ranked defense gave up big plays, none bigger than the 81-yard run by Le'Veon Bell on second-and-22 from the 8-yard line with the deficit only 16-6. Then came an offsides penalty on a field goal attempt that led to a touchdown. Then there was the muffed punt that turned into a touchdown. Two backs had more than 100 yards rushing. It was not pretty. Perhaps the distractions surrounding Greg Hardy's going on the commissioner's exemption list took its toll.
Stock watch: The offensive line takes a huge drop. The Panthers had only 42 yards rushing against the league's 29th-ranked run defense. They struggled in pass protection. Newton was sacked three times and hit at least six more and under too much pressure up the middle. Once, that led to him being hit in the back to force the team's first turnover of the season, which led to a Pittsburgh touchdown. And then there were the seemingly countless holding calls.
Game ball: I will put an asterisk next to this one. The game ball goes to undrafted rookie Philly Brown for what he did as a receiver, not a kick returner. Brown got his first start with starting wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery (hamstring) inactive and Jason Avant (hamstring) hampered. Brown caught seven passes for 66 yards. He also dropped a punt with 11 minutes remaining that the Steelers recovered for a touchdown. Thus, the asterisk.
What's next: The Panthers (2-1) travel to Baltimore to face the Ravens (2-1) and Steve Smith, Carolina's all-time leading receiver who was released in March. Smith had five catches for 105 yards in a 23-21 victory at Cleveland on Sunday.
