CINNCINATI -- A few thoughts on the Carolina Panthers' 37-37 tie against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium:
What it means: The Panthers (3-2-1) will look back on this as one they choked away, just as the Bengals might after missing a short field goal attempt at the end of overtime. Leading by a touchdown late in the third quarter, Carolina wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin was called for pass interference to negate his touchdown catch. Early in the fourth quarter, sure-footed Graham Gano missed a 37-yard field goal attempt. After taking a 31-24 lead, Carolina gave up a 97-yard kickoff return to set up a touchdown and followed that with an interception to set up a Cincinnati field goal. The Panthers also will look back at this as the day Cam Newton became a multithreat quarterback again. His ability to run and throw for really the first time this season gave an ailing offense some explosiveness. Carolina might need that explosiveness on offense moving forward with the defense giving up way too many points.
Stock watch: Newton was unleashed. The fourth-year quarterback showed more than at any other time this season that the left ankle that was surgically repaired in March is healthy, and he is a threat to run out of the read-option. His 17 rushes were the most by a quarterback in a single game since Tim Tebow had 22 for Denver back on Nov. 27, 2011. Newton had only 14 carries for 42 yards coming into the game. The read-option opened things up for Newton’s 12-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. The Panthers became more dangerous in the red zone because the Bengals had to respect that part of his game. That helped open up the middle for Fozzy Whittaker on a 4-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
Wild card: Now we know why rookie Bene' Benwikere won the starting nickel corner job over veteran Charles Godfrey. With Benwikere (ankle) out, Godfrey struggled to contain. In the first half alone, he gave up catches of 15, 10, 6 and 7 yards, all on third-down conversions. At the start of the second half, Godfrey was called for pass interference on third-and-6. Just not a good day for the former safety, who moved to corner during the offseason.
Wild card II: Special teams, which normally are a strength, were a disaster. Gano missed a 37-yard field goal attempt that would have given Carolina a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter and the Panthers allowed the 97-yard kickoff return seconds after taking a touchdown lead late in the fourth quarter.
Game ball: Newton finally used his legs as well as his arm as a weapon, something the Panthers have been reluctant to let him do. He rushed for a team-best 107 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries and completed 29 of 46 passes for 284 yards and two touchdowns.
What’s next: The Panthers travel to Green Bay to face the Packers, who lead the series 8-4. The last meeting between the teams at Lambeau Field was a 35-31 Carolina victory in 2008.
