An early-season bye week isn’t generally preferred by most teams. The Carolina Panthers may not have cared for it when schedules were first released, but with the injury bug biting early, they’re happy to get some time off.
Quarterback Cam Newton is not only happy to get that recovery time, but he’s also happy to have picked up a win in Charlotte, 31-21, against the Cincinnati Bengals. It’s the Panthers’ second home victory in as many tries.
“Winning at home is very important and pivotal for us and our success,” Newton said. “And for us to get a win heading into the bye, get a lot of guys mended up, it’s pivotal for us to comeback and pick up right where we left off.”
Newton only notched 150 passing yards in the win over Cincinnati, which was less than half what he posted in a loss in Atlanta in Week 2.
But the Panther signal caller didn’t need to do nearly as much through the air — not with Christian McCaffrey running for a career-best 184 yards.
“(He’s) a ball player, man,” Newton said of his second-year backfield companion. “For him, it’s hard for a lot of people to label him and saying he’s this. Playing like today, he’s obviously not just a receiver back. He’s a total back running back, and he’s showed signs that this is not a fluke.”
McCaffrey had tied a franchise record with 14 catches in the Week 2 loss to the Falcons.
The Panthers return from bye to host the New York Giants on Oct. 7. They’ll look to extend their winning streak to eight in a row at Bank of America Stadium.
