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This is the way Ron Rivera likes it and it seems so fitting that this is the way he’d become the winningest coach in the brief history of the Carolina Panthers.
It was a 34-27 victory over Jacksonville that was based on Carolina (3-2) rushing for the third-highest total in franchise history, and the defense creating important and timely turnovers.
“It truly is a tribute to our team,” said Rivera, who got a little emotional when naming those that were responsible for his success. “The players that we’ve had have been tremendous, the coaches – I’ve been very fortunate to have great coaching staffs, the guys like that.”
Rivera is also extremely fortunate to have the likes of running back Christian McCaffrey in his backfield, too.
McCaffrey, who is in his third season, ran for 176 yards on just 19 carries, which was highlighted by his 84-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. He had another touchdown run, this one coming in the first quarter, which was a spectacular, 360-degree flip in the air the ended with him landing on his back in the end zone.
Backup tailback Reggie Bonnafon also added 80 yards on just five rushes, including his own 59-yard dash to the end zone late in the game.
As a team, Carolina ran for 285 yards on just 27 carries. That’s an insane 10.6 yards per rush for those of you keeping track. Just for good measure, McCaffrey added 61 yards receiving and a touchdown on six catches.
McCaffrey’s 237 yards from scrimmage ties the franchise record that he set last season against Seattle.
It’s not like there was any secret to the success of the ground game. The team kept running the same play over and over.
Jacksonville (2-3) had no answer whatsoever, even though the Panthers played a makeshift offensive line, including starting rookie Dennis Daley, who was the 212th player taken in this year’s draft.
“We used the same play a few times,” said McCaffrey, who is averaging 117.4 rushing yards per game. “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it. I think the O-line did an absolutely amazing job all day opening up gaps.”
“It’s not a surprise to see Christian do that and we know what Reggie is capable of,” Carolina guard Greg Van Roten said. “It’s always nice as an offensive lineman to watch those guys run for 80 and 60 yards. That’s a relief.”
Considering all the different starting lineups the offensive line has had this year, to do what it did against a stout Jaguars defense didn’t seem likely heading into the game.
Again, it’s the way Rivera likes to win – ball control.
“Awesome. Awesome. Awesome,” Rivera said of the line. “It just shows you that when you continue to work hard and you have a group of guys that do the things that they need to do, they can create some running lanes, and they did that. They did a heck of a job.
“And we have some backs that can hit it and go.”
But it wasn’t just the offense, which sputtered at times, that produced big plays.
With quarterback Kyle Allen struggling somewhat with his passing – and holding onto the ball when sacked – the defense did more than its fair share to help out the offense.
None was bigger than defensive end Mario Addison’s sack and forced fumble of Jacksonville quarterback Gardner Minshew. Rookie defensive end Brian Burns scooped up the fumble and sprinted 56 yards for the score.
Another score was set up after Carolina safety Eric Reid recovered a fumble deep in Jaguars territory. Three plays later, McCaffrey scored on an 18-yard touchdown pass.
“At the end of the day, you can’t give up that many yards rushing and you can’t turn the ball over three times,” Jacksonville coach Doug Marrone said. “I hate to sound so simple, but that’s as simple as it is.”
NOTES:
*Allen becomes just the second quarterback in NFL history to win his first four starts. The other is Hall of Famer Kurt Warner.
*Allen once again fumbled two times while being sacked, but the first one was negated because of a penalty. Fortunately for him and the team, he recovered it. He now has six fumbles in three games on eight sacks. Allen and Rivera joked that it’s becoming a tradition to fumble on the first drive.
*Linebacker Luke Kuechly had 12 tackles, which gives him 1,004 for his career.
*Placekicker Joey Slye missed two field goals and an extra point one week after being named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week.
*It was Carolina’s first win at Bank of America Stadium since Nov. 4, 2018, when it beat Tampa 42-28.