After a triumphant showing in Week 3, the Carolina Panthers fell a bit short of stringing together a winning streak on Sunday.
Here’s everything we know from the team’s Week 4 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals . . .
Final score: Bengals 34, Panthers 24
Keys to the game
- Poor tackling from the Panthers defense opened up quite a few big-play opportunities for the Bengals. The most lethal instance came around the midway point of the second quarter, when Cincinnati wideout Ja’Marr Chase bounced off multiple would-be tacklers en route to a 63-yard touchdown.
- The suboptimal form also leaked onto the ground, where the Bengals rushed for 141 yards and two scores. Second-year running back Chase Brown led the way for Cincinnati with 80 yards and two touchdowns.
- Carolina’s ability to establish the run on their end kept them alive. The Panthers grounded and pounded for 155 yards and a touchdown on 29 attempts.
It was over when . . .
Despite being down 31-14 with under three minutes remaining in the third quarter, the Panthers made a ballgame out of it. Carolina chipped away with a 21-yard touchdown connection between quarterback Andy Dalton and receiver Diontae Johnson, and then a 48-yard field goal from kicker Eddy Piñeiro.
But the Bengals put the comeback on ice, forcing a three-and-out of the Panthers offense with under five minutes left in the game. Cincinnati then proceeded to bleed clock, giving way to a 46-yard field goal from Evan McPherson for a 34-24 lead at the 1:14 mark.
Players of the game
- RB Chuba Hubbard: 18 carries, 104 yards, touchdown, four receptions, 17 receiving yards
- WR Diontae Johnson: seven receptions, 83 yards, touchdown
- S Xavier Woods: 10 tackles, interception
What’s next?
The Panthers (1-3) will travel to the Windy City to take on the Chicago Bears (2-2) in Week 5.
