In the NFL, the Carolina Panthers lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers last night, 37-19.
The Steelers played a strong defense, despite multiple injuries on their side. Carolina struggled to run the ball. And the Steelers began to pull away in the second half.
Carolina Panthers Coach Ron Rivera admitted at a press conference that the Panthers didn't play a good game.
“We didn't block very well up front, and we didn't stop the run very well. You can't do that to a Pittsburgh Steeler football team. I mean, they play to who their character is, and we didn't.”
Panthers Quarterback Cam Newton completed 24-of-35 passes for 250 yards. He had one touchdown with no interceptions. But the offense never took over. Newton said his team played into the Steelers' hands.
“At times, you know, we flashed. But more times, you know, we just looked out of sync,” Newton said.
Newton had broken his ribs in the preseason, and Coach Rivera lamented that his teammates didn't protect him last night. Newton took a forearm to the midsection while running out of bounds, among others hits throughout the game.
The Panthers will head to Baltimore to take on the Ravens next Sunday.