Now that was more like the defense the Carolina Panthers are accustomed to.
A week after the Atlanta Falcons ran over and passed through this Panthers defense with ease, it was clear from the start of Sunday’s 31-21 victory over against the Cincinnati Bengals that that same cavalier attitude wouldn’t be tolerated. And boy, was that defense the exact opposite of cavalier.
Rookie cornerback Donte Jackson had two interceptions, the first coming in the first half when defensive end Wes Horton hit Bengals QB Andy Dalton as he threw. Jackson then bullied the ball away from receiver John Ross, giving Carolina’s offense a prime opportunity to retaliate — which it promptly did, courtesy of a beautifully designed CJ Anderson touchdown catch.