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Gameday Live Blog / Open Thread: Panthers vs. Colts

Carolina Panthers and Indianapolis Colts are each trying to snap losing streaks

Scott Hamilton

Gameday Live Blog / Open Thread: Panthers vs. Colts
Gameday Live Blog / Open Thread: Panthers vs. Colts /

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  • It's almost time for kickoff at Lucas Oil Stadium for the game between the Carolina Panthers (5-9) and the Indianapolis Colts (6-8). It's 46 degrees and sunny outside in downtown Indianapolis.
  • This is the seventh meeting between the Panthers and Colts, with Carolina holding 5-1 advantage. The Panthers won 29-26 in overtime when they last met on Nov. 2, 2015 in Charlotte.
NFC SOUTH standings
NFC SOUTH standings
AFC South standings
AFC South standings
  • Neither team is headed to the playoffs. The Panthers have lost six in a row and seven of their last eight games, while Indianapolis is in the middle of a four-game losing streak and has lost six of seven.
  • Panthers get the ball first. Touchback, start at their 25.
  • Will Grier's first NFL pass attempt is incomplete to Wright.
  • Another incompletion, then a 1-yard connection with DJ Moore. Panthers punting.
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  • Hines returns the punt 40 yards, sets up the Colts with a short field at the Carolina 36.
  • Colts take advantage, score eight plays later on a 1-yard keeper by Jacoby Brissett. 7-0 Indianapolis
  • Carolina takes over on its 25. Two runs by Christian McCaffrey for a total of 3 yards and a incomplete pass has the Panthers punting.
  • Hines returns punt 14 yards to the Indy 34, but offsetting penalties and Colts opt to have Carolina punt again.
  • And Hines returns it 84 yards down the left sideline for a touchdown. 14-0 Colts, 7:41 left in the first quarter.
  • Grier to Greg Olsen for 28 yards. First and 10 from Indy 45. Then a penalty.
  • Grier to McCaffrey with a swing pass to the right. Then he scrambles up the middle for five yards for a first down at the Indy 33.
  • Grier to McCaffrey again, this time for 11 yards. First down at Colts' 22.
  • Feeding it to McCaffrey. First and goal from the 10.
  • Grier to Olsen for five yards on third down.
  • Houston gets to Grier on fourth and goal, sacks him for 9-yard loss. Drive ends after 12 plays, 61 yards and 6:06 of game time. Houston's 10th sack of the season.
  • Panthers force Colts to punt. But bad news on Caroline sideline as DJ Moore has his helmet off and is being checked out.
  • Hogan eight-yard return on the punt, Carolina starting at its 30.
  • McCaffrey one-yard run left as first quarter ends.

COLTS 14, PANTHERS 0

  • Grier's first quarter as an NFL QB: 6-11, 57 yards and sacked once for 11 yards. Also had a 5-yard run.
  • Moore taken to the locker room.
  • Grier to McCaffrey coming out on right side, 3rd and 2 from the Colts' 41.
  • Going for it on 4-3 from the 39. Grier hits Samuel for 12 yards to the Indy 29.
  • McCaffrey for 13, McCaffrey for 4. Second and 6 from Indy 9.
  • Rolling pocket right, but couldn't hit Olsen in the end zone. Third and six.
  • Incomplete to Olsen again. Joey Slye kicks a 27-yard field goal to make it Indy 14, Carolina 3 with 10:18 left in first half. Drive was 12 plays, 61 yards, 5:12 of game clock.
  • Grier: 9/17 for 95 yards. Worth noting he's targeted Olsen four times -- was targeted 15 times total over his last three games.
  • Colts take over at their 25.
  • No Donte Jackson at CB yet, Ross Cockrell in for every play. Jackson struggled big time last week.
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  • Third and four then Brissett takes off for 24 yards. First and 10 Indy from the Carolina 23. Saw all-out blitz and man coverage and bolted.
  • Brissett to Alie-Cox for 21 to the Carolina 2 and then Mack rolls in for a touchdown. Nine plays, 75 yards, 5:04 of game time. Colts 21, Panthers 3 with 5:14 left in first half.
  • That was the 27th rushing touchdown allowed by Carolina this season, the most in the league and the most by any team since the Lions gave up 31 in 2008.
  • Grier sacked on 1-10 from Detroit 35 for 11-yard loss, hits McCaffrey for 3-yard gain -- and then is picked off by Walker at the Indy 38.
  • DJ Moore out, in concussion protocol. Have to think out next week, as well.
  • Two-minute warning. Colts have 2nd and 3 from the Carolina 40.
  • Twelve-yard pickup under pressure for Brissett. Picks up 12 plus an illegal contact foul on Cockrell for 5 more, Colts 1st and 10 at the Carolina 23.
  • Mack for 11, 8 and 5 yards. Third and 1 from the Carolina 3.  Timeout Carolina.
  • Incomplete pass, timeout Indy. There's 45 seconds left in the first half.
  • Ross Cockrell forces Mack out for -1 on 4th-and-1 from the Carolina 3. 

McCaffrey gets 4 yards then half ends.

HALFTIME

COLTS 21, PANTHERS 3

First-half analysis:

We've seen this before, Part 1: Grier is 11-20 for 108 yards and an interception and has been sacked three times for 20 yards. Those numbers are similar to Kyle Allen's typical first-half outputs.

We've seen this before, Part 2: Special teams play (or gaffes) set up each of the Colts' first two scores, including Hines' 84-yard punt return that made gave Indianapolis a 14-0 lead. Missed field goals, poor kick coverage, poor punt coverage have all been issues for Carolina this season.

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We've seen this before, Part 3: Indianapolis rushed for 98 yards on 17 carries in the first half for 5.4 yards a carry -- more than even Carolina's league-worst 5.2 YPC average. Six of those attempts have resulted in first downs and two produced touchdowns.

We've seen this before, Part 4: Christian McCaffrey has 81 total yards (43 rushing, 38 receiving) on 14 touches. One more reception will give him 100 this season.

THIRD QUARTER

  • Colts get the ball from their 25.
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  • Carolina's Vernon Butler booted for unsportsmanlike contact.
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  • Indy drive stalls, McLaughlin boots a 35-yard field goal to make it 24-3 Colts with 10:59 left in the third quarter. Drive was 10 plays, 58 yards, 4:01.
  • Carolina ball at its 25.
  • McCaffrey for 1 yard on the left; Grier scrambles left for 11. First and 10 from the Carolina 37.
  • Curtis Samuel around right side for three yards.
  • Grier hits McCaffrey on left side for 9 yards to the Carolina 49. Reception No. 100 this season.
  • McCaffrey for 1, 1st and 10 from the Indy 32 -- and then Grier sacked a 10-yard loss.
  • Slye boots a 50-yard field goal to make it 24-6 and cap off a 12-play, 43-yard drive.
  • Panthers force three and out, take over from their 30 with 3:15 to play in the third quarter.
  • On fourth and 10, Panthers go for a fake punt. Palardy hits White on the right side for 12 yards, but catch is under review.
  • Catch is upheld. First down from the Indy 34. 
  • Grier to McCaffrey for 13. End of third quarter.

COLTS 24, PANTHERS 6

  • Fourth and inches from the Colts 12, Grier keeps for no gain. Indy takes over.
  • Colts drive to the Carolina 40, but drive stalls. Indy punts and the Panthers take over at their 4. Carolina's Brian Burns has to be helped off the field.
  • Grier to McCaffrey over the middle for 13 yards and then again for eight yards. He now has 108 receptions, breaking his own record of 107.
  • Colts get to Grier, Panthers punt. Hines returns the punt 71 yards for his second TD today. It's 31-6 with 7:16 to play.
  • Grier hits McCaffrey for eight yards. McCaffrey has 15 receptions on 15 targets for 119 yards.
  • Grier picked off by Desir at the Indy 24 with 6:44 remaining in the game.
  • Wilkins for 13, Wilkins for 10, Wilkins for nine. Colts have rushed for 181 yards.
  • Wilkins for 38 to the Carolina 1.
  • Wilkins 1-yard TD on 3rd and goal. It's 38-6 Colts with 3:10 to play. Drive was eight plays, 76 yards, 3:34.
  • Two minute warning. Colts have rushed for 220 yards on 29 carries -- a 7.6 YPC average. Indy has 14 rushing first downs, 2 rushing TDs. Mack 95 yards, Wilkins 84.
  • Grier picked off again, this time on first down from the Indy 49 with 1:32 left.
  • Grier 27-44, 224, three interceptions and was sacked five times. Hoyer kneels, runs out clock.

FINAL

COLTS 38, PANTHERS 6

Published
Scott Hamilton
SCOTT HAMILTON

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