CHARLOTTE — Three quick thoughts off Carolina’s 20–17 win against Atlanta.
1. When the Panthers drafted Christian McCaffrey with the No. 8 pick and promised to revamp the offense, the biggest question was whether offensive coordinator Mike Shula had the creative juices to make it work. He’s taken his lumps this season, but Shula called his best game of the year on Sunday.
The Panthers had just one three-and-out all day (the first drive) and even had two drives stalled in Falcons’ territory due to Jonathan Stewart fumbles. But that didn’t deter Shula from cracking open the playbook—perhaps it emboldened him.