The Carolina Panthers are dealing with a lot of issues on offense and are going to be very shorthanded on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons, but offensive coordinator Norv Turner thinks Cam Newton can still be the difference.
Starting left tackle Matt Kalil, starting right tackle Daryl Williams and tight end Greg Olsen will be out Sunday. All-Pro right guard Trai Turner could also be out Sunday as he deals with a concussion.
Turner thinks the thing Newton is best at is hiding some of the deficiencies the offense has, and he thinks the quarterback can do it again on Sunday, according to Jourdan Rodrigue of The Charlotte Observer.
“(Quarterback) Cam Newton,” said offensive coordinator Norv Turner, with a big smile. “He hides a lot of things, a lot of deficiencies. And you can’t ask him to carry everything. But we have talented guys. We have receivers who can run and catch, we have backs who can run and catch. We have tight ends who have multiple skills.
“We just, again, we have to take our guys and see where we match up against Atlanta and get the best matchups we can, and avoid the real bad matchups.”
The Newton and Turner duo looked solid in the first game against the Dallas Cowboys. Newton rushed 13 times for 58 yards and a touchdown while also throwing for 161 yards.
The Falcons' defense is also shorthanded, especially in the secondary, so Newton should have his chances to throw it deep. To win this game, he is going to have to make sure he takes advantage of the opportunities.