The Carolina Panthers managed to get by the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1, but no one was left impressed by the team's offense that struggled without Kelvin Benjamin sprinting down the sidelines. While they might have beat the Jaguars, things will be much tougher in Week 2 as they face the stout defense of the Houston Texans. The biggest issue for the team is their wide receiver rotation which likely begin to feature Devin Funchess much more in the upcoming games.
Without Benjamin, the Panthers are relying on Funchess to step up and prove why he was a second-round draft pick. Funchess battled a hamstring injury throughout the entire preseason and only managed one catch in the first game of the season after not being named a starter. However, that will likely change in Week 2 as Funchess is preparing to get a larger role with the team moving forward.
"But I'm taking him up under my wing," Newton said, via ESPN.com. "I have full confidence in Devin that he gets it, sooner rather than later. He's a competitor. He's a guy that wants to be great. We talk often. I'm pretty much a person that he can trust and that I know I can trust when the game comes on the line. We just need to get him to 100 percent."
Funchess could be named a starter for Week 2 while Ted Ginn Jr. will also continue on with a starting role after putting up 54 yards off two catches while being targeted seven times. Another breakout star for the Panthers was Jerricho Cotchery who was heavily targeted with six passes while catches four for 45 yards. He was a reserve for the Panthers, but saw plenty of action which could happen moving forward. Cotchery is a top waiver wire pickup for Week 2 after getting the team's only touchdown. He truly believes the Panthers can be fine without Benjamin.
"I think we can. We have a lot of good players on offense, a lot of unselfish players, and I think it's all going to come together," Cotchery said, via the Charlotte Observer. We've got guys willing to put in the work. When guys go down, there are always going to be questions. Obviously KB is a big loss. He was primed for another great year. But we have guys who are going to do the job."
Head coach Ron Rivera told the media that he wants to rely more on the passing game and less on the legs of Newton. The quarterback finished with 35 rushing yards off 14 carries and Rivera is hoping they can eliminate that and focus more on pocket passing and targeting receivers deep.
"I think that's a pretty good day for him," Rivera said, via ESPN.com. "If he picks and chooses the right moment, he'll know. A lot of it is we've also got to be smart and diligent as to not put a lot of pressure on him where he's got to run."
