The Panthers might want to ditch the decaf.
Another slow start means another early deficit, for a team that only starts playing defense after they’re down a touchdown.
In the opener, the Buccaneers went 80 yards on 13 plays to score first. The Saints needed just 11 plays to get their 80 and a touchdown.
The Giants needed a mere eight snaps, before Martellus Bennett’s touchdown grab. They don’t look like a team missing their starting running back and two of their top three receivers.
The Panthers are trying to run, with Newton and with DeAngelo Williams taking snaps out of the Wildcat, but had to punt it away on their first crack at it.