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Carolina Panthers: 5 reasons they’ll return to playoffs

By Rucker Haringey

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 07: Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers reacts during the NFC Wild Card playoff game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 07: Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers reacts during the NFC Wild Card playoff game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey (22) leads the running backs through a drill during practice at training camp at Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C. on Sunday, July 29, 2018. (David T. Foster III/Charlotte Observer/TNS via Getty Images)
Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey (22) leads the running backs through a drill during practice at training camp at Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C. on Sunday, July 29, 2018. (David T. Foster III/Charlotte Observer/TNS via Getty Images) /

2. 1-2 punch at running back

Christian McCaffrey showed flashes of real brilliance during his rookie season, but his potential is really what has Panthers’ officials salivating. Look for him to get plenty of touches this season. That should make him an effective weapon for Ron Rivera and fantasy football owners looking for a valuable first round pick.

Specifically, Turner wants to see more productivity from McCaffrey running the ball between the tackles. His college tape showed that to be a strength of his at Stanford, but it didn’t translate to immediate success during his rookie season. The organization isn’t just sitting back and hoping it will improve this season. Instead, they made sure they have other players who can pound the ball into the middle of opposing defenses on the roster.

The real question is who will win the battle between C.J. Anderson and Cameron Artis-Payne to serve as McCaffrey’s partner in the backfield. Before the preseason began, everyone assumed Anderson would get a lot of carries coming off his 1,000 yard season for the Broncos.

To date, Artis-Payne is at least holding his own in the battle. He got playing time ahead of Anderson in the preseason opener. That may be an example of Rivera forcing the free agent to earn his place over the incumbent, but don’t be shocked if Artis-Payne finds a way to breakout this season. Either way, the Panthers will employ a 1-2 running attack designed to bludgeon and explode past opposing defenses.

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