Football Daily Dose: Dose: Panthers Stay Unbeaten

What’s that old saying, a picture’s worth 1,000 words? Well what about a tweet?

This game is the worst

— Jesse Pantuosco (@JessePantuosco) November 3, 2015

My account was not hacked. This was an actual tweet sent by me. Oops.

It took a while to get going (notice my tweet was sent at 10:42 PM when the score was still 10-6) but Monday night’s Panthers/Colts showdown was one for the ages. It was a rain-soaked rollercoaster. Mistakes were made. Heroics were displayed. But in the end, it all came down to Andrew Luck.

The Stanford-educated facial hair enthusiast has become one of the most polarizing figures in football. So have the Colts. Are they a contender or just another imposter headed for playoff failure? The jury’s still out.

Luck was dreadful for stretches on Monday night. But after leading a masterful fourth-quarter comeback, Luck had the Panthers right where he wanted them. In overtime with the score knotted at 26, all the Colts needed to do was get in field goal range for Adam Vinatieri.

Luke Kuechly had other ideas. Mere minutes after letting the potential game-winning pick fall through his fingertips, Kuechly redeemed himself with a phenomenal interception off a tipped pass by Roman Harper. That set Carolina up with a first-and-10 at the Colts’ 39-yard-line. Four plays later, Graham Gano drilled a 52-yard field goal to seal Carolina’s 29-26 win.

For a while, it seemed like neither team wanted to win. The usually sure-handed Vontae Davis dropped an interception late in the fourth quarter that would have set the Colts up deep in Carolina territory. The pass was intended for Ted Ginn, who later had a missed opportunity of his own on a drop that would have gone for a long touchdown.

It was a comedy of errors but the Panthers had the last laugh. They did it by limiting T.Y. Hilton to one catch on seven targets. Josh Norman did a brilliant job in his role as the Panthers’ designated Hilton tormenter, smothering the Colts’ best receiver at every turn.

The Colts dug themselves an early hole by turning the ball over twice in their first six plays. The first miscue came on a bad snap by center Jonotthan Harris while the second was an ugly interception Luck never should have thrown. Instead of hurling it out of bounds or taking the sack on third down, Luck forced a bad throw into tight coverage. Charles Tillman hauled it in for his 37th career interception.

Luck finished 23-of-47 for 231 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions as the Colts fell to 3-5. They’re now in a tie with Houston for first in what has quickly becoming the league’s most underwhelming division, the AFC South. Meanwhile, the Panthers join the Patriots, Broncos and Bengals as one of only four remaining unbeatens. They’ll face an even stiffer test next week against the Packers.

Editor’s Note: For updated rankings, fantasy news columns, IDP, injury analysis, dynasty and much more, check out the Rotoworld Season Pass.

Niners Shake Things Up

When teams lose, there are consequences. Vernon Davis and Colin Kaepernick learned that the hard way on Monday. Although the Niners might have actually done Davis a favor by trading him to the Denver Broncos for a host of draft picks. Now he’ll get to play for a contender while joining an offense that moved the ball efficiently Sunday in a lopsided win over the previously unbeaten Packers.

Davis hasn’t been much of a factor this year, though it’s hard to be effective when your quarterback is in full meltdown mode. Davis, who logged 55 touchdowns during his 10-year stay in San Francisco, had no hard feelings after the trade became official on Monday afternoon.

(1 of 3) Thank you @49ers for 10 amazing years. Its been a blessing to play for such an incredible organization.

— Vernon Davis (@VernonDavis85) November 3, 2015

While Davis was able to escape the clutches of San Francisco’s mediocrity for a more meaningful role in Denver, Colin Kaepernick won’t have that luxury. In fact, he won’t even have the privilege of playing next week against Atlanta. Coach Jim Tomsula has benched him for Blaine Gabbert. A colossal bust during his three-year stint in Jacksonville, Gabbert hasn’t played a snap since Week 7 of the 2014 campaign.

Monday’s demotion marks the final step in Kaepernick’s fall from grace. Kaepernick bought himself some time with solid outings against the Giants and Ravens in Weeks 5 and 6 but lost momentum quickly with clunkers against the Seahawks and Rams.

Kaepernick hasn’t been given much to work with on offense. Anquan Boldin is aging while Torrey Smith remains a hit-or-miss deep threat. Massive roster turnover has left the offensive line in shambles while San Francisco’s running game has been hampered by injuries.

But none of those deficiencies mask Kaepernick’s obvious regression and his failure to develop as a pocket passer. Gabbert is nothing more than a placeholder for the Niners as they start their rebuilding process.

Denver’s acquisition of Davis was the first big deal of this year’s trade deadline. Teams have until 4 PM ET on Tuesday to get their trades in, which means we should see plenty of moving parts in the next few hours. The Browns are said to be dangling All-Pro tackle Joe Thomas while the Chargers are offering up contract-year FS Eric Weddle. Matt Forte and Steve Smith Sr. had been discussed as trade targets but that interest has likely faded after their recent injuries. We’ll be tracking the trade deadline all day on the Rotoworld news page so keep a tab open on your computer.

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Quick Hits: Fantasy owners were upset John Brown was active but didn’t play Sunday against the Browns. Bruce Arians’ response: “Tough [expletive]” … Steve Smith Sr. previously said he’d retire after this year but according to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, he’s “strongly leaning” towards playing another season. Smith Sr. suffered a torn Achilles Sunday against the Chargers … Former Giants and Colts receiver Hakeem Nicks will work out for the Ravens this week. Nicks went to training camp with the Titans this summer but didn’t make the 53-man roster … Keenan Allen is out indefinitely with a kidney injury. He ranks second in the NFL with 67 catches … Branden Oliver had a walking boot on his foot and was getting around on crutches after Sunday’s loss to the Ravens. He’s dealing with a toe injury … Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt expects Marcus Mariota to be a full participant at Wednesday’s practice. Mariota has missed the last two weeks with a sprained MCL … The Titans are expected to activate rookie running back David Cobb (calf) from injured reserve this week. Ken Whisenhunt said Cobb showed up to the team facility looking “a little heavy” last week … Kendall Wright sprained his MCL Sunday against Houston. He said his knee feels “horrible.” He’s a long shot to face the Saints on Sunday … Bills coach Rex Ryan said Tyrod Taylor is back to 100 percent. A sprained MCL has kept him out since Week 6 … The Giants haven’t ruled Jason Pierre-Paul out for Week 9. If he plays Sunday against Tampa Bay, it would be his first action since losing one of his fingers in a firework accident … Browns coach Mike Pettine was noncommittal about Josh McCown’s status for Thursday’s game against Cincinnati. McCown hurt his ribs in last week’s loss to Arizona … Joe Haden is back in the league’s concussion protocol. He’s suffered a concussion in each of his last two games … So much for Dez Bryant being on a snap count. He played 50 of 61 offensive snaps Sunday in his first game back from a broken foot. That’s 82 percent … The Steelers have officially placed Le’Veon Bell (torn MCL) on injured reserve. Isaiah Pead will take his roster spot … With Matt Forte (MCL) sidelined the Bears will consider signing Montee Ball. The career touchdown leader for FBS was cut by Denver this offseason … The 49ers signed Jarryd Hayne to their practice squad two days after cutting him. Hayne was a fun story to follow in training camp after making the switch from professional rugby to the NFL … Ben Tate will have a workout with the 49ers on Tuesday. San Francisco’s top three running backs are all injured. Reggie Bush tore his ACL Sunday, Mike Davis has a broken hand and Carlos Hyde is dealing with a stress fracture in his left foot … Khiry Robinson broke his right tibia Sunday against the Giants. He’s out for the season … Ricardo Lockette has ligament damage in his neck and will need season-ending surgery. He suffered the injury on a scary hit Sunday against the Cowboys. Dallas safety Jeff Heath was flagged for an illegal blindside block on the play … DeSean Jackson returned to practice Monday and expects to play Sunday against the Patriots. He’s missed Washington’s last six games with a strained hamstring … The Jets’ top two quarterbacks are both banged up. Ryan Fitzpatrick hurt his thumb Sunday while Geno Smith is battling a left shoulder injury. Coach Todd Bowles acknowledged that Fitzpatrick’s injury will likely require surgery at some point. Rookie Bryce Petty is next up on the depth chart … Bowles said it’s “too early to tell” if Brandon Marshall will play Sunday against Jacksonville. He suffered toe and ankle injuries against Oakland in Week 8 … Sunday was a banner day for us at Rotoworld. Here’s why … If you’re a Season Pass subscriber, you can join me every Thursday at 5 PM ET for a Live Chat. Six teams are on bye this week so I’m happy to answer any start or sit questions you might have.

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