The Tennessee Titans got their shots in on Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, sacking him five times and roughing him up a bit in the second half on Sunday. In the end, though, it was Newton who hit the Titans (2- 7) where it hurt the most – on the scoreboard. The Panthers left Nissan Stadium with a 27-10 win, and at least some wondered if Newton enjoyed himself too much with his prolonged celebrations. Fans booed him as he ran around the field celebrating.
“He did it all game, which I guess that’s acceptable,’’ Titans interim coach Mike Mularkey said. “It’s not taunting, but in my mind, it is.”
Newton completed his first 11 passes to start the contest, and finished 21-of-26 for 217 yards and a passing touchdown. Titans rookie QB Marcus Mariota went 16-of-24 for 185 yards. Newton also scored on a one-yard touchdown run in the final minutes, as the Panthers sealed the win. A number of Titans didn’t react well after Newton went into a prolonged celebration after the score. Newton ran around the field and handed the football to a Panthers fan.
“I heard somebody say we aren’t going to allow you to do that, but if you don’t want me to do it, then don’t let me in (the end zone). I just like doing it,’’ Newton said afterward. “It’s not to be boastful.
“When you are one of the faces of the NFL, you can get away with a little bit more than some others,’’ Titans cornerback Coty Sensabaugh said. “But it is our job to stop him. If we would have stopped him more, he probably wouldn’t have had as much fun today. It is our job to stop them and we didn’t do that.”
After the game Newton explained to the media that “It’s just fun. It’s really an Atlanta-based dance and a tease.
I’m a kid a heart. My youngest brother played a big win this past week, first playoff game, and he always teases me, ‘Hey brother, you gotta’ do something cool.’ He told me, ‘Dab on those folks,’ and in that tone, too. He’s only 16, but he’s got an Adam’s apple. I try to make my game kid-like so people will see that I’m enjoying what I do. While I have breath in my lungs, while I have the ability to do what I do, I’m going to try to make the most of each and every opportunity. Like I said, I can’t repeat it enough, I’m not doing it to be disrespectful to nobody, more so just doing it just to shine light and get people a smile and having fun doing what I do.”
The Titans had a short week to prepare for Jacksonville, where they played on Thursday night, Nov. 19; results were unavailable at press time. Next the Titans host the Oakland Raiders Sunday, Nov. 29, and the Jaguars on Sunday, Dec. 6, both at Noon CST on CBS.
