NASHVILLE – Like he did when speaking to his team following their 34-27 preseason loss to the Titans, head coach Ron Rivera stood at the podium and repeated one theme over and over.
Physicality.
"We have to be a physical football team if we want to give ourselves an opportunity to win games," Rivera said at his postgame press conference.
The focus of Carolina's offseason, particularly on the offensive side of the ball, has been the need for speed, and understandably so after the team drafted Christian McCaffrey and Curtis Samuel.
But Rivera took a few minutes Saturday at Nissan Stadium to remind everyone listening that the Panthers must be able to control a game at the line of scrimmage if they want to return to the winnings ways of 2015.
"If we can be physical in nature up front, and dictate to the defense…," Rivera said, "it should open up some other things for us."
By and large, Rivera didn't see enough physicality on display against Tennessee, although Carolina finished with 167 rushing yards (only 48 of which came from the starters in the first half). But there was one seemingly routine play – a 3-yard gain – that got Rivera's attention. And, as he explained, led to bigger gains.
"To me, and you guys probably didn't notice it, but one of the really good plays in this game was a 3-yard run by Jonathan Stewart," Rivera said. "It was physical football. We had great surge, great push and Jonathan ran hard inside to pick up (three) yards."
Immediately following Stewart's hard-earned three yards, McCaffrey gained 13 yards up the middle and quarterback Derek Anderson connected with wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin for 11.
On the next play, McCaffrey exploded through an opening around the right side for a 17-yard touchdown.
"That, to me, is what we've got to get back to," Rivera said. "We have to get back to playing physical football."
Last year, the Panthers ' franchise-record 35-game streak of 100-plus yards was snapped in a Week 4 loss to the Falcons, and Rivera didn't hide his disappointment.
"I'm crushed by that, too," he said at the time. "Because I think it's important. I think it's something that we have to make sure we stay on top of."
Being able to pound the ball has become a hallmark of a successful offense for Rivera's Panthers. And after that physical edge faded during a 6-10 season, he won't let anyone forget it.
View photos from Carolina's preseason game at Tennessee.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, center, yells on the sideline in the first half of an NFL football preseason game between the Panthers and the Tennessee Titans Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker (82) catches a 4-yard touchdown pass ahead of Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Thomas Davis (58) in the first half of an NFL football preseason game Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey dives into the end zone for a touchdown on a 17-year run ahead of Tennessee Titans cornerback Brice McCain (23) in the first half of an NFL football preseason game Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey (22) celebrates after scoring a touchdown on a 17-year run against the Tennessee Titans in the first half of an NFL football preseason game Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. At left is Panthers wide receiver Devin Funchess (17) and at right is Tennessee Titans cornerback Adoree' Jackson (25). (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) carries the ball against Carolina Panthers defensive back Teddy Williams (21) and linebacker Jeremy Cash (57) in the first half of an NFL football preseason game Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey (22) carries the ball against the Tennessee Titans in the first half of an NFL football preseason game Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Carolina Panthers tight end Ed Dickson (84) is stopped by Tennessee Titans linebacker Erik Walden (58) in the first half of an NFL football preseason game Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Matt Cassel (16) jumps past Carolina Panthers linebacker Jeremy Cash (57) as linebacker David Mayo (55) also give chase in the first half of an NFL football preseason game Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Carolina Panthers running back Cameron Artis-Payne (34) scores a touchdown on a 1-yard run against the Tennessee Titans in the second half of an NFL football preseason game Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Carolina Panthers running back Cameron Artis-Payne (34) celebrates Darrel Young (36) and Eric Wallace (46) after Artis-Payne scored a touchdown on a 1-yard run against the Tennessee Titans in the second half of an NFL football preseason game Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans running back David Fluellen (32) is hit by Carolina Panthers defensive back Teddy Williams (21) in the second half of an NFL football preseason game Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Alex Tanney (11) is sacked by Carolina Panthers linebacker Jeremy Cash (57) for an 8-yard loss in the second half of an NFL football preseason game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Carolina Panthers kicker Graham Gano (9) celebrates with quarterback Cam Newton after Gano kicked a 37-yard field goal against the Tennessee Titans in the second half of an NFL football preseason game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Austin Duke (16) can't grab a pass in the end zone as he is defended by Tennessee Titans defensive back Kalan Reed (24) in the second half of an NFL football preseason game Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Garrett Gilbert (4) fumbles the ball as he is hit by Tennessee Titans outside linebacker Aaron Wallace (52) late in the fourth quarter of an NFL football preseason game Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans recovered the ball and scored the winning touchdown on the following play. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
