CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera says two things became apparent to him after looking at tape of the Panthers 22-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.The missed opportunities was probably the biggest thing, more so than anything else, and some of the penalties, Rivera said Monday. We had some really good things that went on, some really good plays, then you kinda look at them and its almost silly to have those kind of penalties committed.Rivera said those missed opportunities, as well as protecting quarterback Cam Newton, need to be corrected as Carolina opens a three-game stretch of NFC South division games starting Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.While the Falcons offense has put up league-leading numbers, their defense has struggled, especially against the pass. Heading into Monday nights game against the New Orleans Saints, Atlanta is fifth-worst in the league in yards allowed (412.5) and tied for ninth in passing yards allowed (290.0), with seven passing TDs in two games.That could be just what the Panthers offense needs to get back on track, especially after following up a 46-point effort against the San Francisco 49ers two weeks ago by getting shut out by the Vikings over the final three quarters Sunday.This season, in Atlantas first two games, its defense gave up four touchdowns and 281 passing yards to Tampa Bays Jameis Winston in a Week 1 loss to the Buccaneers, and three TDs and 299 yards to Oaklands Derek Carr in beating the Raiders last week.That has offset a Falcons offense that leads the NFL in yards per game (451.0) and is second in scoring (29.5 per game).You look at the games theyve been in, and they havent been complete blowouts until later on, Rivera said. When youre not making plays, youre getting attacked. Were looking forward to it. Our guys have an opportunity to put themselves in a good position in an important game.But this years performance is no guarantee of success, Carolina offensive coordinator Mike Shula said.You go back to our games last year, and they were two totally different games, Shula added. We had a lot of big plays in the first game (a 38-0 Panthers win Dec. 13, 2015), and they did a good job in the second game taking those big plays away (a 20-13 Falcons win Dec. 27).Were going to look at balance. Were going to look at making good decisions and getting the ball out on time.That was part of the Panthers problems against the Vikings.Carolina led 10-0 two-thirds of the way through the first quarter and had more net yardage than the Vikings (306-211). But the Panthers let Minnesota back in the game, giving up a sack and safety on Newton later in the first quarter, followed by a 54-yard punt return for a score by Marcus Sherels late in the second quarter.The Vikings went on to sack Newton eight times total in Sundays 22-10 victory, the most last years NFL MVP has been taken down since the 2014 season. He was also hit four more times, and rushed into throwing three interceptions.While Newton finished with 262 passing yards, he was held to 95 yards in the second half and was 8 of 17. Even worse, his two biggest receiving targets -- 6-foot-5 Kelvin Benjamin and 6-4 Devin Funchess -- were held without a reception on three combined targets.Weve got to find a way to get him the ball more, Shula said of Benjamin, who led the Panthers in receptions (13) and receiving yards (199) entering Sundays game. But we need to do it in a way where were not forcing the ball.Penalties also hurt the Panthers, especially at crucial moments. In the second quarter Benjamin was called for an illegal block on Minnesotas Trae Waynes that nullified a 56-yard touchdown catch-and-run by Fozzy Whittaker.You dont do your job, you dont do things the way youre supposed to, youre going to get beat at the end of the day, Rivera said. It doesnt matter whether youre a first-year player or a 10th-year player, you are going to make a mistake. We got caught on that, and got put in a bad situation.This was our third game. Weve played two teams that were in the playoffs last year. Weve had our ups and downs. Weve had our moments against them, Rivera said. What weve got to be able to do is eliminate the lows, and play consistent.---Online: AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Under Armour Sale Australia . The veteran safety was a starter for the Bengals from 2008-2012. He totaled 41 tackles and three interceptions while starting all but four of the 13 games he played last season. Cheap Under Armour Shoes Australia . -- PGA TOUR Canada member Steve Saunders took a three-stroke lead Saturday in the Web. http://www.cheapaustraliaunderarmour.com/ . Lack made 20 saves for his third shutout of the season as the Canucks blanked the St. Louis Blues 1-0 in the first post-Olympic game for both teams night. Discount Under Armour Australia . -- Stanfords Kevin Danser knelt on one knee and hardly moved on the sideline as Michigan State celebrated its Rose Bowl victory and his Cardinal teammates made their way to the locker room. Under Armour Outlet Australia . I cant pinpoint a date, but I do remember a player from my youth. Brian Downing was with the Chicago White Sox at a time when I listened to every game I possibly could on the radio. That particular season the late great Harry Caray was calling the White Sox games. In leading his team to an NBA-best 10-2 start, Clippers point guard Chris Paul has been arguably the leagues best player. Behind career-high 45.8 percent 3-point shooting, Paul leads the NBA in player efficiency rating (PER) and Basketball-Reference.coms win shares.Earlier this week, Paul offered an unlikely explanation for why hes off to such a hot start: corrected vision. Paul shared with reporters that after years of faking his way through eye tests and squinting to see play calls from the sideline, he underwentt Lasik eye surgery over the summer.ddddddddddddMy brother sent me a text the other day saying my percentage is up because of my Lasik eye surgery, Paul said. I was laughing, but my doctor did the surgery -- who was amazing by the way -- his other clients, he said their percentages actually went up the next season.Could Lasik really explain why Paul is shooting so well? Lets take a look. ' ' '