After a disastrous 2016 season, the Carolina Panthers’ coaches promised there would be an “evolution” on offense. During Sunday’s win against the San Francisco 49ers, we finally saw them deliver on their promise.

Evolving the offense meant they needed to find ways to get the ball out of Cam Newton’s hands quicker. One of the easiest and most efficient ways to do this is by using running backs as receivers, either by having them run routes out of the backfield, by motioning them to wide receiver, or by using them in the screen game.

The Panthers effectively utilized both their running backs as receivers on Sunday, from a variety of alignments and formations.

Routes out of the backfield

The Panthers wasted no time showing off their new offense, as on the second play of the game they come out in a 3x1 formation from 11 personnel (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WR).

Rookie running back Christian McCaffrey runs a simple curl route towards the weak side of the formation, behind Greg Olsen’s out route. Newton sees Olsen is well covered, so he smartly checks it down to McCaffrey who is able to gain a quick 7 yards.

Later in the game, the Panthers once again come out with a 3x1 formation, this time with Kelvin Benjamin as the backside receiver.

Christian McCaffrey runs a “Texas” route (also called angle route). McCaffrey is covered early in the play, but a collapsing pocket forces Cam to scramble, and McCaffrey does an excellent job continuing his route to get open. Cam is able to get the pass out and McCaffrey picks up a solid 15 yards and a first down.

Christian McCaffrey wasn’t the only running back the Panthers used as a receiver out of the backfield — Jonathan Stewart also ran some routes last Sunday, and here’s a simple curl route over the middle of the field.

Stewart is able to shake off the linebacker for an 8 yard gain on first down.

Stewart might not be a quick-twitch runner or route specialist like McCaffrey, but his value as a receiver out of the backfield lies in his ability to get yards after the catch, especially after first contact.

Routes from receiver alignment

The Panthers used Stewart and McCaffrey as flex receivers both outside and in the slot, but neither running back had a reception when lined up at receiver.

The Panthers are in 12 personnel (1 RB, 2 TE, 2 WR) empty backfield, with McCaffrey lined up as a slot receiver.

Here, the Panthers are in 21 personnel (2 RB, 1 TE, 2 WR) in a double stack formation, with McCaffrey as the outside receiver.

On this play, the Panthers are once again in 21 personnel, with an empty backfield formation. Jonathan Stewart is lined up as an outside wide receiver, while Christian McCaffrey is lined up in the slot.

The screen game

The Panthers had some success with their screen game with both Stewart and McCaffrey.

Here’s a simple screen pass to McCaffrey, who is able to pick up 16 yards behind solid blocking from offensive tackle Daryl Williams.

On this play, the Panthers have McCaffrey run a misdirection flat route, while they get the screen pass to Stewart out of the backfield, who is then able to score the 9 yard touchdown.

Passes to running backs accounted for almost a third of Cam Newton’s passing yards against the 49ers:

It will be interesting to see how the Panthers continue to use both Stewart and McCaffrey as mismatches in the passing game moving forward.