Carolina Panthers hungry for road win at Detroit Lions

Question mark about actual pressure from front seven

While the Panthers ‘D’ takes pride in not giving up 100 yards rushing, the burden of proof will be on creating more of the pressure and turnovers defensive coordinator Eric Washington stated as a goal to start the season. (Actually he wanted scores vs. mere turnovers.) They have 11 interceptions so far versus ten all last year- four by rookie cornerback Donte Jackson– but there has still been a steady question mark about the actual pressure the front seven is getting on opposing quarterbacks, considering the high percentages and volume of yardage the Panthers have given up to prime passers they’ve faced so far.

While it seems obvious that passing is the alternative if teams can’t run against them, defense was almost a ‘No Problem’ check mark to start the season, and while a bend-but-don’t-break philosophy is often cited, it sure doesn’t look like success when a limping New York Giants team threw for 383 yards (including WR Odell Beckham‘s TD toss to Saquon Barkley) and Graham Gano‘s 63-yard field goal was the winning play in a 33-31 game.