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Carolina Panthers: Three keys to stopping Los Angeles Rams

By Danny Jaillet

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 06: Quarterback Case Keenum #17 of the Los Angeles Rams calls for a huddle during the second quarter of the game against the Carolina Panthers at the Los Angeles Coliseum on November 6, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 06: Quarterback Case Keenum #17 of the Los Angeles Rams calls for a huddle during the second quarter of the game against the Carolina Panthers at the Los Angeles Coliseum on November 6, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Keep an eye on the running backs

The Carolina Panthers defense needs to watch out for the Los Angeles rushing attack. Running back Todd Gurley should be a priority on their list. Even though he has had trouble with arthritis in his knee, he still can play at a high level. His 1,251 rushing yards last year are proof of that.

Carolina ranked fourth in the National Football League in rushing yards given up last year with 133.5. Giving up 2,136 yards on the season, stopping the run was certainly not their specialty at times. They cannot afford to let a running back like Gurley run all over them. If they do, it could make for a long day. Allowing the Rams to establish a running game makes the Carolina Panthers defense more susceptible to a passing attack. With the arm of Jared Goff and the group of wide receivers he has, that cannot happen either. This is a multifaceted attack that is undoubtedly buoyed by the running game.

Carolina needs to stack the box and bring pressure up the middle. With guys like Gerald McCoy, Mario Addison, and Kawaan Short, they certainly have the personnel to do that. They just need to be able to make sure that they do not miss on their tackles and get to Gurley quickly. If they do not, it could make for a long afternoon.

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