Carolina Panthers: Run defense fails team in tough loss
The run defense did not perform well for the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.
It was a rough game for the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. The Panthers lost on Sunday for multiple reasons. However, one glaring thing stood out throughout the course of the day. The run defense was not sharp at all.
Just taking a look at the box score will tell you that. Aaron Jones led the rushing attack for the Green Bay Packers. He carried the ball 13 times for 93 yards and three touchdowns. A 28-yard run was his longest of the afternoon. Perhaps one of the more glaring statistics was the amount of yards the Panthers gave up per carry. Jones averaged 7.2 yards per touch.
Even the backups managed to slice and dice the Carolina Panthers defense. Jamaal Williams carried the ball 13 times for 63 yards. A 16-yard scamper was his longest of the afternoon and Williams averaged 4.8 yards per carry. Anytime you give up more than three yards per carry, you’re not putting yourself in a position to succeed.
Many of us were worried about what Aaron Rodgers would do to the Carolina Panthers. Granted, Rodgers had a decent day he went to 17-of-29 on the afternoon throwing for 233 yards. He did not have a touchdown, which is rare for him. Instead, Jones picked up the slack on the ground, scoring three on the afternoon.
We knew this game was going to be a tough one. Anytime you play the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field, the odds are against you. Nevertheless, it was disheartening to see the Carolina Panthers run defense play so badly. As result, it created a domino effect. The Carolina Panthers gave up 10 points in the third quarter. According to a statistic from Bill Voth of Panthers.com, the team has allowed a league-high 72 points in the third quarter. The only time they haven’t given up at least a touchdown was when Tampa Bay kicked a field goal in London.
The lack of run defense was concerning. Furthermore, it gave opponents a blueprint to try and beat the Carolina Panthers. This defense isn’t the same as it was at the beginning of the season. That is also concerning. Carolina needs to fix things before it’s too late. Otherwise, another season will have gone down the drain. I hate to put it like that, but it is the truth. Hopefully they will right the ship quickly and get things fixed.