3 under-the-radar stats from Teddy Bridgewater’s Panthers’ debut

2.3 seconds average pocket time

There were plenty of concerns surrounding just how much protection Teddy Bridgewater was going to get in 2020. The Carolina Panthers brought in three new starters across their offensive line in a bid to turnaround their fortunes. But the preseason predictions of struggle were answered in no uncertain terms.

Bridgewater received the necessary time to go through his reads efficiently. The line was solid throughout and kept the pocket clean. This saw the signal-caller get 2.3-seconds to get rid of the football on average.

This was just 0.2 seconds less than what he received during his five games under center for the New Orleans Saints last season. When one considers how much that group it revered, this is immensely encouraging for the Panthers going forward.

Russell Okung and Taylor Moton provided a bookend presence on the edge against the Raiders. Bridgewater also got some nice play from the interior trio of John Miller, Matt Paradis, and Michael Schofield, who was filling in for the injured Dennis Daley.

If this average is kept up or even improved as the campaign goes on, it is going to stand Bridgewater and the Panthers in enormously good stead. It was just one game. But the protection problems predicted might be a thing of the past if this performance was any indication.