4 keys to victory for the Carolina Panthers at the Chargers in Week 3
By Dean Jones
Generate pressure on Justin Herbert
Justin Herbert really caught the eye on his NFL debut despite coming up against a team that hoisted the Vince Lombardi Trophy last season. He looked assured in the pocket and was not afraid to make the most out of his surprising ability to run the ball.
He will get the start once again this Sunday after Tyrod Taylor remains sidelined after having his lung punctured by a team doctor. But the Carolina Panthers should take Herbert’s threat extremely seriously.
It wasn’t long ago that Herbert was considered as the No. 1 overall pick before returning to Oregon for a senior season that didn’t live up to expectations. Couple this with the emergence of Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa over the last two years and the Chargers might have found themselves a steal at No. 6 overall.
The Panthers should put as much pressure as humanly possible on Herbert, who is only in his second start. However, they have been unable to get into the backfield consistently over the last two games and Carolina is the only team in the NFL that has yet to record a sack.
If the same scenario rears its ugly head at the Chargers, then it will allow Herbert to utilize some outstanding offensive weapons at his disposal. But if the likes of Brian Burns and Stephen Weatherly can get the signal-caller off his spot quickly, it might come with some success.