4 things the Panthers need to improve following Week 6 loss
By Dean Jones
Turning pressure into sacks
The Carolina Panthers did a nice job of improving their pressure on Nick Foles in the second half against the Bears. But it was virtually non-existent to start the contest.
If stud defensive end Brian Burns isn’t getting in the backfield consistently, then nobody else seems up to the challenge. Second-round pick Yetur Gross-Matos is set to miss at least the next fortnight with a high ankle sprain and his presence on the line of scrimmage is sorely missed.
Opposing teams will know the danger Burns possesses and will focus their attention on stopping him at all costs. Marquis Haynes has a couple of sacks on the year from a rotational role. But free-agent signing Stephen Weatherly hasn’t registered a quarterback takedown as yet during an inconsistent start to life in Carolina.
The Panthers have just five sacks to their name through six weeks of the season. They are now starting to find some rhythm after some earlier struggles in this area. But they don’t seem to be getting to the spot in time.
This is putting additional pressure on their secondary, who have performed above expectations so far. It doesn’t exactly help that Carolina isn’t getting any pass-rush from their linebacking corps, who is becoming a real weak link outside of star rookie Jeremy Chinn.