3 Panthers position groups that must step up vs. Saints in Week 2

Carolina Panthers OL

This may be a weekly ask, but the Carolina Panthers offensive line will have their work cut out for them.

On the New Orleans Saints front, six-time Pro Bowler Cameron Jordan will fill the outside while Christian Ringo and Malcolm Roach will clog middle. This is a formidable group which has the ability to overpower the Panthers’ protection featured by a mediocre left tackle and guard play.

As evidence by his days in a New York Jets uniform, Sam Darnold does not do well under duress and is prone to mistake when pressured. The front five will have to work in unison to open holes for Christian McCaffrey and provide ample time for the signal-caller to go through his reads on passing plays without being flushed from the pocket and on the run.

This has to be a collective effort, there’s no getting away from it. The Jets managed to generate some notable pressure – especially from the interior – and Darnold deserves some credit for standing in the pocket and making decisive throws when someone was flying in his face.

New Orleans will be without Marcua Davenport this week through injury, which will help Carolina’s cause. But if the offensive line doesn’t make the necessary adjustments against a much more formidable defense, it’s going to make things extremely difficult for the Panthers to come away with another win.