4 crucial matchups to watch during Panthers vs. Eagles in Week 5

Carolina Panthers RBs vs. Eagles coverage LBs

After yet another lackluster performance on the ground, rookie Chuba Hubbard is walking down the path toward bust-town, even when you consider the line he is running behind. This will hopefully change against a Philadelphia Eagles team that plays very conservatively with their linebackers and gave up 6.3 yards-per-carry in Week 4.

Linebackers are used in many different ways and forms in the NFL, like Hasson Reddick being listed as one or even the great Demarcus Ware. But they come in three basic breeds; coverage, run stopper or pass rusher. All with their own strengths and weakness.

The Eagles use the coverage type the most so that is what we will discuss here.

A coverage-based linebacker tends to line up a few yards behind the line and act more like a spy or a corner playing in a zone scheme. Just sit back and watch the play develop and react based on what you see.

This tendency works well against the intermediate passing game across the middle but is vulnerable to the run and gives no help from a pass rush perspective.

This is something that could be a boon for both Sam Darnold and Hubbard as they will both have more room to work come Sunday. Without the threat of a linebacker rush, the Carolina Panthers’ offensive line can focus more on blocking what is in front of them.

This also applies for the run as once Hubbard gets through what should be a less crowded line he can use his power. And with how deep they tend to play, the fourth-round pick can get a big head of steam going before first contact which should make any linebacker cringe.

Another thing to consider is that when you play from a reaction-based scheme you are more vulnerable to a one-cut runner like Hubbard. Overcommit on the first direction and he goes the other way, don’t bite on it and he just sticks with the original direction.

This will possibly be the best chance for Hubbard to prove that he belongs in the NFL. He needs to capitalize on it as Christian McCaffrey is nearing a return.