5 big changes the Panthers should consider at the NY Giants in Week 7

Carolina Panthers must adopt a two-back approach

Matt Rhule wasted no time in coming out and declaring the Carolina Panthers were going to adopt a run-first mentality moving forward. Even though they are ranked No. 9 in carries across the league through the first six games.

It’s all well and good for Rhule to claim this. But without Christian McCaffrey carrying the load, it’s going to be a lot more difficult.

Giving rookie Chuba Hubbard a huge workload until McCaffrey returns might do more harm than good. The fourth-round pick has done well all things considered, but asking the former Oklahoma State star to acquire the sort of work we saw Dalvin Cook do for the Minnesota Vikings in Week 6 would be pushing things.

Hubbard might be an every-down back in the future. But not right now and certainly not while his problems persist from a pass-catching perspective.

Sharing the responsibility with Royce Freeman could allow the Panthers to go with the run more often than not. Although much will also depend on the level of push generated by the offensive line.

There appears little doubt that Hubbard will generate the majority of touches. But Freeman’s proven production in tandem with Phillip Lindsay from his time with the Denver Broncos shouldn’t be overlooked and something that could really help in Week 7 and possibly beyond.