Empty backfield vs. Carolina Panthers pass defense
When you have weapons you want to use them and the Washington Football team certainly has them on offense. This makes them leave Taylor Heinicke in an empty backfield more often than not.
That can be a great thing unless the first read isn’t open and the quarterback has to hold onto the ball for any period of time. Because there is not going to be any help.
This kind of scheme is built around getting the ball out quickly and a belief that your receivers can get open on their first move. That is its biggest weakness and also the Carolina Panthers’ biggest strength.
Pass coverage has rapidly become the strong suit of the Panthers defense and receivers have consistently found it hard to get any kind of space against Donte Jackson and Stephon Gilmore. Shaq Thompson and A.J. Bouye have also pitched in some incredible performances along the way.
So with that kind of lockdown capability on the backend, that first read will more often than not be covered and Heinicke will have to hold onto the ball just a little bit longer.
That extra read in the pocket will give the Panthers pass rush the time they need to shed their blocks and get into a backfield devoid of any chips or extra protection. And that is without even mentioning the possibility of Phil Snow dialing up plenty of blitzes.
If the coverage keeps up its stellar play, Heinicke will be doing a lot of running around a dirty pocket and this Panthers team just might make a jump up the sack rankings.
This has the makings of a fun day in Carolina.