4 crucial matchups the Panthers must win vs. Washington in Week 11

Wait and see zone vs. Carolina Panthers weapons

I’ve spoken on zone defenses and their strengths and weaknesses in the past. But the Washington Football Team runs an interesting breed of that concept.

It is something I like to call the “wait and see”.

What I mean by this is that the linebackers and corners play further back and are more reactionary to what the quarterback does than what any specific target is doing.

At its core, this is a scheme that relies heavily on speed and instincts. It’s also more about limiting yards after a catch and causing turnovers than forcing incompletions or locking a specific player down.

It is a scheme that can feast on an inexperienced quarterback that hasn’t mastered the art of the lookoff yet or a team that doesn’t have a star weapon that can beat a zone.

Exactly the opposite of what the Carolina Panthers will have on Sunday.

Cam Newton has been in the league long enough to know how to look off a defender. With players like Christian McCaffrey and D.J. Moore, there is no lack of zone beating star talent for good measure.

The only caveat to that is the frustrating lack of any production out of the tight end position, which is the best counter to a zone defense like this one. With Moore able to turn and burn defenders and McCaffrey slipping into the holes left behind by that speed, there will be someone to get the ball to on just about every play.

Giving Moore or McCaffrey open space to work with is a recipe for disaster for any defense as both players are masters at creating after the catch. With the linebackers playing farther back it will leave more of a runway for the All-Pro to build up a head of steam before first contact.

All of that being said, Newton will have to be on his game from an accuracy standpoint as Washington proved against Tom Brady last week.

With the sheer amount of bodies flying around, a ball that is even a little off-target is a turnover waiting to happen. Washington’s offense is just good enough to turn those into points.

Without a firm assignment, the defenders will be able to freely go after the ball.

That could spell a long day if Newton isn’t able to protect the ball. But with the kind of space this scheme will leave the Panthers playmakers, it could be equally as long for Washington.

This matchup will offer no shortage of fireworks. It will be a joy to see just how it turns out.