4 ongoing problems holding the Carolina Panthers back
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers run defense
It’s no coincidence that when the Carolina Panthers cannot stop the run, bad things happen. Phil Snow’s unit is giving up more than 150 yards per game in every loss this season, which came to fruition once again by shipping 190 against the Washington Football Team in Week 11.
This is clearly something of a concern. Especially considering the talent across Carolina’s front seven that has four first-round picks occupying prominent starting positions.
The Panthers are giving up 114.5 yards per game on the ground – including 135.3 yards over their last three games. They are also conceding 120.5 yards every home game on average, which isn’t good enough in the grand scheme of things.
Gap discipline and execution.
That’s the only way this statistic is going to get better.
It’s also helped that the Panthers played with a commanding lead early in the campaign. This takes the pressure off as teams have to move the ball quickly down the field, something that hasn’t been the case in recent weeks outside of their stunning upset at the Arizona Cardinals.
Some run statistics are more concerning than others. But the talent is there for things to get better providing the offense lives up to its end of the bargain.