4 ways the Panthers can win without Christian McCaffrey in 2022
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers must find the right balance
It didn’t take a genius to figure out that the Carolina Panthers had absolutely no clue of how to function effectively without Christian McCaffrey in 2021. A combination of poor play-calling, suspect quarterback play, struggling pass-catchers, and almost no solid offensive line protection were somehow all masked by the former first-round pick and this was immediately exposed once he went down in Week 3 at the Houston Texans.
This has been the case over the last two years, in all honesty. If the Panthers couldn’t guarantee 30-plus touches from McCaffrey, their offense was stagnant despite the consistency of wide receiver D.J. Moore.
If the same happens this season and the Panthers don’t have a better game plan, then the consequences will be severe.
Carolina is looking toward new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo for guidance and a true contingency plan in the event McCaffrey misses time. One thing that the Panthers must do is have a more balanced approach, which will take the heat off and also make opposing defenses think twice about where the football is going.
This will also enable other players to remain consistent with any enhanced involvement that would come with McCaffrey out. Although it’s going to be a body blow if this occurs for a third-straight year.