What keys will determine who comes out on top between the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals in Week 4 at Bank of America Stadium?
The losing streak of nine games dating back to last season is finally over. The Carolina Panthers defeated the New Orleans Saints and will now look to build on their triumph this weekend.
Another first of 2022 for Carolina was getting in the defensive takeaway column, not just once but forcing the Saints to turn the ball over three times. The turnover differential was a huge factor in the Panthers securing a much-needed victory at home.
The Panthers improved slightly on third down from 2-for-12 in Week 2 to 4-for-14 versus the Saints. It’s not much, but look for the ratio to keep increasing as the season progresses and more chemistry is built.
The Panthers didn’t turn the ball over, which is a plus. However, Ben McAdoo’s offense still struggled to find the end zone despite the long touchdown from newcomer Laviska Shenault Jr. on his Carolina debut.
The offense needs to find more ways to ensure that D.J. Moore gets the ball as three total touches in Week 3 was not enough. McAdoo must come up with the right plan to keep Christian McCaffrey, Moore, and Shenault all involved, which should also ease the ongoing pressure on quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Next up is the Arizona Cardinals, who come to Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte with a record of 1-2 after suffering a 20-12 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. The Panthers are slightly favored according to FanDuel Sportsbook, which could build a tremendous amount of confidence moving forward.
With that being said, here are three essential components to a potential Panthers victory in Week 4 against the Cardinals.
Carolina Panthers must be efficient on offense
It’s no secret that the Carolina Panthers biggest weakness so far in 2022 is the ability to pass the football. Baker Mayfield hasn’t played his best through first three games and he’s been on record saying that.
Not all of the blame for the struggles in the passing game belong to Mayfield. Ben McAdoo needs to put him in better situations for him to be more successful.
Christian McCaffrey is the offense’s biggest threat to defenses and thrives in the passing game, but he hasn’t had many opportunities to showcase his skill set in the open field. McAdoo needs to incorporate more routes in the open field for the All-Pro, which will allow him to receive the ball in space for potentially bigger gains.
Carolina’s offensive coordinator also needs involve D.J. Moore frequently. Three touches in Week 3 is unacceptable, even though Mayfield missed the former first-round pick badly on three separate occasions.
Call a screen, drag or even a hitch for Moore and let him go to work. Give him more action out of the backfield if that’s what it takes.
Mayfield has to be more accurate and should be moving forward. It would also help his success and confidence if McAdoo can make it easier on him in the coming weeks.
Carolina Panthers must wreak havoc on defense
The Carolina Panthers defense played tremendously in Week 3 against the New Orleans Saints. Phil Snow has a lot of confidence in this group and they should continue to improve as the season goes along.
One thing that fans would like to see more is sacking the quarterback. Through three games, the Panthers defense has five sacks, so increasing this number could help them take the next step into an elite unit.
Brian Burns will look to tally a few sacks versus the Arizona Cardinals. The Florida State product has two already, but is second in the entire NFL in pressures with 17 according to Pro Football Focus.
The defense needs to get some production from the other side of the defensive line opposite Burns. Whether that’s Yetur Gross-Matos or Marquis Haynes, they must have consistent pressure on both edges.
Matt Ioannidis has one sack on the season, and look for the player opposite of him in Derrick Brown to get in the backfield to continue his solid play so far . The more pressure gets generated, the better Carolina’s chances will be of getting themselves back to .500.
If they can accomplish this, then there’s just no telling what this team might be capable of despite some tough games upcoming on the schedule.
Carolina Panthers must contain Kyler Murray
The Carolina Panthers have done a good job of containing quarterbacks and limiting them through three games. With that being said, Kyler Murray is one of the most dangerous they’ll come up against in 2022.
Murray has thrown for 784 yards with three touchdowns and one interception in 2022 with a completion percentage is 63.8. The former No. 1 overall selection has been sacked five times and the Panthers will attempt to increase that number in Week 4.
One thing that Murray has yet to get going this year is his rushing ability. He has just 12 attempts for 65 yards, which is 5.4 yards-per-carry. A major surprise considering this is arguably his biggest strength.
Murray hasn’t had a monster game so far in 2022 and the Panthers’ defense will be trying to prevent that from happening to secure another win at home. Restricting Murray’s ability to create plays out of nothing will go a long way to determining a positive outcome for head coach Matt Rhule.
Fans can expect Phil Snow to assign a “spy” on Murray at all times. Chances are that it will be Jeremy Chinn or Shaq Thompson playing the role – one they must excel at in no uncertain terms.
If the Panthers’ defense contains Murray – specifically on the ground – the chances of Carolina ending the game victorious rise exponentially.