Here are some bold predictions for the Carolina Panthers going into their Week 4 showdown against the Arizona Cardinals at Bank of America Stadium.
Heading into Week 4, the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals are each one of 14 teams with a record of 1-2 and have both scored 62 points on the season.
In the middle of a three-game homestand before heading west to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 6, Matt Rhule’s squad needs to take advantage of a Cardinals roster with numerous established players either missing, suspended, or not at full strength.
Hurricane Ian will make its presence felt with plenty of rain and wind impacting each team’s passing and kicking. Expect to see both offenses run the ball more often which will keep the clock ticking, leading to longer drives.
Anticipate a lower-scoring game with neither team reaching the 30-point mark.
Despite high expectations prior to the season, the Kyler Murray-led Cardinals have not lived up to the billing as yet and will be looking to put that right against the Panthers. The run game has not seen any rusher reach 100 yards on the season, five-time Pro Bowler DeAndre Hopkins is still in street clothes, and the defense has given up a bevy of points.
On the other side of the coin, the Panthers have also not lived up to what many thought would be an improved roster after a dismal 2021 season. Unfortunately, Baker Mayfield has not found a groove leading the offense, and even though Christian McCaffrey finally has back-to-back games of 100 yards rushing, he is still underutilized in the passing game.
In a battle of back-to-back Heisman Trophy winners, both quarterbacks desperately need a win to calm the frustration of their respective fan bases. Let’s look at four bold predictions for Sunday’s matchup.
Carolina Panthers secure 150+ rushing yards
The Carolina Panthers’ main strength on offense over the last two games has been running the football. Quarterback Baker Mayfield has struggled through the air, but Christian McCaffrey has finally looked like a throwback to his 2019 campaign on the ground to provide some stability.
Even with a potential injury to his thigh, indications are that McCaffrey will be on the field versus the Arizona Cardinals. To spell him, D’Onta Foreman and Chuba Hubbard are able to man the role when necessary, giving the Panthers a downhill option, outside speed, and their do-it-all star.
Arizona is one of the more blitz-happy defenses in the league, pressuring opposing quarterbacks on many passing downs. Since Mayfield has yet to find consistency with his receiving corps, expect offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo to shift his play calling to the ground game.
Combine that with the lashing rain and wind effects of Hurricane Ian, and this becomes the primary emphasis. Something that could lead the running back trio to more than 150 rushing yards.
Carolina Panthers’ defense gets a pick 6
Week 3 saw the Carolina Panthers’ defense come alive, showcasing their abilities through the air and ground while forcing turnovers.
Against the New Orleans Saints, Marquis Haynes had a 44-yard scoop and score after linebacker Frankie Luvu stripped Alvin Kamara in the first quarter. The perfect start for a team devoid of any real confidence heading into the contest.
Phil Snow’s defense held the Saints’ offense to zero points through the first three quarters. They also brought some creative blitzes in quarterback Jameis Winston’s direction that left the former No. 1 overall selection flustered and out of ideas.
Looking ahead to Carolina’s cash against the Arizona Cardinals, Kyler Murray is more versatile and mobile than Winston. His elite elusiveness makes people miss at will, which is something the Panthers must adapt to in pursuit of victory.
With continued momentum from last week and Snow’s squad finding their feet, we will see Murray pressured, flushed out of the pocket, and trusting in his arm to make throws on the run.
The Panthers’ secondary would love to have the Thieves Avenue moniker back. Getting a pick-six on one of these errant throws by Murray could energize an offense that’s finding life difficult to put up the points needed.
Laviska Shenault Jr. leads Carolina Panthers in receiving yards
D.J. Moore is a professional in every sense of the word with three straight seasons gaining at least 1,100 yards from scrimmage. Robbie Anderson has the history with Baker Mayfield and the speed to blow by most defenders on any given play.
However, it was Laviska Shenault Jr. who caught the eye in Week 3, picking up a short route from Mayfield and taking it 67 yards for a crucial touchdown. Something the Carolina Panthers could benefit from once again this weekend providing the recent acquisition is fit enough to participate.
Opposing teams have plenty of Panthers’ game tape on Moore and Anderson. Sadly, no other receiver has made an impact on a game yet as Shi Smith is coming in with four receptions for 36 receiving yards on the season.
Shenault Jr., who played two seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, was brought in by general Scott Fitterer for 2023 seventh-round and 2024 sixth-round selections. He is the wild card in the receiving room who can fill that much-needed third role on the team.
Ben McAdoo has the chance to deploy Shenault Jr. on advantageous matchups against linebackers leading to openings in the break on route running. However, Arizona is athletic at the second level with the likes of Zaven Collins and Isaiah Simmons making things happen.
As Baker Mayfield is still finding chemistry with the receiving corps, the Cardinals’ defense will prioritize slowing down Moore and Anderson, leaving Shenault Jr. as the man to lead all Panthers in receiving yards for the second week in a row.
Carolina Panthers return a punt/kickoff for a TD
This was a prediction last week that did not come true. But we are sticking with it given the encouraging signs last weekend and the potential for further growth.
Shi Smith is shifty and has been one tackle away from the long run. And Laviska Shenault Jr. also caught the eye with two impressive kickoff returns when called upon in Week 3.
With dismal weather in the forecast and potentially more punts, opportunities should be there. Combine this with the wet turf and wind, special teams have a huge part to play in the overall outcome on Sunday.
For any team, these are few and far between. But the conditions are perfect in Week 4 to see a punt or kickoff return brought back to the house.
Special teams coordinator Chris Tabor led the Chicago Bears to consecutive top-10 rankings in 2020 and 2021, leading to high expectations of his unit. His presence already looks to be reaping some significant rewards on the Carolina Panthers in such a short space of time.
This is the week Panther nation will celebrate as all three units get a touchdown. Something that would likely get this team back to 2-2 and provide renewed hope that a wildcard spot might not be unattainable, after all.