4 bold changes the Panthers must consider after Week 15 thumping

Carolina Panthers should make D.J. Moore the focal point

While adopting a run-first mentality is playing to the team’s strengths at the moment, the Pittsburgh Steelers won’t be the only ones that figure out a way to counteract this threat quickly. And one doesn’t have to look all that far to see the problems that emerge when the Carolina Panthers get in a hole early.

D’Onta Foreman and Chuba Hubbard are forming a nice tandem. But there’s still no denying that D.J. Moore is Carolina’s best weapon on offense by a considerable margin.

Moore made strides in Week 15 following his anonymous contribution against the Seattle Seahawks. His chemistry with Sam Darnold is improving and the quarterback being forced into additional responsibilities seemed to work out well for the one-time Maryland standout.

This goes against everything the Panthers have built under Steve Wilks. However, if they want to stand any chance of winning the NFC South, then making Moore their focal point could be a risk worth taking.

Carolina doesn’t possess many borderline elite playmakers now that Christian McCaffrey is no longer around. Running the football remains a key part of the scheme, but getting Moore touches early and often could bear fruit over the Panthers’ final three contests.

Those in power paid Moore like a true No. 1 wideout last summer. So why not use him as such?