The Carolina Panthers have allowed 11 sacks in their last two games, and things could get ugly against the Denver Broncos in Week 9.
Denver enters the matchup ranked fourth in the NFL with 23 sacks. Carolina is coming off a game in which quarterback Bryce Young was sacked six times against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football.
To make matters worse, the Panthers are dealing with a lot of injuries across the roster. And it doesn't help that Carolina is missing some pretty important pieces up front.
Carolina Panthers offensive line must be ready for Denver's ferocious pass rush
Starting right tackle Taylor Moton is already out for the season with a broken fibula and ankle injury, which leaves rookie Monroe Freeling to handle the starting job.
Left guard Damien Lewis missed the Packers game with a knee injury, while backup Corey Bullock suffered a quadriceps injury after stepping into the lineup. Ikem Ekwonu also hasn't played this season as he recovers from a torn patellar tendon.
That's a lot for an offensive line to overcome, especially when the Panthers are already struggling to pick up basic pressure looks. And make no mistake; Denver has the defensive personnel to cause even bigger problems.
Green Bay showed how much trouble the Panthers can have against a four-man rush. Denver has the talent to create similar problems while keeping additional defenders in coverage.
Getting the ball out quickly should also be a priority. The wide receiver tandem of Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker gives Young reliable options in the passing game, but those opportunities become a lot harder to find when the pocket collapses before routes have time to develop.
And with Freeling now handling right tackle duties, Carolina may need to give him additional help against Denver's edge rushers rather than leaving him isolated in pass protection.
Broncos defense could be vulnerable if Bryce Young gets time in the pocket
The Panthers do have one thing working in their favor.
Denver's offense ranks 25th in yards per game and 22nd in points per game, so Carolina shouldn't necessarily need a huge offensive performance to have a chance.
But that assumes the Panthers can sustain drives and avoid the negative plays that have hurt them recently.
Young has already taken 11 sacks in two games. Denver has recorded 23 sacks this season. And Carolina is entering this matchup with an offensive line that's dealing with multiple injuries.
It's a pretty ugly combination.
The Panthers have enough offensive talent to compete with Denver, but that won't mean much if Young doesn't have time to use it.
And after watching what the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Green Bay did to Carolina's offensive line, there's little reason to believe the Broncos won't try to do the exact same thing at Bank of America Stadium.
Add us as a preferred source on Google