The Carolina Panthers are in Glendale today looking to rebound from a disastrous Week 1, as they take on an Arizona Cardinals team that they’ve owned. The Panthers won the last seven out of eight matchups dating back to the 2015 season.
Ikem Ekonwu is expected to return to the lineup after missing Week 1. The left tackle was limited in practice this week as he continues to recover from an appendectomy. Ekonwu’s presence in the lineup should bolster a unit that only rushed for 113 total yards against Jacksonville.
Panthers head coach Dave Canales said days leading up to Week 2 that the team realizes there is a sense of urgency, and the focus is heightened.
If Carolina wants to make it eight out of nine against the Cardinals, here are the keys to make that happen.
Utilize Renfrow
Bryce Young and the Panthers’ offense missed a gang of opportunities in Week 1 against the Jaguars. Of the missed opportunities that stood out to me the most is not utilizing Hunter Renfrow properly.
Renfrow can gain separation, and he can be a solid security blanket for Young if he’s included in the offense, and if Young can throw well-timed balls his way.
In this still, Renfrow beats Jourdan Lewis on a pick route.
Young made this pass difficult by trying to avoid a hit.
Notice how Josh Hines-Allen shredded back-up tackle Yosh Nijman and pressured Young. In an attempt to avoid a hit or sack, Young jumped, which affected the timing of the throw; the pass was incomplete. Had Young stayed in his stance, the pass to Renfrow would have been completed. The opportunity for a touchdown was wasted due to a difficult throw.
The pass to Tetairoa McMillan on 4th-and-five wasn’t a bad option. It just wasn’t the best option for the situation. At the eight-second mark, notice the space Renfrow has to make the catch. There was ample opportunity to come back to the ball and get the first down.
Renfrow can be what Adam Thielen was-a dependable target who can consistently my I get open. It’s up to Young to recognize it and get him involved more.
Stop The Run
The biggest weakness in Carolina’s 3-4 scheme is their inability to stop the run. In their last seven games, the Panthers allowed opposing offenses to run for 200 yards or more. In December, the Cardinals rushed for 206 against Carolina’s porous rush defense. James Connor rushed for 117 yards on 15 carries and had a rushing success rate of 60%, the best success rate he had all season. Carolina can’t afford to let that happen again. They could target some of Arizona’s weak links and blitz more.
Pressure Kyler Murray
Carolina’s pressure percentage in Week 1 was a paltry 12.1 percent. They only had four pressures against the Jaguars. One of the reasons for that may be the fact that it is usually the secondary that’s making the tackles because the opposing backs are getting past the Panthers’ front seven with not much resistance.
Carolina tends to line up in a 4-2-5 formation. In this still, there’s DJ Wonum, A’Shawn Robinson, Tershawn Wharton, and DJ Robinson in front. The linebackers are Christian Rozeboom and Trevin Wallace, followed by the secondary. Wonum and Robinson are too wide. The problem with that is the gaps that occur after the ball is snapped.
The front seven is getting worked right here. The linemen are getting outmuscled, and the linebackers are contained. This is one of the reasons why their pressure rate was so low in Week 1. The alignment itself may be practical, but it can stand to be tighter. Bring the outside linebackers closer to the tackles to help close space.
Kickoff is at 4pm eastern.
Turning The Page: Keys To Week 2 Panthers Win Over the ‘Cards