light statistical musings...

[UpstatePanther]

In six games, Carolina has faced 3 NFC opponents and 3 AFC opponents. Against the NFC opponents, the Panthers have only allowed 15 points per game: 14 @ TB, 7 vs DET, and 24 vs CHI. Against AFC opponents, the Panthers have been a sieve allowing around 37 points per game: 37 vs PIT, 38 @ BAL, 37 @ CIN.

 

I find it interesting that the Panthers have played fairly well against NFC opponents, and have barely showed up to play against the AFC opponents. it leaves me wondering if there is a strategy behind this. Focus less on the AFC games and more on the NFC games for possible tiebreaking purposes later? 

 

Some people have been thinking (myself included) that our struggles were, at least in part, due to playing 3-4 defenses. I suppose something will have to break tomorrow as we are playing our first NFC opponent who plays a 3-4 defense.

 

Dont get me wrong, I dont think the Panthers will go 13-2-1 or 12-3-1 by winning all their remaining NFC games, but if we use our current record to extrapolate our final record, that puts us at around 9.5 wins or 9-6-1.

 

So we only have one more AFC opponent. What about 3-4 defenses? Of the remaining opponents, the Packers, Saints, Falcons, and Cleveland (hybrid 4-3/3-4) run the 3-4. 

 

The Saints and Falcons defenses do not scare me at all. i think its entirely possible that the Panthers run the table in the division this season, at least going 4-2. Cleveland is a scary game for me. They are playing well so far this season. And while the Browns have historically melted down toward the end of promising seasons, this doesnt feel like the Browns team my Dad knew... Green Bay seems like a matchup nightmare for Carolina's defense, and could very well be a loss. 

 

idk Huddlers. I see alot of reason for hope in the fine print here. At the same time, until the defense shows us something resembling the first two games, there seems to be alot of reason for panic too. I wouldnt necessarily expect losses against Cleveland and the NFC 3-4 defenses the Panthers will be playing. But I do expect struggles against them. Neither do I expect the Panthers to show out against the remaining 4-3 defenses. But Carolina will have to turn around one or both of these trends (struggles against AFC teams and 3-4 defenses) to get to the post-season. 

 

i've babbled enough i suppose. This season has been wacky in the NFL and it truly has been "any given sunday" for the entire league. So for the Panthers it all boils down to the mantra "just win baby." I, for one, will simply approach every game expecting the best, but prepared for the worst, enjoying every moment my team is on the field. Keep Pounding and i'll see you guys at the New Orleans and Tampa home games!

[Carolina Cajun]

I hadn't noticed until you posted this.  I know against Chi, aside from early on in the game, we stiffened up tremendously in the second half, and generally speaking during the season, when we've faced taller more physical WR's (Vincent Jackson, Calvin Johnson, Brandon Marshall, and Alson Jeffery) as opposed to the smaller speedier recievers (Antonio Brown, Steve Smith, and Mohamad Sanu).  This to me would be something to keep an eye on tomorrow as we Cobb and Nelson are more speedsters and shifty guys than they are physical receivers, so we may not match up with them that well either.  

[t96]

We can't go 14-2-1 or 13-3-1 you know.

[Mr. Scot]

Might have to account for the fact that teams with versatile defensive players could go with more 3-4 looks if they see it's effective against us.

[Panthers8969]

I loved watching the D in that Detroit game. Gave me hope. Hopefully our d just needed some time to warm up and 7 weeks in they are back to where they should be. Idk the whole dline just needs to step up like short has

[UpstatePanther]

We can't go 14-2-1 or 13-3-1 you know.

 

will edit. haha its been a long week for me. must have just got my numbers mixed up. thanks thomas.

[LinvilleGorge]

Also worth noting that two of those NFC games were in the first two weeks before our D fell off a cliff.

[bandu]

I dont think a 3-4 defense will be as effective with Cam Newtons mobility and J.Stewarts power running game,