Why we beat the Cards: A change in approach

[top dawg]

Here is a breakdown of the game on NFL.com by Nick Shook. 

For those that like the more technical details as to what went on, it is an interesting read.

Here are some excerpts:

"Instead of trying to hit the home run deep, the Panthers focused on carving up the Cardinals' pressure-focused defense by connecting on short passes. Carolina varied offensive formations, running out of the shotgun and pistol with decent success, and turning to the play action out of offset I formations to complete quick throws on a few occasions."

 

"Carolina opted to trust the bigger receiver deep against smaller defensive backs, while using Ginn's speed in the short game. Just six of Cam Newton's 27 pass attempts were targeted for a receiver 15 yards or deeper, per Next Gen Stats. Newton was the fourth-quickest to throw in Week 8 at 2.32 seconds per pass. The change kept Arizona on its toes, cutting off the pass rush and blitzes at the knees by getting the ball out before the rush arrived, and spreading out the defense to create holes for Jonathan Stewart to run."

 

"Despite going Nickel (four linemen, two linebackers, five defensive backs) on 92.2 percent of downs, Carolina continued to mix it up defensively throughout the game, walking a variety of defenders up to the line to give Palmer an array of looks. The Panthers brought six rushers (a defensive back blitz off one edge, and a delayed blitz off the opposite edge by linebacker Shaq Thompson) to get Darryl Worley into the backfield in 2.8 seconds, below the typical three seconds quarterbacks have to pass, and sack Palmer deep in Cardinals' territory."

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000732379/article/panthers-short-game-swarming-d-lead-to-big-win

 

I guess that the BYE was even more productive than most of us knew. Sure a couple of people were healthy, including our new addition in the defensive backfield, but this was but a piece of why we won. A renewed dedication by the coaches and players appears to be at the center of the obvious change. Let's hope that this coaching to specific strengths and exploitation of opponents' weaknesses, while limiting our own, continues. Lets hope that the players continue to listen and execute. We saw it happen, so we know it's possible.

[JawnyBlaze]

Good read. I didn't even notice the quicker passing game, but that's something a lot of us have been screaming for so that's nice to see. 

[FootballLivesMatter]

When your defense shows up, you don't need to do much on offense

[Jangler]

The home run shot is always nicer when you set it up. Just bombing away hoping something connects is kind of boring.

[Saca312]

Took 7 games for Shula's to figure out that maybe short passes do work against teams with good pass rushers amirite?

[hepcat]

20 minutes ago, Saca312 said:

Took 7 games for Shula's to figure out that maybe short passes do work against teams with good pass rushers amirite?

Try 4 seasons

[panthers55]

Cam got sacked early and we were inconsistent when he held the ball like usual. Then he goes to the quick timing passes and throwing to the underneath guys and magically everything works and it opens up the play action runs and passes. I did see it right away and commented the same to the fans sitting around me. It was the same thing I have been saying needed to happen all year. I don't know why he finally started doing it but I hope the success he experienced convinced him to keep doing it. Getting Funchess involved when they doubled Olsen was key as well. 

[UnluckyCharms]

1 hour ago, Saca312 said:

Took 7 games for Shula's to figure out that maybe short passes do work against teams with good pass rushers amirite?

Every time I see your signature I watch it 5-6 times and smile.

[Khyber53]

9 hours ago, panthers55 said:

Cam got sacked early and we were inconsistent when he held the ball like usual. Then he goes to the quick timing passes and throwing to the underneath guys and magically everything works and it opens up the play action runs and passes. I did see it right away and commented the same to the fans sitting around me. It was the same thing I have been saying needed to happen all year. I don't know why he finally started doing it but I hope the success he experienced convinced him to keep doing it. Getting Funchess involved when they doubled Olsen was key as well. 

Cam is at his best when he's playing instinctively. The quick passes and designed runs are perfect for his skill set. He's still got that big arm, but as Jangler said it best, "The home run shot is always best when you set it up."

But it was our defense that won the game, hands down. And they needed to. Luke was better able to move his chess pieces around the board than in any game so far this year, and he was up against a veteran QB who has probably seen it all. Luke had the advantage all day and the rest of the guys played with heart and determination -- nice to see that happening again.

[unicar15]

If we keep this game plan then we'll continue to win. It's astounding it has taken half the season for Shula to realize his OL sucks and quick decisions are more successful. 

[top dawg]

16 minutes ago, unicar15 said:

If we keep this game plan then we'll continue to win. It's astounding it has taken half the season for Shula to realize his OL sucks and quick decisions are more successful. 

The O-line looks a helluva lot better when Cam stops holding onto the ball.

Don't let J-Stew's increased involvment in the passing game, and on passing downs, escape you either.

[TheRed]

57 minutes ago, top dawg said:

The O-line looks a helluva lot better when Cam stops holding onto the ball.

Do you not see the correlation between Cam holding the ball longer looking for a big play, and Stewart being out leading to a nonexistent run game?

Stewart returns, and Newton carves up Arizona's D. You don't think that's a coincidence, and Cam just remembered overnight how to throw laser short passes, do you?

I enjoy reading some of your takes, but sometimes you are really on some fuggery my dude.

[NanuqoftheNorth]

11 hours ago, panthers55 said:

I don't know why he finally started doing it but I hope the success he experienced convinced him to keep doing it.

This should be obvious, and yet somehow, I have my doubts that Shula will stick with it.

[RumHam]

The front four has not been getting pressure so we brought blitzes. Not so much in the 2nd half. Quick routes instead of deep routes is something that should be adjusted in game, hell both of these are. We need to stick with this formula. Cam doesn't have time, short throws to big guys, run the clock, open the run game, points on the board, defense off the field. This is why we were so good last year. I don't know why they went into this season thinking differently.