Panthers Strength of Schedule: Ridiculously Easier For Our Offense; Not Too Different (Still Difficult) For Our Defense

[Saca312]

So, I went through twitter recently and saw something very interesting. The Panthers have a middle-of-the-pack SoS overall, but when you break it down, it's actually of two extremes:

The Panthers offense has a super easy schedule. It's not even funny.

• Passing -  The Panthers go against the 24th hardest schedule against pass rush defenses (17th in 2016), 30th hardest in pass defense efficiency (6th in 2016), and 32nd hardest in yards per pass allowed (21st in 2016). 
• Rushing - The Panthers go against the 32nd hardest schedule against run defenses (28th in 2016) and 29th hardest in RB pass efficiency (25th in 2016). 
• Red Zone Efficiency - The Panthers go against the 31st hardest red zone defenses (29th in 2016), and 20th hardest against 3rd down conversion prevention defenses (19th in 2016).

The Panthers offense has the easiest schedule in the NFL, and it's not even close. That should bode really well for our new offensive scheme and future. Cam Newton should be pressured less, and our wide receivers will have much easier competition in comparison to last year. Our rookies should also shine against the easier competition.

Expect a lot of points to be scored.

Defensively, it's a lot tougher in comparison to our offense, but not significantly different from last year. 

• Passing - The Panthers go against the 2nd hardest schedule against pass efficient offenses (7th in 2016), 2nd hardest in Yards Per Pass Attempt (3rd in 2016), but do get to go against slightly easier pass protecting offenses (6th hardest in 2017; 4th in 2016).
• Rushing - The Panthers go against the 1st hardest schedule against rushing efficient offenses (21st in 2016), 1st hardest against RB pass efficient offenses (1st in 2016), but remain at 32nd hardest going against explosive rushing offenses (same as 2016). 
• Red Zone Efficiency -  The Panthers defense go against the 1st hardest schedule against red-zone offenses (3rd in 2016), and the 2nd hardest against 3rd down converting offenses (5th in 2016).

Not too different from last year. Still will be going against some tough offenses, but it's not too much of an extreme difference. Consider also the fact the Panthers defense should be much better than it was last year. I wouldn't worry much about our defense.

So, what are your thoughts? Think this gives you a bit more confidence our team can do really well next year?

[OneBadCat]

So basically when we win the Superbowl everyone is going to bitch that we had an easy schedule and not give us our respect. 

Kidding. But usually strength of schedule goes to hell by the time week 4 starts. Players get hurt and teams end up not being as good or bad as advertised.

[Saca312]

1 minute ago, OneBadCat said:

So basically when we win the Superbowl everyone is going to bitch that we had an easy schedule and not give us our respect. 

Well if we win the Superbowl chances are we beat the fug out of the Patriots.

No one's gonna bitch about that.

[pantherclaw]

SoS doesn't mean much to me. 

The best defense against good offenses, literally is an offense that can sustain drives, keeping the opposing team on the sideline, and keeping our defense rested.

If we can do that, our defense should be  able to create turnovers, getting the ball back in the hands of our offense.

[SeoulPanther]

If we could choose we would definitely have wanted it this way round. Play to our proven strengths.

[jfra78]

So basically, going against the easiest overall def efficiency, the offense and Shula have
zero excuses this year. we should be a top 5 offense this year

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[Cyberjag]

I would rather face great defenses and terrible offenses.  It would suck to ride a historic offense into the Superbowl and end up blowing a 28-3 lead just because our offense couldn't move the ball when it suddenly counted.

[electro's horse]

Sos in July matters even less than most of your word salad threads

[Your GFs favorite huddler]

Still play in the toughest division outside of AFC west, but this should set us up nicely for a bounce back

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[Ball4life]

28 minutes ago, Cyberjag said:

I would rather face great defenses and terrible offenses.  It would suck to ride a historic offense into the Superbowl and end up blowing a 28-3 lead just because our offense couldn't move the ball when it suddenly counted.

Hard for your offense to move the ball when their on the sideline. 

[dpm0409]

I don't think it gives me any more or less confidence that we'll do well this year. 

I guess because I don't put too awful much weight into SoS.  Mainly because there is so much parody in the NFL these days from year to year (with the exception of the GD Pats, would be amazing to see them finish with a below .500 record, but I digress).

But hey with that being said, I don't mind talking about it / looking at a fairly busy graphic because ya know....it's July and all

[Joe the Show]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't we have a lot of success in 2015 because we played against some of the worst pass rushing teams for most of the season? Even with Oher and Remmers, Cam had time to survey the field consistently. If we can have the same good fortune this season I will be excited to see what the offense can accomplish.

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[Mistuh Jones]

You can't salvage that, dude. Don't even try. "Ball4TwoQuarters"

[Ball4life]

5 minutes ago, Mistuh Jones said:

You can't salvage that, dude. Don't even try. "Ball4TwoQuarters"

Patriots offensive snaps = 93 Falcons offensive snaps = 46. Brady had 62 pass attempts himself. What exactly am I trying to salvage? Falcons defense wore down in the 2nd half.