Carolina vs. Washington Keys to the Game

[prowler2k8]

The only key to the game is running the ball. We have two of the best backs in the league and an O-line built completely for run blocking. RUN THE EFFING FOOTBALL. If we run the ball we keep the Skins off the field, take pressure off of our own defense, manage the clock, limit Jake's opportunities to lose the game, etc. So Please, John Fox, run the damn rock all day long.

And get me some fantasy points from D-Will...

Not being overly pessimistic, but the problem is we have to have enough of a passing game to make the opposing defense play us honestly and Jake just doesn't have the arm strength or decision making ability to make it happen. The 'Skins will probably stack the box while provided double coverage on Smith b/c we have no other ( or should I say won't use other) recieving options. This has killed us in 2 of our 3 losses, and this will have to change for us to be effective particulary this Sunday. The key is a balanced offense mixing a mid range passing game with a heavy dose of run. Sounds simple but just running the ball all game isn't going to get it done IMO.

[Achilles]

Well...after the Eagles game we thought Jake was the problem, but during the Atlanta game (not that he was a badazz by any stretch)...not so much.

After the Atlanta game we thought the defense was the problem, but based on giving up only 13 points to the Cowboys (and I know, a sht-ton of yards) and only scoring 7, it looks like the offensive line is the problem.

If we blame Jake and special teams for week 1, the defense for week 2, and the offensive line for week 3, then I am left wondering which phase of our team will be resposible for whatever happens against the Redskins...

the one consistency throughout has been coaching.

So, for me, even more than Peppers and Jake, more than D-will and Smitty, even more than the O and D lines and Teams...if the coaching doesn't improve, then nothing is going to change.

I'm not one to dwell on the negative or base all of my assumptions on one example, but I simply haven't seen anything in the last 8+ times we've stepped on the field that makes me think Fox, Davidson, and Co. (Meeks was only here for the last 7 games, including preseason, but he is just as culpable) are going to improve.

Now...there is certainly a possibility that Fox and others have worked hard over the last week to improve upon what they do...but if you ask me what the keys to the game are going to be vs Washington, I would have to say there is only 1:

MAKE SOME F-ING ADJUSTMENTS AT HALFTIME!

I can easily imagine us being up say 14-3 at the half...then what are we going to do????? The answer to that question is the key to the game.

[raleigh-panther]

All I know, I'm at that game Sunday.

I pray for a non-embarrassment.

That's sadly, what my Panthers Sundays have become....losing to the Redskins, the team that lost to Detriot...well, that would be just too much.

Other than being grateful for the opportunity to go...

[panthers55]

THe keys to the game will be to score more points than they do. It doesn't get more complicated than that.

I really expect the game will be decided on turnovers. Up to now we have been the one committing them. If that continues we will lose. If we actually get some on the redskins and limit our own, we have a good chance of ending up on the plus side.

[Fiz]

I don't think the Redskins are going to put DeAngelo Hall on Steve Smith. I think Carlos Rogers is going to be primarily assigned to him with over the top safety help.

HTTR

good he'll drop all of jake's wounded ducks

also anything less than 30 rush attempts is a call for direct action against the coaching staff

[pstall]

there needs to be more running by the Panthers than a Forrest Gump Marathon on TNT.

[Upper Deck West End Zone]

what if your down by 14?

Run the ball...

[nosuchthingasapanther]

what if your down by 14?

as already stated, run the ball.

if you're going to be one dimensional, be one dimensial using what you're good at.

[scpanther22]

The Panthers have a one trick pony offense and opposing teams know this. They will continue to force the ball to Steve Smith in double coverage. When there is single coverage on Smith, Jake will underthrow the ball. Either way the ball will be intercepted.

The Panthers will continue to fall behind early on the scoreboard thereby abandoning the run. Because of our inability to make 3rd downs, the defense will be on the field a lot. The opposing team will not have to score a lot of points because the Panthers are incapable of scoring touchdowns. The opposing team can score 17 points and still beat the Panthers.I hate to admit this as a Panthers fan,but it's the truth.

theres nothing wrong with simple when you know how to execute and have the right personnel.something the panthers are not doing now on both sides of the ball.

[jonbig04]

I totally agree with 30-40 times. Thats why I think Williams should get 25+ touches. In other words at least 25 carries with Stewart an additional 8-10.

Carolina must come out with a nastiness about their run game. The o-line was hyped from day 1 it is time to show why.

D. Hall may not cover Smith but he will be buzzing around the ball. If we continue to try and force the ball the Smitty we will all be calling for Jake's head again because more INT's will be coming

If you don't mind me asking, what does WCA stand for? Is it a school?

[Thrasher]

I know it is easy to say, but this week is truly a must win for the Panthers. First of all they are already in a deep hole from which only 6 teams have returned to make the playoffs and in addition they are playing a struggling Washington team at home. I know that the Redskins are 2-2 but their wins were against weak opponents and one of their losses is to the Lions. This will be by far the weakest team that the Panthers have seen this season and with the fact that the game is in BOA should be a victory for Carolina. Emphasis on should.

Keys on defense:

1. Limiting the Redskins run game - Last week TB did a good job in the first half shutting down Portis and forcing a struggling Campbell to throw the ball on third and long. In the second half, Campbell found his stride and along with that Portis began to wear down the TB defense finishing the game with nearly 100 yards at around a 4.0 clip. When Washington found success they did most often with a stretch play putting Portis in space. This worries me because I thought against the boys, our interior d did a pretty good job for most of the game while our defensive ends struggled turning the toss play back inside. On those stretch plays, we must have better support from Peppers, Johnson, and Brayton this week. A healthy C. Harris would help against the run as well.

2. Somehow find a way to defend a TE - Again we are playing a solid TE this week in the Redskins Chris Cooley. Campbell loves to find this guy both deep and with short screen passes and 5 yard routes. The past two games, the Panthers have really struggled with coverage against the TE. Personally, I thought our LB coverage was decent but there seemed to be no help over the top from our S. The ability to cover this guy will be a major factor in this game.

3. Contain and pressure Campbell - TB had some success here early but in the second half they lost containment on Campbell on two big 3rd down plays. On both occasions he ran for +10 yards and a first down. We must get pressure which is possible vs. the Redskins o-line but we must do it in a way that contains Campbells ability to run the ball.

Keys on offense:

1. D. Williams needs to get 25+ touches - TB was effective at times with their run game, especially early on. Having no passing game to speak of, TB was still able to run with C. Williams who is no where near the runner that D. Williams is. Carolina MUST return to the running game and reestablish their identity as a tough grind it out running football team. Vs. Washington, D. Willy could have a great day with the potential to break some long runs.

2. Protect the football - This is a no brainer but this has been the major problem with the Carolina offense this season. What worries me here is Carolina and S. Smith trying to renew the Deangelo Hall rivalry. This guy is dangerous especially with the way Jake has been throwing the ball. I am not saying that we don't throw to Smith but we need to be careful with how we do it and when.

3. Utilize the TE - TB only had 1 drive where they utilized the passing game and on three occasions during that drive they hit their TE for big plays. With Rosario playing well the past two games, this may be an area that we could exploit. Play action to D. Willy to pull the LB up and hit the TE in between or down the middle of the field. Allows for quick passes and Jake to get the ball out.

Really nervous about this game because it is literally make or break for the Panthers. If we can't win this one you got to seriously consider where we will get more than 5-6 wins this year.

After a year or so the real analysts now see how Jason was able to pad his stats. He checks down most of the time: YAC is what makes is stats look good. This year he has made some good passes down field, but they're few and far between. Next to Byron, Jason has the slowest release in the NFL. This is a gift for us this week. From what I hear from the Redskins Park is Jason gets so much attention, other important parts of the team are neglected. A lot of guys on the team thought Colt Brennan has a lot more upside, but because coach Zorn told the FO he could fix Jason, Colt was neglected. Chase also looked good, but again Zorn just keeps trying to fix Jason. Most of the offense line and WRs have been thrown under the bus for Jason. The team knows this and is about Implode. Yea its a good time for us to capitalize on this team cause Jason has to throw deep more often or lose his job. We just have to contain Cooley and Moss and we should be fine. Even a three man rush will do it for us. What we don't want is for them to put in Todd Collins, Last time the Redskins did this they won a lot of games. With Campbell at QB we should be able to win by two TDs easy.

[Seamonk]

what if your down by 14?

RUN THE GOD DAMN BALL! We'll be down by 21 if we don't.

[Seamonk]

True, but that has typically been only option when playing from behind. Unfortunately it's this type of approach that makes the Panthers the easiest team to gameplan for: stop the run and force us rely on Jake Delhomme. Works every time.

False, passing only applies when down by 14 in the second half when you can't afford to waste time running due to the clock continuing to run. We're been abandoning it in the first quarter because of all the retarded mistakes.

Even when it doesn't work, you run the ball. Because that defense is gonna be tired in the second half. You don't win the game in the first quarter. You play the game out.

[rodeo]

the only thing that can stop our run is John Fox not calling running plays. we have the type of run game where you can keep it to 1 yard a carry for 4 drives in a row and D-Will will break off a 40 yard TD. you can never truly shut it down.

run the fuging ball no matter what.