ESPN/Football Outsiders Number Crunching

[solorca]

Some interesting notes inside...

Carolina pulled a rare double, finishing first in the league in running in short-yardage situations, but also first in the league in the percentage of their rushing yards that came more than 10 yards past the line of scrimmage. No other team since at least 1997 has led the league in both categories, on either offense or defense.

The Cardinals switch between a 4-3 and 3-4 alignment, and often rush their outside linebackers. Only three teams rushed five defenders more often. That's a bit of a problem against Carolina, which was one of the few offenses that weren't hurt by blitzes. Carolina averaged the same 6.7 yards per play against five pass-rushers that it did against four pass-rushers, and it was even better -- 9.2 yards per play, fourth in the NFL -- against a big blitz of six or more defenders. The last time these teams played, the Panthers didn't have a lot of success against the blitz, but the success they did have was huge -- namely, a 65-yard touchdown pass to Steve Smith on third-and-2 when Arizona sent six.

If this game stays close, don't be surprised to see the Panthers come from behind. The Panthers' offense ranks second in DVOA when tied or losing, but 14th when winning by a touchdown or less, and 24th when winning by more than a touchdown. Arizona's defense is above-average when the Cardinals are tied or losing, but 24th when the Cardinals are winning by a touchdown or less, and the worst in the league with a lead of more than a touchdown.

[hdevonxz]

stays close, don't be surprised to see the Panthers come from behind. The Panthers' offense ranks second in DVOA when tied or losing, but 14th when winning by a touchdown or less, and 24th when winning by more than a touchdown.

That's a big problem the coaching staff needs to fix.

[Cyberjag]

I love stats when they say nice things about the Panthers.

[outlaw4]

John Fox's response...

...Stats are for losers.

Stats for the regular season does not necessarily represent what happens in the playoffs. Just saying.

[panthers55]

stays close, don't be surprised to see the Panthers come from behind. The Panthers' offense ranks second in DVOA when tied or losing, but 14th when winning by a touchdown or less, and 24th when winning by more than a touchdown.

That's a big problem the coaching staff needs to fix.

It just shows we get more conservative and throw less when we have a lead. When we are behind we throw it down the field. If you are controlling the clock and running it down the field, it isn't always a bad thing. I would like us to have more of a killer instinct on offense but I don't see it happening.

[Kyle82]

John Fox's response...

...Stats are for losers.

Stats for the regular season does not necessarily represent what happens in the playoffs. Just saying.

very true