ESPN Scouts.Inc Panthers-Falcons preview

[CatMan72]

ESPN's Scouts.Inc Panthers-Falcons preview:

After breaking down film of both teams, Scouts Inc. offers 10 things to watch in this week's Falcons-Panthers matchup.

1. Keep Cam Newton in the backfield: In the Panthers' Week 13 win over Tampa Bay, Newton set an NFL record with his 13th rushing touchdown of the year. Atlanta needs to keep the running lanes secure by setting the edge with its defensive ends and having its front seven squeeze the lanes down. The Falcons want to keep Newton on his heels and inside the pocket rather than allowing him to escape to the outside and into the open field.

2.Control the clock: One of the successful things the Falcons have done over the past few years has been to control the clock with a strong ground game and by converting on third down. In its loss to the Texans on Sunday, Atlanta gained a total of 70 yards on the ground and lost the battle for time of possession, 25 minutes to 35 minutes.

3.Be balanced on offense: Atlanta ran the ball only 18 times against the Texans. Matt Ryan is a very good quarterback, but he is a lot more effective when throwing the ball off the play-action fake. Look for closer to a 50/50 split when it comes to running or throwing the ball against Carolina.

4.Force Carolina to go wide with its running game: The Panthers have one of the better running tandems in the NFL in Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams. Both backs are explosive downhill runners who live off the one-cut and hit-the-hole style of running that excels with Carolina's zone-blocking scheme up front. Atlanta wants to plug things up inside and force these guys to run east and west rather than north and south.

5. Matchup to watch: Atlanta DE John Abraham vs. Carolina LT Jordan Gross: Abraham needs to provide a good edge rush on passing downs, but will also be asked to help keep Newton under wraps as a runner. Abraham is a high-motor, speed rusher with excellent initial take-off quickness. Gross needs to finish his blocks off and keep his feet active and alive as he never knows when Newton may take off.

6.Carolina needs to get its ground game untracked: In spite of giving up just 90 yards a game on the ground, the Falcons let Houston put up 162 rushing yards last week. Thanks in part to Stewart and Williams, as well as arguably the best running quarterback in the league in Newton, the Panthers are averaging 5 yards a carry this year. Stewart, Williams and Newton all have over 500 rushing yards, and Carolina needs them to keep moving the chains.

7.Win on special teams: Other than a 101-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by rookie Kealoha Pilares, Carolina has been rather pedestrian on special teams. Plus, its coverage units are ranked near the bottom in both phases. Atlanta is more productive, but hasn't been especially explosive either. However, the Falcons' coverage units are among the best. The Panthers need to step it up with their return teams if they want to consistently start with good field position.

8.Get the "other" receivers involved: Carolina's passing game is pretty much tight end Greg Olsen and wide receiver Steve Smith, and whoever else gets the occasional look. Smith is as dynamic and explosive as ever, and Olsen is dependable. However, the Panthers need one or more of their other receivers to step up and become a viable alternative.

9.Manufacture a pass rush: Carolina has produced a great pass rush from its base front, and defensive coordinator Sean McDermott needs to become more innovative with his personnel groupings in order to manufacture a pressure package. Look for more blitz packages with linebackers and safeties coming from all directions as they try to pressure Ryan on passing downs.

10. Matchup to watch: Carolina WR Steve Smith vs. Atlanta CB Dunta Robinson: Smith is Carolina's most electric receiver. He's enjoying an excellent season with 61 receptions for 1,092 yards and five touchdowns, and has developed a quick connection with Newton. The Panthers need Smith to push the pocket and stretch the secondary down the seams in order to keep things loose up front. Robinson is an excellent cornerback who will attempt to be physical with Smith on his release.

Prediction

Atlanta 27

Carolina 21

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/scouting?gameId=311211029

[MadHatter]

Sorry Falcon Fans.....Panthers win by double digits.

Mark it down.

[Miaoww]

#1 is why Newton's going to be basically unstoppable in a few years time.

Remember how much trouble we had with Vick when he was a Falcon? Fox employed the 'mush' rush: basically just keeping Vick contained in the pocket with the Dline and asking him to beat us with his arm.

Newton CAN actually beat you with his arm. The plan suggested by Scouts Inc is to help the Panthers establish a pocket and HOPE Newton/Smith/Olsen/Shockey/LaFell et al don't score too many points on you. Good luck!

[boo7382]

I highly doubt this would work.

4.Force Carolina to go wide with its running game: The Panthers have one of the better running tandems in the NFL in Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams. Both backs are explosive downhill runners who live off the one-cut and hit-the-hole style of running that excels with Carolina's zone-blocking scheme up front. Atlanta wants to plug things up inside and force these guys to run east and west rather than north and south.

[Wesmesss]

ESPN Scouts.INC late addition:

11. Relax the sphincter as cam enters slowly from behind...

[Proudiddy]

I've just got a feeling that with the changes up front and from what I saw out of Neblett and Kearse Sunday that we're gonna pull this one out.

[rippadonn]

The defense and ST only has to play OK for us to start winning games this year. People counted The Golden Calf of Bristol out and they continue to underestimate #1.

Cam wants to win out, get to 8-8, maybe a wildcard. If the defense and special teams play decent and the offense holds up we would undoubtedly be the scariest wildcard out there.

Hurney is attempting to hold a tiger by the tail.

[Lout]

I've just got a feeling that with the changes up front and from what I saw out of Neblett and Kearse Sunday that we're gonna pull this one out.

I don't like to pull out.

[cookinwithgas]

Numbers 1 and 4 are contradictory with only simple fakes to negate them.

[rippadonn]

Forcing our running game wide is what got DeAngelo 25yrds the other day, have at it!

[twylyght]

Once again, ESPN analysts demonstrate that they truly don't understand our team:

They clearly haven't seen Williams break his long runs East-West.

They clearly haven't seen Lafell step up the last few games

They clearly didn't see how well Carolina's interior DL performed against the run this past game

They clearly haven't watched how Smith does against CBs that try to be physical with him over the past decade

[boo7382]

I highly doubt this would work.

Forcing our running game wide is what got DeAngelo 25yrds the other day, have at it!

Once again, ESPN analysts demonstrate that they truly don't understand our team:

They clearly haven't seen Williams break his long runs East-West.

exactly my point. We have 1 RB who will dominate you and stomp on you up the middle like a freight train.

We have another one that with the right opening and blocking, can get outside and run like the wind, you never even see it coming.

So, yeah, that might work for Stew, but you aren't going to stop DWill. Making us run up the middle might work for DWill, but it wont work for Stew. Catch 22- Dwill/Jstew

[Montsta]

Not to mention that setting the edge on Cam opens up the middle for Smitty on a quick slant, or LaFell/Legs/Olsen/Shockey on curls all day. Plus dumps to 34 and 28. This is why the other dozen teams we've played can't simply set outside containment.

[Argus Plexus]

These ESPN morons just don't get it...