Lea: Panthers should score 'a lot' versus the NFL's second worst defense
Posted October 8, 2020 8:39 p.m. EDT
Updated October 9, 2020 8:00 a.m. EDT
Charlotte, N.C. — When Atlanta Falcons safety Damontae Kazee went down with a torn Achilles on Monday night against the Green Bay Packers, I instantly started to think about the Carolina Panthers offense. Kazee is one of six members of the Falcons secondary to have recent injury concerns. He was placed on the injured reserve list along with Darqueze Dennard.
Jaylinn Hawkins hasn't practiced all week after suffering a concussion against the Packers and more than likely won't be cleared for Sunday against the Panthers. The good news for Atlanta is that Keanu Neal and Ricardo Allen are expected to return to action Sunday, while Kendall Sheffield returned against the Packers after starting the season in a walking boot.
Tough sledding for Atlanta.
But let's pile it on — Atlanta has the second worst defense in the NFL.
While we are only in the fifth week of the NFL season, if the Falcons don't show massive improvement from the way they start the season, this will be the worst defense the Panthers will face in 2020. The Falcons 'D' has given up almost 400 more total yards through four games than the Panthers 'D' has, and averages giving up 448.3 yards per game.
The Panthers 'O' averages 390.3 yards per game.
You see where I'm going here.
Last Sunday, when the Panthers beat the Arizona Cardinals, their offense put up a yards total that looks like Jay-Z's latest studio album release, 444 yards (For those that don't listen to Hip-Hop, Jay-Z's last album is named "4:44"). That was the most yards Teddy Bridgewater and company have gained in a game this season. The Cardinals, by ranking, are the second best defense the Panthers have seen so far this season.
So what's going to happen when this all of a sudden gelling offense takes on the second worst defense in the league? Points. And hopefully lots of points. Add in the fact that the Falcons will for sure be missing two prized members of their secondary and two more will be returning from injury and maybe could show rust, offensive coordinator Joe Brady should have a field day calling plays in the "ATL."
"I don't think statistics always paint the picture especially early in the season," Brady said. "All it takes is one game to completely change the statistics."
Brady will be calling the offense across the field from Falcons defensive coordinator Raheem Morris. Although Morris has 17 years of coaching experience in the NFL to Brady's four total games, both are NFL coordinators in their first year. The ever-so-careful Brady does not believe the Falcons will be a pushover (and since it's the NFL, he is correct), but you'd have to think Brady will 'test' that weakened secondary with the wide receiver ranked sixth in yards, Robby 'What's That Bear Doing' Anderson.
Will Morris be able to call the right coverages to stifle the Panthers passing attack? Will the returning players return to communication issues since they've been out? These are legit questions, and even though Brady won't come out and say the Falcons' defense is bad, you'd have to think he'll test them out, and often.
As far as the Falcons offense, their scariest weapon, Julio Jones, has been out of practice with a hamstring injury. Even though the Falcons have a top-10 offense, the Panthers defense is currently 11th in the NFL, which makes it almost an even match-up, even with Jones injured.
That means this game should be determined by how well the Panthers offense moves and takes care of the ball. If they can prevent turnovers, consistently move the ball and score touchdowns instead of field goals, we should be talking about a 3-2 team on Monday.
My personal expectations are high for the Panthers offense this week after what they showed us this past Sunday, and I think Brady would agree with that.
"You know that you're going to be playing a really good defense that's going to be ready to rock this weekend," Brady said. "It's going to be a great challenge. We have to be ready to go."
And, yes, the Panthers should be able to do this without Christian McCaffrey playing.
