Lea: Youth will determine the outcome of Cardinals-Panthers
Posted October 2, 2020 5:31 p.m. EDT
Updated October 2, 2020 5:40 p.m. EDT
Charlotte, N.C. — Sunday, the Carolina Panthers will face arguably the most dynamic quarterback they've seen so far in the season, Kyler Murray. The Arizona Cardinals will come to Bank of America Stadium looking to build on their 2-1 start to this season.
The Panthers and Cardinals played last year in Week 3, and it ended up being the Panthers' first of five wins in 2019. But that was just Murray's third game of his professional career, going up against one of the most experienced defensive lines in the NFL last season. That defensive line gave Murray fits, to put it lightly. Sacks and quarterback hits were plentiful for the Panthers.
Eight sacks.
Ten quarterback hits.
The Panthers left Arizona with a 38-20 win.
But things are a lot different this season. That experienced Panthers defense withered away in the offseason, as eight starters from 2019 are no longer on the team. Now the Panthers start three rookies, while Kyler Murray and Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsberry are one year wiser, with both in their second year in the NFL. Not to mention, the Cardinals have the NFL's number one wide receiver through the first three weeks of the season, Deandre Hopkins. He's first in the league in receptions (32) and receiving yards (356).
If you watched last year's game between these teams, you may remember the Panthers didn't start pulling away until late in the third quarter. In the first quarter, Murray's dynamic playing ability was on display with a 39-yard quarterback run on a third & 4. That drive ended with a 14-yard touchdown pass from Murray to Larry Fitzgerald.
It was clear that Murray's legs and arm are equally dangerous. But the Panthers' experience caught up to Murray's play-making ability and the rookie finished 30-of-43 passing for 173 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions and 69 rushing yards.
Sunday, Murray will see a young Panthers' defense that's missed 32 tackles in the first three weeks - fifth most in the NFL, according to Pro Football Reference.
“It's the biggest issue we have right now,” Panthers head coach Matt Rhule said earlier this week. “It's been two weeks, three weeks really, of just taking (bad) angles.”
Murray has broken off 25- and 21-yard this season - even torching a stout San Francisco defense for 91 yards rushing.
The second-year QB ranks 10th in the NFL in quarterback rating, going up against a Panthers secondary that was ranked 31st by Pro Football Focus heading into the season.
With those factors in mind, don't be surprised if Murray and the Cardinals offense torch the Panthers young defense.
However, don't be surprised if the Panthers defense steps up to make Murray uncomfortable for the second straight season. Cornerback Donte Jackson picked off Murray twice in last year's game and has pulled in an interception for the Panthers in each of the last two games. Last week, the Panthers D forced four turnovers on the Los Angeles Chargers, two sacks and 19 pressures. However, Justin Herbert is a rookie QB, like Murray was last season. This defense didn't have the same success against veterans Derek Carr and Tom Brady the first two games of the season.
This game could very well come down to who looks the 'youngest' the Panthers defense or Kyler Murray. But that could also extend to the coaching staffs. Matt Rhule, Panthers offensive coordinator Joe Brady and defensive coordinator Phil Snow were all coaching in college last season. Kingsberry was just coaching in college in 2018.
Expect to see stretches of brilliance and stretches of lackluster play for both teams in Sunday's game. But if the Panthers can fix their tackling issues and build on this past Sunday's success in making the quarterback uncomfortable, there's a good chance to walk away with their second win of the season.
