Lea: Defense continues to flash for the Panthers who are 2-0 for the first time since 2017
Posted September 19, 2021 4:37 p.m. EDT
Updated September 21, 2021 2:38 p.m. EDT
The New York Jets were a nice warm up last week for Sam Darnold and the Carolina Panthers offense. But this week, the competition is much higher with the Panthers hosting NFC South rivals, the New Orleans Saints. Remember, the Saints beat the eventual champions in 2020 twice - Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Panthers, however, proved that what they did against the Jets last week wasn't just them beating up on a bad team. They did the same thing against a really good team this week, so here's what I saw:
- Sam Darnold - It's amazing what a quarterback can accomplish with a competent coaching staff, offensive weapons and a scheme that jives with his skill set. Last year, Sam Darnold's single-game high for passing yardage was 265 yards. In the first half of this game, he threw for 216 and the offensive line kept him clean, allowing no sacks and no quarterback hits. He finished 26-38, 305 yards and a 99.1 passer rating. Offensive line protection has been a question for the Panthers in the past few seasons and a bit of a concern this week since right tackle Taylor Moton had a groin injury and guard John Miller is coming off the COVID-19 list. The Saints defense caught up in the second half by sacking Darnold twice, but luckily he bounced back and didn't turn the ball over for a second time, since he basically handed the Saints the ball which led to the Saints' only score. Darnold is showing he has the ability to have mental lapses in games, but it hasn't cost his team as win... yet. Overall, I'd give him a B+ grade for his game this week.
- Offense in the second half - Last season, the Panthers were known to cool down considerably on offense in the third quarter. They did the same last week and continued that trend today, stalling out on three drives in the 3rd. To compete among the upper echelon of the NFL, you have to continue to score and move the ball to put pressure on the defense in the second half and they're simply not doing it. It was a problem with Teddy Bridgewater and it's a problem with Sam Darnold which makes me look at Offensive Coordinator Joe Brady and his schemes and play calling. Brady has been highly praised for being a young, up and coming star coach, but he needs to start putting his team in better position in the second half. But that's not taking anything away from the players, who must execute themselves.
- Red Zone/Short Yardage Situations - Last season, the Panthers often found themselves in goal line or late game short yardage situations that they didn't capitalize on. They're still searching for those answers as they stalled on a 3rd & goal situation in the 2nd quarter where Christian McCaffrey lost a yard and the team had to settle for a field goal. The next time in the Red Zone was better for Darnold and crew after he hit DJ Moore for a two yard touchdown. He looked comfortable in the pocket most of the game, but old Darnold reared his ugly head in the 3rd quarter when he attempted a shovel pass to Chuba Hubbard but instead handed it to Saints defensive lineman Malcolm Roach, which put the Saints in scoring position.
- Zane Gonzalez - Two games into the season, two starting kickers for the Panthers. This week, Zane Gonzalez. He had a solid game, but he did miss an extra point in the 4th quarter after a Christian McCaffrey touchdown. It's essentially what got Santoso canned last week. However, he gained back some trust by making a 42 yard field goal. *Exhales*.
- Panthers defense - Last week the Panthers made Zach Wilson uncomfortable, sacking him six times, while the Saints kept Jameis Winston clean by allowing zero sacks. But the overwhelming attitude by most was "the Panthers only played the Jets", however the defense picked up where they left off last week, by picking up two sacks and seven QB hits in the first half. The Panthers finished the game with two interceptions, four sacks and holding the Saints to 128 yards. They also only allowed the Saints to convert 2-11 3rd downs and no 4th downs (Saints went for it twice on 4th down). Solid performance two weeks in a row. by a defense that's trending in the right direction stopping the run, getting off the field on 3rd down, rushing the passer and creating turnovers.
- Saints Coaching staff - Eight Saints coaches didn't make the trip due to COVID-19, the majority of them on offense. Maybe their absence had an impact on the Saints because you wouldn't normally expect the Saints to only gain 128 yards and look as basic and lethargic as they did all game. It's also worth noting that the Saints are dealing with injuries with seven players out, including Marshon Lattimore, Pat Werner, CJ Gardner-Johnson, Tanoh Kpassagnon and Montravious Adams - all defensive players. If the Saints are healthy taking on the Panthers in New Orleans on January 2nd, their defensive performance could look very different.
