Defense has an achilles heel...

[SNB]

I agree about the lack of consistency in a good pass rush is an issue. Keep in mind that mobile (or semi-mobile) QBs present a different problem compared to pure-pocket passers, but either way a top-teir QB, whether mobile or not, can pick apart our defense if he has time to make a throw.

I also agree that we tend to get complacent when we build a lead and allow comebacks.

I think we have other issues as well. Zone coverage works well, but demands more rigor in terms of players maintaining their assigned zones. Any mistakes will be exploited by a good QB. A good offense will also use more slant routes from the slot to make receivers cross zones and force these defensive errors. Especially they will line up their #1 receiver in the slot knowing that JN will not follow. They will also exploit zone softness using dink-and-dunk throws to march steadily downfield. Plus we have some gaps in our secondary that exacerbate this issue.

Also, what about the fact that our offense is now playing better and uses more long passes? I have not looked at the data, but this probably is resulting in shorter offensive drives compared to the days when we would rely on power running and burning up the game clock. Which in turn means that our defense rest time is now shortened, which wears them down around the 3rd or 4th quarter, which is when the opposite teams have managed to come back. Defensive depth and rotation is probably the answer, but again I have not looked at any snap-count data.

Anybody have any insight into zone coverage/secondary gaps and/or our defense getting tired due to the issues listed above?

[scpanther22]

37 minutes ago, cgarsmoker said:

When we get a lead, it seems like the defensive play calling gets less aggressive and we start playing vanilla coverage only rushing the 4 almost every play. We need to stick with the aggressive game plan throughout the game, regardless of the score.  Just my opinion.  

The thing is there are gonna be games in the playoffs where we need to be able to only rush 4. Good QB will makes us pay for blitzing too much

[cgarsmoker]

5 minutes ago, scpanther22 said:

The thing is there are gonna be games in the playoffs where we need to be able to only rush 4. Good QB will makes us pay for blitzing too much

 

6 minutes ago, scpanther22 said:

The thing is there are gonna be games in the playoffs where we need to be able to only rush 4. Good QB will makes us pay for blitzing too much

All I'm saying is, the Defense we were playing held the Giants to seven points in the first half so why change what's working just because we get a big lead?

[thennek]

The lack of a consistent pass rush is a problem.  I think some of this has to do with the secondary injuries lately.  Tillman was out several games which was bigger than most think, and now Bene is out for the season.  The secondary changes/injuries does not allow the defense to play as aggressive. Also, our D-line has 'suddenly' become very old:  Allen =33, Edwards = 34, CJ is only 29 but seems older and/or not playing with the same fire, and Love is also 29.  And DeLaire and Addison are not full-time starters but just 'situation' players,. The Panthers have not been able to replace Hardy's production yet either.   

However, against the Giants I think the Panthers just took their 'foot off the gas' when it was 35-7.  Over-confidence can be as damaging as lack of confidence.  I think this Giants game was a good reminder to the players to 'Keep Pounding' for 60-minutes.   

[imminent rogaine]

I feel like Allen and CJ are getting a little better each week. I wouldn't be surprised to see them both notch a sack this week. Maybe this at Atlanta game will be what CJ needs to get going.

LBs missing tackles and missing their gap seemed to hurt us last week too. Can't have that from those two.

[Chaos]

The solution is simple guys.  Just bracket Olsen and keep Cam in the pocket. 

Srsly, I was surprised to see us bring so little pressure on Eli - shocked honestly.  The double A-gap pressure was contained all day and there was nothing from the edge rushers.  That must change.  I'm looking at you Big Money.

[AU-panther]

1 hour ago, csx said:

Our pash rush is on and off considering somehow we are still 4th in the NFL in sacks. 

I would be curious to know how many of those sacks were because of us bringing extra pressure.

The OP seems to be making the point of "can we get pressure against the better teams/QBs with just our front four?".  Having to consistently blitz good teams to manufacture pressure is a risky proposition against the better quarterbacks.

To win a Suoer Bowl we could potentially have to beat Wilson, Palmer, and Brady in three straight games.

Fortunately for us our offense is playing at a level that might allow us to win a game in which our defense doesn't play well.

[Jackofalltrades]

I blame Rivera for the blown leads, he takes the foot off the gas too early and it resonates through the ranks. He's the anti-Bellicheat and doesn't want to embarrass teams, but it's almost cost us a few times. He respects the game and his opponents, but needs to be willing to drive the steak through their hearts.

[beastson]

The problem is sean and ron see the score and start calling a soft zone. Once the team score and then the offense goes 3 & out, (happened in all of those games) it gives opponents confidence and then things just go bad until the very end.

[pantherclaw]

2 hours ago, teeray said:

I think you raise sone good points, but I would aay we didn't have consistent success against great QBs because they are great QBs.

Without a doubt. 

I feel we the fans, and to some extent, the team, has come to expect easy wins/blow out wins. 

They just don't happen against good qbs. They will eventually make plays, and put points on the scoreboard.

[pantherclaw]

46 minutes ago, Jackofalltrades said:

I blame Rivera for the blown leads, he takes the foot off the gas too early and it resonates through the ranks. He's the anti-Bellicheat and doesn't want to embarrass teams, but it's almost cost us a few times. He respects the game and his opponents, but needs to be willing to drive the steak through their hearts.

You blame Rivera for the players not playing as hard too?

[UKPanther94]

The offense is a huge reason for the collapses as well. whenever the other team gets a TD we respond by promptly going 3 and out, giving the other team helpful field position against a tired defense, it's a snowball effect as we've seen several times this season. Of course even special teams havent helped either as that blocked FG completely changed the game, 3 points there and we nip it in the bud

[UKPanther94]

Just now, Kuechly59 said:

Have you noticed its play calling? Big lead = soft zone on defense... And on offense it means we run into a 8 or 9 man box on first and second down and put it on cam to make a play on third down.

2 runs up the gut then pass, it's vintage 2014 Shula, the only thing I can criticise him for at the moment, 

[stankowalski]

6 minutes ago, UKPanther94 said:

2 runs up the gut then pass, it's vintage 2014 Shula, the only thing I can criticise him for at the moment, 

I think the head coach probably dictates to the coordinators how he wants the game to be played.  More so at the end of  games where Ron wants to protect a lead.  28 points is a big lead though, but hopefully Ron learned something from this.