Notes on Upcoming Matchups

[Mr. Scot]

A few points about the NFL's final four...

No More Mobile Quarterbacks

None of the other teams remaining in the Super Bowl hunt have a starting quarterback that's a threat to run.  Manning, Brady and Palmer are all "pocket mobile" and are capable of running the ball if forced to do so, but I'm pretty sure Sean McDermott's not going to be lying awake worrying about any of them breaking big runs.  On the flipside, all three are known for making fast reads and getting the ball out quickly.  Tight coverage will be important If you want a chance to hit these guys.

Old School vs New School

Every other quarterback left in the playoffs is over the age of thirty and was drafted in a previous decade.

Carson Palmer: Age 36, Drafted in 2003
Tom Brady: Age 38, Drafted in 2000
Peyton Manning: Age 39, Drafted in 1998

The oldest player on the Panthers active roster is 34 year old Dwan Edwards (Charles Tillman, currently on IR, is also 34) so every other starting quarterback left in the playoffs is older than every player on the Panthers roster.  For reference, Luke Kuechly (currently 24) turned seven years old the day after the 1998 NFL Draft (Manning) concluded.  Cam Newton turned nine just a few weeks later.

Playoff Experience

When the Panthers face the Cardinals, it will actually be 26 year old Cam Newton holding the edge in playoff experience.  Newton just completed his fourth playoff game - and his second playoff victory - in his five year NFL career.  Palmer on the other hand yesterday played in only his third playoff game in thirteen seasons as a pro quarterback (to be clear, Palmer did not start his rookie year; in fact, he didn't play a single down).  The Packer game was Palmer's first victory.  Prior to that, he was 0-2, though it's kinda hard to pin the first loss on him since he was knocked out of that game early.

Offense vs Defense

Both Conference Championship games feature offensive coaches (Arians, Kubiak) versus defensive coaches (Belichick, Rivera).  Both games will also feature the number one and number two seeds in each conference.

Lone Coryell

Erhardt-Perkins is the most popular offense left in the playoffs.  The Cardinals and Patriots both run E-Ps and the Panthers run a Coryell with similarities to / elements of an E-P.  The Broncos run a West Coast attack.

Big Ugly Continuity

The Panthers are the only team that will be starting the same five players on offensive line next week that started in the 2015 season opener.  Both AFC teams go into the conference championship with replacements at left tackle (Broncos began the season with Ty Sambrailo in that spot; the Patriots original starter was Nate Solder).  If you like continuity, we've got it.

[5158Poundin]

Nice….seeing the youth on the Panthers roster just makes me happy for the future!  Growth is sustainable and I hope we do make it to the Promised Land this season….would be AMAZING!  Thanks for sharing!

[Mr. Scot]

5 minutes ago, 5158Poundin said:

Nice….seeing the youth on the Panthers roster just makes me happy for the future!  Growth is sustainable and I hope we do make it to the Promised Land this season….would be AMAZING!  Thanks for sharing!

I think it's possible we're one of the youngest (maybe the youngest) team left.  We might also be the tallest / heaviest, but I haven't run the numbers.

Maybe @KB_fan would.

[Mr. Scot]

I have a feeling I didn't get that tag right but I can't find the thread about how to do it.

[Mr. Scot]

One other thing someone else reminded me of...

When he was a defensive coordinator, Ron Rivara had a knack for knowing how to take down elite quarterbacks. Heck, no one frustrated Peyton Manning as much as Rivera did.

Looking at who's left in the dance, that knack would sure come in handy right now.