WEEK 2: Panthers WIN versus San Francisco: Stats & Analysis

[KB_fan]

 

[KB_fan]

Good comments about Cam's discipline in focusing on passing, even when for a time it looked like BOTH Fozzy & Stew might be out of the game...

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PASSING CAM
I’ve always said that Cam Newton doesn’t get enough credit for the work he’s done to improve as a passer. Everyone sees him as this big, strong, athletic, mobile QB. His own HC, Ron Rivera, has said they aren’t afraid to use him like a running back, especially in the red zone. But he proved again Sunday that he’s mature enough to realize that his first job is to be the quarterback of this offense.

Early in Sunday’s win over the 49eres, the Panthers lost RB Jonathan Stewart. Then they lost backup Fozzy Whittaker for a time. It would have been the perfect time to showcase his skills as a runner. But Cam stayed poised…..and in the pocket. From the time Stewart left the game, Cam ran just five times and made 35 pass attempts. He finished 24 for 40 passing, for 353 yards and 4 TD, leading the offense to 39 points.

 

http://realfootballnetwork.com/trouble-d-cam-luck-sam/

[KB_fan]

Mike Kraft with film review of Olsen's 78 yard TD

http://www.panthers.com/media-vault/videos/Self-Scout-How-was-Olsen-so-open/163cba91-864f-4adb-8903-b5d71366f87f

 

[KB_fan]

So, now that 2 weeks of the season are finished, it begins to be worthwhile looking at Sporting Charts data for the Panthers to see trends, and see a snapshot of how the Panthers are doing in terms of league rankings.

Here is the points for and points against graph that shows up on the Panthers page when you first open it:

LOL at the blue "points for" line.  I know it's only two games... but this is team that typically starts slow on offense and improves over the course of the season.  Maybe this year we just started in higher gear, but DANG that's impressive.

The defensive points allowed line is a bit troubling of course.  We need to see that come down.  But with the firepower we've got on offense, we might survive even if we're not as stingy on defense as we'd like to be.

 

Here's the quick "snapshot" of where the Panthers are ranking in a couple of key statistical indicators right now:

OUCH with the 31st ranking in turnovers (give aways).  Got to stop the mistakes.

[KB_fan]

Some nice Andy Lee stats:

http://www.derp/2016/9/20/12984230/kickin-it-old-school-carolina-panthers-punter-andy-lee-is-awesome

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Lee has launched seven punts in two weeks and his 53.6 yards per punt leads the NFL, per ESPN.

He also has the league’s longest punt with the 76-yarder be blasted in Week 1 against the Denver Broncos.

Of the seven punts Lee has attempted, three landed inside the 20, two were touchbacks, and two were fair caught. Only two of Lee’s punts have been returned, yielding 26 return yards.

The same article has a really nice analysis of how one of Lee's punts in week 2 very clearly affected the game's outcome.

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One of the biggest plays of the game ... was Lee’s clutch punt at the end of the first half.

With 1:13 left in the second quarter, the Panthers led 14-10 and their sluggish offense was forced to punt from the Carolina 49.

San Francisco’s offense had been building some momentum, and it was reasonable to assume they could tack on a field goal to close the half with a successful two-minute drill.

But Andy Lee’s golden leg prevented that from happening.

Lee dropped a beautiful kick that landed near the goal line and bounced straight up in the air. Daryl Worley covered the punt and easily caught the ball at the 2 yard line.

Instead of running a two-minute offense, the 49ers were pinned at their own end zone and went with three straight running plays that gained a total of four yards. Carolina had all three timeouts remaining and stopped the clock after each run. The 49ers were forced to punt from their own end zone with 53 seconds remaining.

Carolina’s offense got good field position and put together a quick drive that resulted in a field goal to end the half, pushing their lead to 17-10.

The field goal never happens without Andy Lee’s perfect punt.

 

It's true.  Lee's awesome punt, and Worley's perfect play to down it at the 2 yard line were were of the highlights of the game.  That just-before-half-time field goal I believe was HUGE for Panthers' momentum & confidence going into the 2nd half....,

[KB_fan]

Here are the condensed Week 2 Drive Charts Side by Side.  (I'll have the more detailed drive charts including the big play data later tonight or in the morning).

(click on image for larger version).

A couple of things stand out to me that weren't obvious from merely reviewing the gamebook.  It took actually doing the data entry for me to notice some of these trends.

31 total drives between the 2 teams.  Yowsa.  Had to be exhausting in that heat....  No wonder it too so long.   And Graham Gano's leg must have been ready to fall off.  I mean 10 kickoffs and 4 field goals!!!  Give the guy a raise :)

What really shocks me though is the number of drives of less than 1 minute duration.

San Francisco 7 of 16 drives (excluding kneel down drives).  The Panthers 5 of 14, for 12 total!  That figure is high enough that it makes me want to query PFR to see if it's anywhere near a record.  But seriously, talk about sudden change offense / defense.  It really really impresses me to see that the Panthers offense stayed so focus in spite of basically being yo-yoed on and off the field in the final 5 drives or so...  They'd get off the field for 10 - 30 seconds of game time, and then be back on the field.  They clearly handled it better than San Francisco whose defense must have been utterly and totally exhausted in the 4th quarter with their offense unable to give them a break.

Another thing I notice:  The field position fascinates me.   The Panthers did not score on any drive that started from inside their own 22 yard line.  (0/6 drives).   They scored on ALL 8 drives where they started at the 22 or better.

Similarly:  San Francisco went 0/5 in scoring on drives started inside their own 25 yard line; and 5 of 11 when they started at their own 25 or better.   Seriously, the trade for Andy Lee is seeming like another #Gettlemagic move right now.

Ok, I'm sure I'll find much more to comment on....  but for now, hope these game at a glance drive charts are helpful!

[Nick_81]

Gil is always good for some small nuggets...

 

 

 

[KB_fan]

Per PFF:

TE Greg Olsen has recorded 2.79 yards per route run this season, the best mark among tight ends.

He's also leading all TEs in yards & receptions.

https://www.profootballfocus.com/pro-32-pff-stats-to-know-for-nfl-week-3/