Carolina vs. Washington Keys to the Game

[WCABBall]

I know it is easy to say, but this week is truly a must win for the Panthers. First of all they are already in a deep hole from which only 6 teams have returned to make the playoffs and in addition they are playing a struggling Washington team at home. I know that the Redskins are 2-2 but their wins were against weak opponents and one of their losses is to the Lions. This will be by far the weakest team that the Panthers have seen this season and with the fact that the game is in BOA should be a victory for Carolina. Emphasis on should.

Keys on defense:

1. Limiting the Redskins run game - Last week TB did a good job in the first half shutting down Portis and forcing a struggling Campbell to throw the ball on third and long. In the second half, Campbell found his stride and along with that Portis began to wear down the TB defense finishing the game with nearly 100 yards at around a 4.0 clip. When Washington found success they did most often with a stretch play putting Portis in space. This worries me because I thought against the boys, our interior d did a pretty good job for most of the game while our defensive ends struggled turning the toss play back inside. On those stretch plays, we must have better support from Peppers, Johnson, and Brayton this week. A healthy C. Harris would help against the run as well.

2. Somehow find a way to defend a TE - Again we are playing a solid TE this week in the Redskins Chris Cooley. Campbell loves to find this guy both deep and with short screen passes and 5 yard routes. The past two games, the Panthers have really struggled with coverage against the TE. Personally, I thought our LB coverage was decent but there seemed to be no help over the top from our S. The ability to cover this guy will be a major factor in this game.

3. Contain and pressure Campbell - TB had some success here early but in the second half they lost containment on Campbell on two big 3rd down plays. On both occasions he ran for +10 yards and a first down. We must get pressure which is possible vs. the Redskins o-line but we must do it in a way that contains Campbells ability to run the ball.

Keys on offense:

1. D. Williams needs to get 25+ touches - TB was effective at times with their run game, especially early on. Having no passing game to speak of, TB was still able to run with C. Williams who is no where near the runner that D. Williams is. Carolina MUST return to the running game and reestablish their identity as a tough grind it out running football team. Vs. Washington, D. Willy could have a great day with the potential to break some long runs.

2. Protect the football - This is a no brainer but this has been the major problem with the Carolina offense this season. What worries me here is Carolina and S. Smith trying to renew the Deangelo Hall rivalry. This guy is dangerous especially with the way Jake has been throwing the ball. I am not saying that we don't throw to Smith but we need to be careful with how we do it and when.

3. Utilize the TE - TB only had 1 drive where they utilized the passing game and on three occasions during that drive they hit their TE for big plays. With Rosario playing well the past two games, this may be an area that we could exploit. Play action to D. Willy to pull the LB up and hit the TE in between or down the middle of the field. Allows for quick passes and Jake to get the ball out.

Really nervous about this game because it is literally make or break for the Panthers. If we can't win this one you got to seriously consider where we will get more than 5-6 wins this year.

[iMeast]

I don't think the Redskins are going to put DeAngelo Hall on Steve Smith. I think Carlos Rogers is going to be primarily assigned to him with over the top safety help.

HTTR

[nosuchthingasapanther]

keys to the game?

carolina needs to run the ball 30-40 times.

period.

[WCABBall]

I totally agree with 30-40 times. Thats why I think Williams should get 25+ touches. In other words at least 25 carries with Stewart an additional 8-10.

Carolina must come out with a nastiness about their run game. The o-line was hyped from day 1 it is time to show why.

D. Hall may not cover Smith but he will be buzzing around the ball. If we continue to try and force the ball the Smitty we will all be calling for Jake's head again because more INT's will be coming

[Mesmer]

keys to the game?

carolina needs to run the ball 30-40 times.

period.

lol, pretty much.

Run the ball like it's going out of style. Then, when it does, run it some more to bring it back in style.

Also, cover Chris Cooley and put pressure on Jason "I'm terrible now" Campbell.

I think we'll see a return to the run game but I'm not sure we can cover Cooley and I really don't think that Fox will stay committed to pressuring Campbell via the blitz. (Hint, our line is terrible and won't get pressure with only 4)

While I know we can win this game, this game could be easily lost.

[KatsAzz]

The Panthers have a one trick pony offense and opposing teams know this. They will continue to force the ball to Steve Smith in double coverage. When there is single coverage on Smith, Jake will underthrow the ball. Either way the ball will be intercepted.

The Panthers will continue to fall behind early on the scoreboard thereby abandoning the run. Because of our inability to make 3rd downs, the defense will be on the field a lot. The opposing team will not have to score a lot of points because the Panthers are incapable of scoring touchdowns. The opposing team can score 17 points and still beat the Panthers.I hate to admit this as a Panthers fan,but it's the truth.

[R0CKnR0LLA]

If this guy shows up it might help...

[Panthers128]

The Panthers have a one trick pony offense and opposing teams know this. They will continue to force the ball to Steve Smith in double coverage. When there is single coverage on Smith, Jake will underthrow the ball. Either way the ball will be intercepted.

The Panthers will continue to fall behind early on the scoreboard thereby abandoning the run. Because of our inability to make 3rd downs, the defense will be on the field a lot. The opposing team will not have to score a lot of points because the Panthers are incapable of scoring touchdowns. The opposing team can score 17 points and still beat the Panthers.I hate to admit this as a Panthers fan,but it's the truth.

:iagree:

hope the team surprises me

[jkeough]

keys to the game?

carolina needs to run the ball 30-40 times.

period.

what if your down by 14?

[Claws]

keys to the game?

carolina needs to run the ball 30-40 times.

period.

:iagree:

That about sums up the game plan (or at least what it SHOULD be)

[Wither]

The Panthers have a one trick pony offense and opposing teams know this. They will continue to force the ball to Steve Smith in double coverage. When there is single coverage on Smith, Jake will underthrow the ball. Either way the ball will be intercepted.

The Panthers will continue to fall behind early on the scoreboard thereby abandoning the run. Because of our inability to make 3rd downs, the defense will be on the field a lot. The opposing team will not have to score a lot of points because the Panthers are incapable of scoring touchdowns. The opposing team can score 17 points and still beat the Panthers.I hate to admit this as a Panthers fan,but it's the truth.

Yeah... that's definitely a realistic point of view.

You must've been a GENIUS to think that up. I wonder what I'd have to do...

Let's see:

1) Find a bad game the Panthers played recently.

2) Completely copy everything that went wrong.

3) Change a few minor details.

4) Post it on a message board for all to see my genius.

[Bobby]

what if your down by 14?

Passing would probably make it worse.

[Baschski]

The only key to the game is running the ball. We have two of the best backs in the league and an O-line built completely for run blocking. RUN THE EFFING FOOTBALL. If we run the ball we keep the Skins off the field, take pressure off of our own defense, manage the clock, limit Jake's opportunities to lose the game, etc. So Please, John Fox, run the damn rock all day long.

And get me some fantasy points from D-Will...

[prowler2k8]

Passing would probably make it worse.

True, but that has typically been only option when playing from behind. Unfortunately it's this type of approach that makes the Panthers the easiest team to gameplan for: stop the run and force us rely on Jake Delhomme. Works every time.