Carolina vs. Buffalo - Keys to the Game

[WCABBall]

Big game this week at home as the Panthers have a shot to fight back to the .500 mark and possibly set up a 2nd half of the season run to the playoffs. This is the kind of game that the Panthers must win in order to have a shot at the playoffs and an above .500 finish for 2009.

Keys to the Game:

Offensive:

1. Continue last weeks dominance on the ground

Carolina seemed to rediscover its 2008 run game last week with both Williams and Stewart rushing for over 100 yards. The o-line played its best game of the year by far often providing surges of +4 yards. This week they are facing the 32nd rank defense in the NFL against the run. I know that Buffalo returned Poslusny at LB last week, but the Jets ran all over the Bills for +300 yards rushing for the game and multiple big plays.

2. Jake and/or Davidson must manage the game

The Panthers can't get caught up in trying to utilize S. Smith to the point that they are locked in on him. I, as well as everyone involved want to see Smith happy, but the way Jake is throwing the ball we can't afford to have him trying to force plays to Smitty. The Jets lost last week because of their poor QB play. Managing Jake and limiting his capacity for turnovers will be a big factor in this game.

3. Find ways to get Smith involved early

I know that this flies in the face of point #2, but I think that the Panthers need to get him involved early with a quick out throw or slant throw. Some sort of timing pattern, maybe even a reverse or WR screen. Something safe for jake but using the abilities of a guy who can make plays for this team.

Defense:

1. Pressure on Fitzpatrick or Edwards

The ability of the front 4 to get pressure on the QB the last two weeks has been a major factor in the defensive turnaround. The panthers have 9 sacks in two weeks with Peppers having 4 himself. Charles Johnson and Everett Brown have played well and provide insurance against Peppers being double teamed. The Bills provide an opportunity for the Panthers to continue to pile up sack statistics. They are extremely young along the o-line with former Panthers Hangartner being joined by 4 first year players. Coming into the game the Bills have given up the 2nd most sacks in the league.

2. Can't allow WR corp to have a big day

Lee Evans and Terrell Owens are one of the most dangerous WR tandems in the game. Both are capable of having a huge day and alot of this may depend on who is QBing the Bills this week. If Edwards can go and the Panthers don't provide a big pass rush, it could be a big day for the Bills passing game.

3. Create turnovers

Carolina is -9 in turnover ratio which is amazing considering that this team is 2-3. Now I know most of this is due to poor QB play and RB fumbles but it is also due to the fact that the defense has not forced many turnovers themselves. If Fitzpatrick plays and the pass rush is solid, this could be a recipe for a multiple pick kind of day. Pressure = forced turnovers.

[megadeth078]

2. Jake and/or Davidson must manage the game

fug

[panthers55]

THe only key is score more points than they do. Simple!!

[WCABBall]

THe only key is score more points than they do. Simple!!

WOW!!!!

Thanks for giving me great insight into this upcoming game. I visit this and other boards to find out valuable information like this. I never realized that scoring more points led to victory.

Why bust my balls for analysing the game man. I thought boards like this were for people like myself who lived for Panther blue. I just wanted to give my opinion on the things that I thought would be important to this weeks contest. Sorry for trying to create a thoughtful post.

BTW

Congrats on the Phils. Great team and playing like champions.