Impressive Defensive performance in 4th quarters of games this season

[KB_fan]

Just started a Twitter thread about an interesting trend I noticed. Panthers scoring differential by quarter, and particularly the way the D is stopping opposing teams from scoring.

Panthers have only allowed 13 4th Qtr points so far this season.  10 of those came in weeks 1 & 2. Only 3 4th Q points allowed in last 3 games.

2nd best in the league (behind Patriots). Best in league over past 3 games.

On Pace to be 2nd best 4th quarter defensive performance in team history, behind 1996 team.

Start of the thread is here:

 

[TN05]

They’ve given us a chance to win every game this year, which is all you can reasonably ask of a defense - and sometimes they’ve even won us a game basically themselves (Jacksonville). We finally have a top-tier, elite defense again.

[KB_fan]

It's VERY striking how much better the defense is playing in 4th quarter this season so far compared to recent seasons.

 

[TheCasillas]

So much for zero half time adjustments argument.....

[The Lobo]

Do you think it has something to do with how many DL we rotate in throughout the game? Having pass rushers with somewhat fresh legs has to be a huge advantage. 

[KB_fan]

22 minutes ago, Nesbro1 said:

If I remember correctly 96 D gave up 0 4th quarter points at home for the season. 

That's right right?

Great question.  I never would have known the answer, but PFR does of course.

Almost, but not quite.  

Panthers allowed 0 4th qtr points in 7 of 8 home games in 1996.  (1996 team allowed only 33 4th quarter points in the entire season.  CRAZY!) {Edited to correct typo.  7 of 8 home games allowed 0 points in 4th quarter.  6 of 8 home games allowed 0 points in 3rd quarter.  Yikes, INSANE defense!]

http://pfref.com/tiny/NsrOu

 

[Seltzer]

Defensive adjustments have been great this year. The only game where you can question it was the Rams game, where their offense did a lot more in the 2nd half than the first. 

[BrizzMachete]

Ron has been great at making half time adjustments this year I’m impressed . Norv been our weak link all year hope he stop being cute and keep it simple when it’s time to be simple 

[KB_fan]

6 minutes ago, The Lobo said:

Do you think it has something to do with how many DL we rotate in throughout the game? Having pass rushers with somewhat fresh legs has to be a huge advantage. 

Could be.  We have always used a pretty heavy rotation, but it seems to be quite effective this year.  But I would honestly think a huge factor is youth / fresh legs.

Burns, Miller, Haynes, Shaq....

[TheSpecialJuan]

Good stuff 

[Raskle]

3 hours ago, KB_fan said:

 

 

Now if we could only just fix up that pesky third quarter... 

[KB_fan]

40 minutes ago, Raskle said:

Now if we could only just fix up that pesky third quarter... 

I'm not positive, but I think one factor in 3rd quarter points allowed is that Panthers have lost every coin toss. Other teams have elected to defer in 4 of 5 games, (all but TNF vs Tampa). That may mean an "extra" drive for opponents in most weeks in 3rd qtr. I'd have to check the drives per quarter stats to be sure.

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Update:

I just checked PFR.  Panthers have run 91 plays in 3rd Qtr. Opponents have run 105.

So Panthers points per play in 3rd Q is 0.37 (34/91)

Opponents points per play 0.39 (41/105).