Playoff Teams Concern Flaws/Weaknesses

[kungfoodude]

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/47451548/2025-nfl-playoff-teams-weaknesses-concerns-flaws-afc-nfc#TB

Carolina Panthers

FPI chance to win Super Bowl: 0.5%

Concerning weakness: Third-down defense

The Panthers' defense has a very hard time getting off the field. Carolina ranks 15th on first down by DVOA and 13th on second down. Yet they rank 31st on third down, ahead of only the Cowboys. If you prefer more conventional stats, they rank 31st in conversion rate allowed on third downs; opponents move the sticks 46.7% of the time against the Panthers on third down and 63.6% of the time on fourth down.

The Panthers managed to force two turnovers on third down against the Rams in their Week 13 upset, but this is not a trend that has gotten any better in recent weeks. And the top offenses on third down this season include the 49ers, Packers, Eagles and Rams.

[toldozer]

I knew that soft zone bullshit sucked on third down but I didn't realize it was 31st

[*FreeFua*]

This is why a legitimate pass rusher will be Dan’s top priority this offseason 

We’re dependant on sending an extra guy to generate pressure and unless it gets home we’re toast 

[Panthering]

They have to draft Sonny Styles just for the name but also for the 0% missed tackle rate 

[kungfoodude]

4 minutes ago, Panthering said:

They have to draft Sonny Styles just for the name but also for the 0% missed tackle rate 

I do think Rozebum may be near the league leader in missed tackles. Let me verify.

Edit: Tied for 9th in the NFL with 17.

Edited 2 hours ago by kungfoodude

[kungfoodude]

8 minutes ago, *FreeFua* said:

This is why a legitimate pass rusher will be Dan’s top priority this offseason 

We’re dependant on sending an extra guy to generate pressure and unless it gets home we’re toast 

Honestly, I might have to take a look at the 3rd down pressure/blitz rates. I don't think we blitz on 3rd down very often.

[*FreeFua*]

1 minute ago, kungfoodude said:

Honestly, I might have to take a look at the 3rd down pressure/blitz rates. I don't think we blitz on 3rd down very often.

I just meant in general our ability to generate pressure comes from sending an extra guy

Id have to imagine our pressure rate when only rushing 4 is at or near the very bottom 

And with 3rd downs typically being passing downs… that’s the issue 

Edited 2 hours ago by *FreeFua*

[kungfoodude]

4 minutes ago, kungfoodude said:

I do think Rozebum may be near the league leader in missed tackles. Let me verify.

Edit: Tied for 9th in the NFL with 17.

JFC....I was looking at other NFL Missed Tackle stats and I found out that among qualifying players, Jaycee Horn has the worst Missed Tackle Percentage in the entire NFL. I knew he was having a bad season in that regard but I didn't think it was NFL worst level. WTF

 

[LinvilleGorge]

Our QB just threw for 54 yards and a pick in a game where the entire offense only managed 139 yards and our glaring flaw is 3rd down defense???

 

[uncfan888]

.5%?

 

Seems high

[PantherChris]

1 hour ago, toldozer said:

I knew that soft zone bullshit sucked on third down but I didn't realize it was 31st

Also the complete lack of a pass rush

 

[ThPantherFan]

1 hour ago, kungfoodude said:

Concerning weakness: Third-down defense

That's not the only weakness.  Good report.

[kungfoodude]

14 minutes ago, ThPantherFan said:

That's not the only weakness.  Good report.

I have to assume they made them stick to just one thing. 

IDK that I would say it's the most glaring, either. I think QB play is.

[UnluckyforSome]

1 hour ago, kungfoodude said:

Honestly, I might have to take a look at the 3rd down pressure/blitz rates. I don't think we blitz on 3rd down very often.

When I looked up pressure stats the other day, I was a little surprised at blitz % overall. We don't blitz very often, and I have to think it's because we don't get to the qb very often, and we are exposing vulnerabilities that we are not able to accommodate when we do send extra pressure.