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pff 3tfo: seattle@carolina


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If this is to be the week Cam Newton emerges from his funk, then he’ll need to play one of his best games as a pro. The Seahawks’ defense takes no prisoners, and has quality at every level. The team may be fortunate to stand at 2-2, but Pete Carroll’s unit certainly isn’t to blame — they’ve given up just 20, 7, 12 and 19 points.

The offense is another story, however, and they’ll be relieved to be facing a Panthers defense that struggles to stop the run. If you can’t win in the trenches in the NFL then it’s hard to win at all, as Carolina have found out the hard way. Their defensive tackles especially have done a terrible job of protecting their talented group of linebackers, and those ‘backers haven’t performed to their abilities. If the Panthers are to have any chance they’ll have to stop the man who was just named as the top running back through four weeks of the season.

On paper the Panthers have one of the better interior trios in the NFL, but they’re yet to play like it. Their two guards and center have combined for a -8.2 grade. RG Geoff Hangartner (-8.0) has been the biggest culprit, as he’s generated no push in the run game. Unless something dramatic happens, Brandon Mebane (+13.7) and Alan Branch (+3.6) are going to eat him for lunch. Mebane especially has simply been on another level in run defense, as he’s generated a league-leading stop on 14.1% of plays. The next closest player is nearly 4% lower. C Ryan Kalil (-2.9 run block grade) is also likely to struggle. He’s allowed five stops at or around the line of scrimmage. Finally, rookie Amini Silatolu (+0.5), who’s actually graded as the best of the three, will have his toughest test in pass protection. He’s given up just a sack, two hits and four hurries, but must now contend with pass-rushing specialist Jason Jones. Back at his more natural interior position, Jones has two sacks, five hurries and a pair of batted passes. All in just 82 pass rushes. Hangartner and Bell will have to be aware too because Carroll uses him on both sides.

the rest...

isn't hangartner out for this game?

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And best yard per pass average in the NFL....

Newton is one of the few showing up every week

BUTT HE WERES A TOWELZ ON HIZ HEAD!!

People just love to pile on our QB and kick him when he's down. Even if Cam "breaks out of his funk" I'm sure it'll be because Seattle's D didn't show up, not because of Cam himself.

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    • We're in alignment regarding Thielen not being a game changer/breaker for the Panthers. Getting the ball into hands of playmakers like TMac and XL is going to open up things more than it is getting it to Thielen underneath (or letting him go after 50/50 balls 20yds downfield in his mid-30s). However, in a room where the other guys are two second year guys and two rookies, having a reliable vet that they can learn from is just as important as it is for the QB to have as a reliable third option. I can see that being worth $8.5M (just 3%) of the $279.2M cap... especially when looking at what's left out there: https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/free-agents/_/position/wr However, the idea that the team is forcing production to Thielen and leading to losses isn't supported by the data. Targets, not receiving yards, are how you can tell if a player is being "force fed." In the two games mentioned, let's look at the other players available... vs. TB 10 targets - Adam Thielen 9 targets - David Moore 8 targets - Tommy Tremble, Xavier Legette 3 targets - Jonathon Brooks 1 target - Dan Chisena, Feleipe Franks, Stephen Sullivan vs. PHI 11 targets - Adam Thielen 8 targets - Xavier Legette 5 targets - Chuba Hubbard, David Moore 2 targets - Tommy Tremble 1 target - Ja'Tavion Sanders, Deven Thompkins There isn't exactly a bounty of other names to throw the ball to. In those games, AT was one of the top 2 WRs. Diontae had been gone by that point.   So... yea. Agreed that Thielen isn't exactly carrying the team in his mid-30s, but it's undeniable that he was the most reliable target last season that still has quite a bit of value this season. Whether or not that value is reflected in a manner folks think on the contract is going to come down to personal taste. However, the idea that the team was forcing production to AT and that was the reason behind some losses couldn't be further from the truth.
    • I would also add that I think it's more than money.  AT has looked absolutely miserable out there at times, and there was a lot of speculation he would demand to be traded.  Personally, I thought he was a lock to be moved last year.  Maybe his hamstring is the only thing that prevents that from happening. The fact that he's not only willing to come back and play, but excited about it, really bodes well for Bryce.  AT is a veteran and he knows the game.  If he didn't have confidence in Bryce, I guarantee you he wouldn't be in a Panther uniform this year.  I'll take that as a positive.
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