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Getting Defensive - Arizona Cardinals

Zod

By Zod,
in Carolina Panthers

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Zod Grand Master

Zod

Posted
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The Carolina Panthers head to Arizona on Sunday where they will try to being their record to 2-2.

After handing the NY Giants their first shut out in years, the Carolina Panthers defense will continue their quest for league domination. Arizona currently ranks 27th in the league in total offense. The Panthers should be able to hold them to under 10 points.

Here is a preview of what you will see Sunday....

  • Arizona won't be able to run the ball. Rashard Mendenhall had an awful performance last week. 21 yards gained on 12 carries and two fumbles. It doesn't get much worse for a running back. Rookie Andre Ellington may get more carries this week. Ellington is a speedy edge runner, but should be stifled by the Panthers superior linebackers and defensive ends.
  • Carson Palmer will fold under pressure. A quick look at Palmer's stats tells the story. While under no pressure, Palmer's completion percentage is a respectable 64%. However, while under pressure that number drops to only 20%. If the Panthers front four can get pressure in the base packages the game is over.
  • Larry Fitzgerald will have his moments. The Panthers secondary will not be able to contain Fitzgerald the entire game. I expect a big play or two from him. Although the Cardinals offense is struggling, Fitzgerald has three touchdowns so far this season. The Panthers will give plenty of safety help in covering him, as the deep long ball has been the Panthers weakness on defense at times this season.
Overall I see a very productive day for the Panthers defense on Sunday. If they can contain the outside edges in the run game and get pressure with their base package it will be an easy victory.

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rayzor Grand Master

rayzor

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It's the offense that worries me this game.

yeah, their defense is pretty stout. the bucs did manage to score 10, tho. ...and that was with beanpole glennon throwing.  

 

i think we can get at least 14 from the offense and maybe another from the defense (i think the D is due for a score).

 

meanwhile, i wouldn't be a bit surprised to see another shut out from the defense. i really can't wait to see what that pass rush can do to the cards. and their run game? fugetaboutit.

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Cape Fear Cat Newbie

Cape Fear Cat

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God write up. I agree on all points. Speaking as someone who was about thirty yards away when Kraken laid that smack down on Carson last year (it rattled MY fillings, not mention what it did to Palmer), I can't help but believe he'll have a bad case of sweaty palms when he sees Hardy lining up against him. How about a similar analysis for the offense?

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CRA Grand Master

CRA

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God write up. I agree on all points. Speaking as someone who was about thirty yards away when Kraken laid that smack down on Carson last year (it rattled MY fillings, not mention what it did to Palmer), I can't help but believe he'll have a bad case of sweaty palms when he sees Hardy lining up against him. How about a similar analysis for the offense?

They have some playmakers in the secondary.....I think we need a somewhat conservative offense approach unless forced to open it up.

Can't allow there one strength to have a big impact.

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Jackofalltrades Proficient

Jackofalltrades

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They have yet to face a top 20 rushing attack this season.

Panthers are a top 5 rushing attack.

I think we will have success.

I didn't realize that. My fear is them shutting the run down, forcing Cam to throw with two dynamic DB's. I know they're really worried about Olsen. By them I mean their fans.

I'm really just worried about the normal Rivera Panthers showing up and finding new ways to lose to an inferior opponent.

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CRA Grand Master

CRA

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They have yet to face a top 20 rushing attack this season.

Panthers are a top 5 rushing attack.

I think we will have success.

Panthers also have faced the 27th, 28th and 18th rush defenses.

like most weeks, we go in confident or worried about something and it gets flipped on its head.

This would be a potential area to watch for.

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pdub0702 Proficient

pdub0702

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With our running game resurging, I feel we'll manage to put up a respectable 24 points. I'm not convinced their defense is good enough to stop us in this area. As far as their offense is concerned, Carson Palmer is a decent QB, but I think he's going to get shaken up early by who other then the Kraken, and will struggle. I'm predicting when win this game convincenly: 24-13

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Snake Grand Master

Snake

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Panthers also have faced the 27th, 28th and 18th rush defenses.

like most weeks, we go in confident or worried about something and it gets flipped on its head.

This would be a potential area to watch for.

And we will have to prove we can run the ball to win. If we can do that then we will be able to nullify there only way to beat us. Well provided Shula or Rivera does not poo the bed but that's every week.

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    • MHS831
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For a rookie, second round, edge, that is great.  He also forced 1 fumble on the season. Jones was decent in 2025 in just 131 snaps, but he is solid veteran depth.   We seem to lack the elite pass rusher, but this rotational unit will be a big upgrade over last season.  Expect Scourton and Princely to show improvement. While it is unlikely that we add more to edge this draft, you can never have too many pass rushers (well, you can--two sophomores and two veterans is a good mix). Would the Panthers take an edge if one was sitting there? Absolutely. Defensive End:  Derrick Brown is a stud.  I did not notice how dominant he became as a pass rusher.  His PFF pass-rush grade of 72.0 ranked 23rd among 134 qualified interior defensive linemans. His run-defense grade of 66.3 ranked 22nd at the position. He generated 35 total pressures as a pass rusher. That total included 6 sacks, 23 hurries, 6 hits. On the other side:  What the hell?  Tershawn Wharton earned a 40.8 overall PFF defensive grade in the 2025 season, 127th among 134 qualified interior defensive linemans. His PFF pass-rush grade of 57.0 ranked 95th among 134 qualified interior defensive linemen. His run-defense grade of 34.8 ranked 125th at the position. However, Wharton needs to be situational and we really need a few DEs who can plug and pressure.  LaBryan Ray is an interior defensive lineman for the Carolina Panthers who earned a 45.7 overall PFF defensive grade in the 2025 season.  You cannot tell me that we are not going to add a DE.  In my view, this is a HUGE need that we have not adequately addressed.  There were only 3 DEs in the NFL who played more snaps that Derrick Brown.  We have to give him more blows during the game.  So After Brown, we have 2 other players who need to improve a lot to reach mediocre. 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His pass-rush grade of 82.2 ranked 5th among qualified linebackers.  He's good.  At the moment, beside him is Trevin Wallace  who earned a 55.9 overall PFF defensive grade in the 2025 season, 57th among 88 qualified linebackers. His PFF coverage grade of 64.5 ranked 25th among 88 qualified linebackers. His run-defense grade of 42.3 ranked 85th at the position. His pass-rush grade of 64.2 ranked 45th among qualified linebackers.  Wallace was best as a coverage LB, and based on my memory, I am not sure he was in the top third, but if PFF says so...however, he was nearly last vs. the run.  We need better to play beside Lloyd.  Bam Morris-Scott earned a 37.6 overall PFF defensive grade. 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He allowed a 72.9 passer rating when targeted by opposing quarterbacks --SOLID!!  Our second-best CB, Jaycee Horn, was in the pro bowl.  He earned a 57.8 overall PFF defensive grade in the 2025 season, 76th among 114 qualified corner.backs. His PFF coverage grade of 61.6 ranked 61st among 114 qualified cornerbacks. His run-defense grade of 50.5 ranked 87th at the position.  He recorded 5 interceptions on the season.  Our CBs had NINE interceptions in 2025.  It is doubtful they duplicate that figure, but Jackson was our best CB.   We are thin at CB, but the two we put out there are solid.  Nickel, at this time, is "meh," but both are developing and should improve.  A great draft for Nickel.  The Panthers will add a CB somehow. Safety:  For now, Trevon Moehrig is as advertised--above average vs. the run, below average in coverage, making him average. He earned a 64.3 overall PFF defensive grade in the 2025 season, 50th among 98 qualified safeties. His PFF coverage grade of 55.3 ranked 64th among 98 qualified safeties. His run-defense grade of 73.5 ranked 37th at the position.  Lathan Ransom got some valuable experience in 2025, getting in on 330 plays or so.  He earned a 62.9 overall PFF defensive grade in the 2025 season, 56th among 98 qualified safeties.  (Average, not bad for a day 3 rookie) His PFF coverage grade of 55.8 ranked 63rd among 98 qualified safeties. His run-defense grade of 85.1 ranked 4th at the position.  A pure strong safety, if you ask me.  Nick Scott  earned a 67.8 overall PFF defensive grade in the 2025 season, 36th among 98 qualified safeties. His PFF coverage grade of 67.3 ranked 31st among 98 qualified safeties. 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