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ESPN Stats and Info: The Evolution of Newton and the Panthers

teeray

By teeray,
in Carolina Panthers

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teeray Newbie

teeray

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http://espn.go.com/blog/statsinfo/post/_/id/77463/the-evolution-of-newton-and-the-panthers

 

Since Week 3:

Panthers 5-1  point differential +104 

49ers  5-1   point differential +93

Broncos   5-1   point differential  +85

 

Three teams in the NFC have double-digit wins since last Thanksgiving, and you probably could name the Seattle Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers, but would you also have guessed the Carolina Panthers?

The surprise team of the NFC, the Panthers are on a roll, winning five of their past six games with the largest scoring differential in the league during that stretch.
 

Cam Newton has found another gear in his third season, and along with one of the league’s best defenses, the Panthers are poised for a run. A marquee matchup this week with the San Francisco 49ers is one of only two games in Week 10 between teams currently seeded in the playoffs.

Newton is already known for his ground attack, leading all quarterbacks with 182 rushes and 12 rushing touchdowns since the start of last season. 

Among quarterbacks with at least 25 rush attempts over that span (approximately one per game), Newton’s average of 1.41 yards per rush after contact leads the league. His opposing quarterback Sunday, Colin Kaepernick, ranks 11th with an average of 0.78 yards per rush after contact.

That said, Newton will face his toughest test yet against a 49ers defense that has allowed an NFL-low 1.07 yards after contact per rush to all rushers this season.

Newton also has posted career highs in Total QBR and completion percentage this season. He currently ranks 10th in completion percentage, compared to Kaepernick's ranking of 28th.

Newton’s improved numbers coincide with a shift in his approach to the passing game.

In his first two seasons, Newton ranked fourth in the NFL in average air yards per throw, trailing only Matthew Stafford and Eli Manning in pass attempts more than 15 yards downfield. And for a while, it worked.

This season, Newton has struggled with the deep ball, ranking last in completion percentage on throws more than 15 air yards.

To their credit, the Panthers have adjusted, and Newton’s game has evolved in Year 3. His profile has changed from "deep passer" to one of the best in the NFL at the underneath throw.

Newton ranks third in the NFL and leads the NFC with a 74.6 completion percentage on attempts of 15 yards or fewer. He leads the NFC and trails only Peyton Manning with a Total QBR of 85.5 on such passes.

His adjustment in pass length could work well against a 49ers defense known for playing a deep Cover 2, which should encourage Newton to take what the 49ers give him and keep it clean underneath.

 

With Newton finding his stride and a Carolina defense that ranks second in the NFL in rushing and scoring defense, the Panthers will be a tough matchup in what could be a playoff preview with the 49ers Sunday.

 

nfl_e_newtonchart_gb1_600.jpg

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TheRumGone Grand Master

TheRumGone

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Wasnt it windy as f*ck last sunday? That effects deep passes more than people think.

 

yea it was. also Cam has had some flukey things happen downfield. he's also taking what the defense is giving him more and not taking as many chances downfield. Also with smith's role changing i think that has a lot to do with Cam's poor downfield percentage.

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Udogg Contributor

Udogg

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I also think teams are adjusting how they are defending us. Trying to make Cam beat them more methodically, and to his credit he has for the most part.

 

 

 

Funny how sometimes exploiting someones weakness has turned it into his strength.  Also our offensive line play does not lend itself to a lot of deep passes. 

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ZeroZeroSeven Enthusiast

ZeroZeroSeven

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The thing I like about this new air attack is the amount of time our drives are consuming. Does anyone have a stat regarding who is leading the leagues time of possession?

Houston is #1, Carolina is #2

http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorystats?seasonType=REG&offensiveStatisticCategory=GAME_STATS&d-447263-n=1&d-447263-o=2&d-447263-p=1&d-447263-s=TIME_OF_POSS_SECONDS_PER_GAME_AVG&tabSeq=2&season=2013&akmobile=ios&role=TM&Submit=Go&archive=false&akcarrier=other&conference=null&defensiveStatisticCategory=null&qualified=false

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!stUp Newbie

!stUp

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Why didn't I hear about this before? Now I'm at ease knowing that it wasn't Cam's fault, Smitty's fault, Ginn's fault, but the wind. Whew.

 

And Candlestick with those ocean winds, coming in from the bay can pose the same problem, especially if the game comes down to Gano.

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Peppers90 NC Community Regular

Peppers90 NC

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and #3 in 3rd down conversion percentage

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French Navy Newbie

French Navy

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And Candlestick with those ocean winds, coming in from the bay can pose the same problem, especially if the game comes down to Gano.

 

Don't you put any bad ju-ju in Gano's direction. He's been money. Hundred dollar bill money.

 

 

edit: forced to add that he did admit to miskicking the 55 yarder and it still went in!

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