Panthers offensive statistics highlight the key area needing improvement
Here’s a look at the good and the bad in the performance of the Panthers offense in 2020.
We are now seven games into Matt Rhule’s inaugural season as the head coach of the Carolina Panthers. I’ve been mildly impressed with how the team is progressing in spite of it being a ‘rebuilding year’ so to speak. In fact I can see the Panthers winning upwards of eight games, something I would not have imagined back in August. The main driver of my enthusiasm is the offenses ability to move the ball down the field and control the clock. I think Joe Brady’s offense is effective for the most part but it is not without areas needing improvement. Looking at the Panthers offensive statistical rankings we can see where the offense has been effective and where it needs improvement in order to rise above mediocrity.
Per NFL GSIS, the Panthers are in the top 10 of the NFL in the following offensive categories:
· 5th in passing yards per play (7.89)
· 7th in total yards per play (6.05)
· 7th in time of possession (31:15)
· 8th in third down conversion percentage (46.91%)
These are not incidental offensive statistics, these are some of the key ones to sustaining drives when you talk about yards per pass play and third down conversion percentage.
A lot of the credit goes to quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and his ability to read the defense and make the right choice with the ball. He hasn’t been perfect obviously but he has been good enough to keep the Panthers in every game this season.
Here’s what the Panthers offense is bad at (i.e. - in the bottom 12 of the NFL rankings):
· 30th in goal to go percentage (57.14)
· 28th in red zone percentage (52%)
· 24th in scoring (23.1)
· 20th in rushing yards per game (105.4)
The first two stats obviously impact scoring and the last one can be attributed to the loss of running back Christian McCaffrey. So I see no surprises in these numbers.
In summary the problem isn’t generating offense and sustaining drives. It’s about finishing drives when you get the red zone. This has been obvious to even the casual fan. Swapping touchdowns for field goals is not the way you win NFL games. This has to be the focus of Joe Brady and the offense going forward. The return of McCaffrey might provide the needed boost in the red zone that has been missing but he can’t be the only answer. It really seems we are missing that big target at tight end that comes in handy when working with a short field. Ian Thomas I’m looking at you big guy!
Regarding the remaining offensive statistics, the Panthers are middle of the road of every other statistical category, mostly in the 16th to 18th range. So what are your thoughts on the offense Panthers fans?
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