Previewing The Carolina Panthers Offense

Dec 28, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) reacts against the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth quarter at the Georgia Dome. The Panthers defeated the Falcons 34-3. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The Cardinals will have a huge task this Saturday when they have to head to North Carolina to face the Panthers. The Carolina Panthers are heading into this game on a four-game winning streak while the Cardinals have dropped their last two games.

Though you might not believe it, the Cardinals will definitely have a tough time against Carolina’s offense.

The Panthers have been a feisty team the last four weeks. Except for the blowouts they gave to the Saints and Falcons, they have had to come back to beat Tampa Bay and Cleveland. The offense has performed well and can give the Cards D some fits.

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Quarterback Cam Newton has only turned over the ball only once in three of those four games he’s played in and has a total eight touchdowns (5 passing and 3 throwing) during the win streak. Newton has been efficient when he gets out of the pocket as well, averaging 5.2 yards per carry and putting up five touchdowns on the season.

The Cardinals have to keep him off rhythm and make him want to stay in the pocket for the team to increase their chances of winning.

The Panthers have been consistent on one thing this year and that’s running the ball. Regardless of whether it’s Newton, DeAngelo Williams or Jonathan Stewart, this team is seventh in rushing yards per game. All three players have missed time throughout the season but will ready for Saturday.

Carolina’s best runner is Stewart, having rushed for 809 yards in 175 attempts for only three touchdowns during the season. Though Stewart didn’t break 1,000 yards this season, he only played in 13 games and started in eight. The Cardinals might have a bit of trouble shutting the running game with Williams good to go.

The receivers and offensive line were the two most heavily criticized positions for Carolina this year. Sure, Newton has Kelvin Benjamin and Greg Olsen, both with over 70 catches and 1,000 yards receiving this year but they really have no one else besides those two. Their next best receiver is Jerricho Cotchery, who on any other team would probably be at the very most a fourth string receiver.

Their offensive line has been about mediocre to kind of decent this season without Jordan Gross, giving up only 42 sacks this season, good for 12^th in the NFL. They have had success rushing the football as I mention before but they still struggle in pass protection.

I have a hard time looking at their line and their weapons and thinking the Cardinals won’t be able to stop them but crazier things have happen before. I honestly have no idea who wins this game, the Panthers shouldn’t be in the tournament but they got in, and as a very hot team nonetheless.

The Cardinals should have won their division but when Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton went down, that went down as well. This is going to make for an entertaining football game.