Sir Purr
Well-known member
- Mar 16, 2019
- 1,969
- 0
Improving those numbers won't be easy to accomplish against the Cardinals in Week 4. The Panthers are one of nine teams with at least 13 red-zone possessions through the first three games. But of those teams, Carolina has the fewest touchdowns (five). Aside from Detroit (six), each of the other clubs have reached the end zone at least eight times.
Arizona is one of the best red zone defenses so far in 2020, allowing just four touchdowns on 13 opponent possessions inside the 20.
The challenges will likely extend to third down. The Cardinals' defense leads the league, allowing an opponent conversion rate of just 29 percent. The Panthers had made 54 percent of their third-down opportunities in the first two weeks, but that figure is now tied for No. 13 at 44 percent.
"L.A. is a good team. They have a good defense. But you watch that game, and we didn't execute well at all (on third down)," Bridgewater said. "All camp, the first two weeks, you can say we moved the ball well and things like that, we executed well in different areas — whether it was third down one week, not turning the ball over one week."
Overall, the Panthers rank No. 24 in points scored, No. 16 in total yards, and No. 9 in passing yards. Those numbers suggest Carolina is doing some things right when it comes to offense. The unit did do enough to win in Week 3, but players know it might not be enough in the future.
"We still have a lot of work to do," Bridgewater said. "The mindset and the message will be to never be complacent."