Sir Purr
Well-known member
- Mar 16, 2019
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IMPROVEMENT IN RUN DEFENSE
A week after surrendering 166 yards rushing and 6.9 yards per carry, the Panthers vastly improved their run defense against the Bears.
Chicago finished with 63 yards on 25 carries, averaging 2.5 yards per attempt.
"I think anytime you hold someone in the NFL under 100 yards (rushing), it's a good day," Rhule said.
Linebacker Tahir Whitehead attributed the improvement to Carolina's defenders playing gap-sound football. Last week, Rhule said the Panthers needed to eliminate "silly stuff" like defenders spinning out of their assigned gap.
"When you have everyone on defense, all 11 guys doing their job, fitting the gaps that they're supposed to be in, using your hands, getting off blocks, and getting to the ball, you're going to play great defense," Whitehead said. "We just have to do it more consistently and do it at a high level each and every play."
The Panthers' defense has made significant strides in plenty of areas this season. Still, third down continues to be an issue. Chicago started 7-of-10 in the category, though Carolina tightened up toward the end of the game so that the Bears finished 7-of-14.
Overall, the Panthers have allowed a 50.7 percent third-down conversion rate, ranking No. 29 heading into Monday night's games.
"You need to be able to find a way to get off the field. You need to find a way to make the team punt the ball and not continue to extend their drives," Whitehead said. "I think that's something we'll continue to work at, and I think we will get better at because, at the end of the day, we have that type of group."
It won't get easier next week. The Saints are No. 4 on third down, converting 48.5 percent of their attempts this season.