According to Steve Reed of the Associated Press.

Charlotte, N.C.

In their first two games, Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers have faced difficulties in moving the ball forward towards the opposing team’s end zone.

Unless they come up with a solution, it is probable that they will continue to suffer losses.

The Panthers have only completed one passing play over 15 yards so far this season, which was a 22-yard catch by rookie Jonathan Mingo in Monday night’s 20-17 defeat against the New Orleans Saints. This has resulted in a 0-2 record, putting them two games behind the undefeated NFC South rivals Atlanta, Tampa Bay, and New Orleans.

It is not entirely Young’s fault, as he was the top pick in the NFL draft. However, he has faced difficulties in connecting with open receivers at times.

The pass protection of the offensive line has been a challenge due to the presence of two inexperienced players filling in for injured starters Austin Corbett and Brady Christensen. Additionally, the receiving corps for Carolina, made up of Adam Thielen, DJ Chark, Terrace Marshall, and Mingo, has not been able to create enough distance from defenders.

Coach Frank Reich stated that our challenge on offense is not attributed to one individual.

The numerical values are unfavorable.

The Panthers’ average points and passing yards per game are currently 13.5 and 133, respectively. Additionally, they have committed four turnovers resulting in 17 points for their opponents.

Mostly, it has been unpleasant – and Reich is aware of that. However, he remains hopeful that it will improve in the near future.

“I have observed this situation before,” remarked Reich, who has prior experience coaching in Indianapolis. “It may seem distant, but in reality, I do not believe it is out of reach. A few key plays here and there and suddenly we could have 28 or 30 points. I am confident in our team and coaching staff’s ability to make it happen. I have no doubts about that.”

WHAT’S WORKING

The Panthers have successfully executed their pass rush strategy, with eight sacks in their first two games after transitioning to a 3-4 defensive scheme. However, a major issue has been the amount of time the defense has spent on the field due to lack of support from the offense. Frankie Luvu is currently leading with 2 1/2 sacks, closely followed by Brian Burns with two. Burns has also played a key role in creating pressure on the opposing quarterback, resulting in them being forced into the arms of his teammates for additional sacks.

WHAT NEEDS HELP

The Panthers have been unsuccessful on third down, only converting 9 out of 28 attempts.

Carolina does not seem to have the ability to turn to a third-and-short strategy like they did in the previous season with powerful runner D’Onta Foreman.

STOCK UP

Eddy Pineiro has successfully kicked 23 field goals in a row, dating back to last season. This impressive streak includes two 50-plus-yard field goals in Monday night’s game. Throughout his career, he has converted 90.5% of his field-goal attempts (68 out of 75). Justin Tucker of the Baltimore Ravens holds the record for the most accurate field-goal kicker in NFL history with a 90.3% success rate among those with at least 100 attempts. Pineiro only needs 25 more attempts to be eligible for this list.

STOCK DOWN

The top priority when playing with a new quarterback is to ensure their safety. Unfortunately, Carolina’s offensive line has not been fulfilling this duty. In the last two games, the young quarterback has been constantly under pressure and has not had the opportunity to get comfortable in the pocket. Running back Miles Sanders expressed the need to protect the quarterback, No. 9.

INJURIES

Shaq Thompson, a linebacker, suffered a broken right leg and is projected to be out for the rest of the season. On Tuesday, he underwent surgery to repair a fractured fibula. Coach Reich expressed difficulty in expressing the impact Thompson has on the team, describing him as a dedicated team member and a resilient player who knows how to train.

Thompson has recorded 100 or more tackles in four seasons during his nine-year tenure with the Panthers, earning him the reputation as the team’s emotional leader on defense. It is currently unknown who will fill Thompson’s position. This announcement is devastating for the Panthers defense, as they had already lost starting cornerback Jaycee Horn to a hamstring injury last week. Horn is projected to be out for at least six weeks.

KEY NUMBER

The Panthers have lost 52 games in a row when trailing in the fourth quarter, making it the longest streak in the NFL. The last time they were able to come back from a fourth-quarter deficit was on Oct. 21, 2018 against the Philadelphia Eagles. They were down 17-0 going into the fourth quarter but managed to win 21-17.

NEXT STEPS

On Sunday, the Panthers will travel to Seattle to play against them in the West.

Source: wralsportsfan.com