WEEK 11: CAROLINA PANTHERS VS BALTIMORE RAVENS
Can Baker show us why he is a former No. 1 overall pick? Or will he crumple like has all season? find out in the next edition of Everything Buzz City.
Defense Keeps the Panthers Alive Against the Ravens:
Defense comes to play… again: This season has been a up and down year for the Panthers defense when it comes to being consistent. Although, the defense gave up over 300 net offensive yards the defense makes it up with the 3rd down stops to keep the score respectful and even forces Jackson to throw an interception. the Panthers defense had 3 players record 10 tackles in this one, this list includes:
Frankie Luvu: Frankie is having breakout season with 56 tackles, 9 TFL’s, 3 sacks, and 1 INT. Tonight, Frankie recorded 10 tackles and 1 sack he played a very impactful and great game at the middle linebacker position today and has been one of the few bright spots for this team this year.
C.J Henderson: Usually having 10 tackles is a good thing, right? NOPE!! Henderson like all seasons got EXPOSED vs the Ravens allowing Demarcus Robinson to be responsible for 9 catches for 128 yards, Lamar Jackson only threw for 209 against the Carolina defense for 0 touchdowns. Henderson right now is playing himself out of Carolina and eventually the league you can’t allow a slot receiver who’s season high is 64 yards to have over 100 receiving yards.
Jeremy Chinn: Chinn has continued to show why he will be a building block like Burns, and Brown are for the future of this franchise. Every season in his three-year career Chinn has recorded over 100 tackles a season but this year most likely will miss out on that goal due to injuries. Chinn plays safety, and SUBLB in the box, he is a very versatile player that can play many roles for the Panther’s defense.
OFFENSIVE STRUGGLES:
WR’s Cannot Catch the Football: We can blame Baker for many things… indecisiveness, inaccuracy, arrogancy, a turnover machine, and many other negatives but the receiving core needs to have more blame than it is getting at this point.
D.J. Moore: although a star wide receiver has had a problem with dropping passes this season and losing his cool in key moment shown in the loss to the Falcons at home to win the game. In one play Moore has a crossing route moving to the right hash mark, Mayfield places a good ball right the money, and Moore lets it go right through his hands. Moore only had 3 catches for 24 yards, you just expect More out of your star players, and it could just be Mayfield does not have good chemistry with his receivers that could be the problem.
Terrace Marshall Jr.: On a very important TD pass play to give the panther a 13-3 lead against the Ravens down the left sideline Mayfield placed a good ball to Terrance Marshall Jr. but the corner held Marshall’s right hand and Marshall tried to one hand catch it but could not come down with the ball, he also had a drop on an out route down the right sideline and just dropped the pass. Marshall had a team high 3 catches for 76 yards and 6 targets. Marshall is young only in his second season and having a much-improved 2nd campaign in Carolina, but you just expect more out of the former 2nd overall pick. Hopefully against Denver’s struggling secondary that game up a game winning touchdown to Devontae Adams will allow these two young receivers to have a breakout game.
Baker Mayfield and Rushing issues: As we all know the fan base and national perception of Baker Mayfield is mostly negative, But a huge reason for the Panthers recent two victories against Tampa and Alanta came off of the backs of the rushing attacking having close of more than 200 yards on the ground, but the issue is when the rushing attack is stopped or is not as explosive the Panthers struggle on offense, the Panthers against the Ravens struggled on 3rd down going 3-12 (25%)
Baker Mayfield: Mayfield had high hopes at the beginning of the season, this team was viewed as a possible playoff team coming into the regular season, how fast do things crumple in the NFL. Mayfield has been straight awful possibly on the level of an NFL Draft Bust Jimmy Clausen. Mayfield against the Ravens was 21-33 (63%), 196 yards, 0 TD’s, 2 INT’S late into the game. Mayfield is not passing 50-60 times a game all he needs to do for the Panthers is to not turn the ball over but the issue is while in a situation like 3rd and short Mayfield does not come through and although that is his fault to an extent, it is also a product of the receivers just not getting open and when they do they DROP THE BALL. I expect Baker to be benched whenever Walker or Darnold returns, Mayfield gives you no chance to win, the team doesn’t believe in him, his receivers don’t believe in him, and worst of all he doesn’t believe in himself.
Rushing Woes: Vs the Ravens the Panther’s rushing attack was dominated by a top 5 defense in this league, linebacker for the Ravens, Queen was all over the field making it very difficult for the HBs to get going. The Panthers only had 36 rushing yards all game this offense relies on a strong running game to set up play-action passes to attack over the linebackers in the zone and man to man defenses. But the Ravens were having none of that, hopefully Hubbard and Foreman can have a good game of at least 80-125 rushing yards against the Broncos.