Panthers Defensive Success

The Carolina Panthers overcame an early 1-3 start, by winning 7 straight games and keeping them in the NFC Wild Card Race. During their 7 game win streak the Panthers have only allowed one team (The England Patriots) to score 20 points, and have recorded at least one takeaway and one sack in each game. Their defense have given their offense plenty of opportunities to score, and have dominated their opposition in brutal fashion. Defensive Coordinator Dennis McDermott has dialed up many different blitz schemes to harass opposing quarterbacks. Led by pass rushing enforcers Charles Johnson and Greg Hardy, the Panthers have had plenty of success rushing the passer from the left or the right side. McDermott learned some of his creative blitzing schemes when he was with Jim Johnson and the Eagles defense, when blitzing was huge for the Eagles. McDermott relies on the front four's penetration, allowing him to be more creative with blitzes and coverage's with linebackers and defensive backs. With an intelligent, athletic, fast, and sure tackling linebacker in Luke Kuechly, (Defensive Play-Caller), the Panthers have done a tremendous job adjusting to opponents' audibles and working effectively together, as a defense. Fellow Linebacker Thomas Davis overcame 3 ACL tears on the same knee, to help this stifling Panthers defense.  His inspirational performance over the past 2 seasons (Including this season), has inspired every member of this defense. His hard work has paid off as the Panthers rank 3rd in the NFL against the run, and 5th against the pass.

It's not only the front seven of the Panthers defense who plays well, the secondary has been very stingy against this season. Since Russell Wilson threw for 300 yards in a week 1 loss to the Seahawks, the Panthers have not allowed a quarterback to throw for over 290 yards. E.J Manuel (287 yards) and Tom Brady (283 yards) were the only other quarterbacks the Panthers faced, that threw over 280 yards.  During their 7 game win streak, the Panthers allowed an average of 219.7 pass yards per game. They have at least one interception their past 7 games, and have held great passers such as Tom Brady. One player that has been an huge impact to the Panthers secondary is safety Mike Mitchell. Mitchell was a free agent pickup from the Oakland Raiders and in my opinion, is the leader of the secondary. He is tied with the most INT on the team with 3. Mitchell also has 38 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 2 FF. One of the more underrated, and quietly talented safeties, Mitchell has stepped up for injured safety Charles Godfrey. He's created lots of turnovers and has matured into a better player. 5-8 Corner Captain Munnerlyn uses his speed and physical pressing to stop taller receivers. Munnerlyn also has 3 picks on the year too. Nickel Corner Drayton Florence has been a consistent cover corner against slot receivers and reads the quarterback well when playing in a zone. The Panthers have forced the 2nd most turnovers (23) in the NFL, and are among the leaders in sacks, with 34. McDermott's creative blitzing schemes, especially zone blitzing, confuses offenses, which creates turnovers. The Panthers front four's penetration makes it a lot easier for the Panthers secondary to create a turnover, which is why it's much easier for McDermott to dial up a creative blitz to confuse quarterbacks.

This Panthers defense reminds me of their Super Bowl team in 2003. They both have 2 good pass-rushing defensive (Julius Peppers and Mike Rucker were on Panthers Super Bowl Team) and have a good DT (Kris Jenkins on 2003 Panthers, Star Lotulelei on 2013 Panthers), a great MLB with good instincts and play-calling abilities (Dan Morgan on 2003 Panthers), and a solid secondary (Ricky Manning and Mike Minter were the stars of the 2003 secondary).  Both Panthers defense's had great run defenses and can generate a pass rush with their front four. The ability to create turnovers and have a great play-calling, and tackling machine MLB's is what really gets both defenses going. Rucker and Peppers created havoc for QB, just like Hardy and Johnson do this season. The 2003 Panthers and 2013 Panthers defense is so similar, that these Cardiac Cats might repeat what they did 10 years ago, a Super Bowl appearance.