Michael Bennett once compared the Panthers to an ‘attractive cousin’ for the Seahawks. It was an interesting choice of words but illustrative of how similar the two teams are and how familiar they became over this last decade. This has mostly been a one-sided affair, though. Since Pete Carroll became head coach in 2010, Seattle has won seven of nine meetings between these non-division rivals.
Carroll’s teams have mostly out-matched Carolina’s from a talent perspective. The 2015 season was the exception to the rule. However, this current Panthers team does have a number of promising pieces, especially on offense. Here’s what Carroll says he sees on film this year, per the team website.
“Well, I see a lot of fire-power. A lot of special players – players with a lot of special dynamics. They run well, in general. They’re playmakers out there on both sides of the ball. So, they look very dangerous scheme wise. They do difficult stuff. Norv (Turner) has always been a really big factor in putting together good offenses.”
Carroll has it right. The combination of Christian McCaffrey and D.J. Moore in particular has been astoundingly productive. Together, they have totaled more scrimmage yards (3,037) than any RB/WR combo at this point in the season since Edgerrin James and Marvin Harrison in 2000.
McCaffrey and DJ Moore have combined for 3,037 scrimmage yards, the most by any RB-WR duo in the NFL this year.
It's the most by any RB-WR duo through Week 14 since 2000 when Edgerrin James and Marvin Harrison combined for 3,051.
— Will Bryan (@Pantherstatsguy) December 11, 2019
James and Harrison of course had an all-time great quarterback that was just coming into his prime in Peyton Manning.
These young guns for the Panthers have considerably less help in that department and it’s the main reason the offense has fallen off this year. Moore and Curtis Samuel have suffered the most. Their catchable pass rates are both among the lowest in the league thanks to the accuracy and timing issues of backup QB Kyle Allen.
How much the Kyle Allen has hurt the Panthers WRs
Of the 32 WRs with at least 40 targets that have traveled at least 10 yards downfield, Curtis Samuel ranks 29th in catchable target rate.
The three with lower rates: Odell Beckham, Robby Anderson and … DJ Moore.
— Steven Ruiz (@theStevenRuiz) December 12, 2019
Carolina has another up-and-coming weapon in tight end Ian Thomas, who posted 57 yards and a touchdown last week against Atlanta with Greg Olsen ruled out. If Thomas can fix his issues with drops, he’ll be another very capable piece for the Panthers.
For those counting at home, that’s four young play-makers – plenty to field a competitive offense if the rest of the equation holds up.
Of course, this team was built to compete around a very different quarterback than Allen. If they are ever able to pair a 100% healthy Cam Newton with McCaffrey, Moore, Samuel, Thomas and especially a strong pass protecting offensive line – this could still be a special group.
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