PantherFanz
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Panthers pose problems for Philly
Football Scouts, Inc.
For ESPN Insider
Tuesday, January 13
Updated: January 13
8:59 AM ET
Editor's note: Football Scouts, Inc., takes an early look at the NFL playoff match-ups. They'll be back later this week with a more in-depth scouting report on each game.
DavisNot to discredit the importance of RB Stephen Davis, but Carolina's running game unquestionably is a group effort. That is why there shouldn't be a lot to worry about for the Panthers if Davis (quad) isn't able to go this week.
DeShaun Foster is a more-than-capable backup, and the Panthers' blocking has been strong and steady. QB Jake Delhomme and the passing game also are beginning to create better opportunities for Carolina's runners, rather than it always being the other way around. Still, running the ball in this match-up will be especially important, because Philadelphia will have an aggressive, playmaking defense and a frenzied crowd on their side.
The Eagles also will have QB Donovan McNabb, who will be under more pressure than ever to carry the load. The Panthers' secondary is weak, but McNabb doesn't have the perimeter weapons to take advantage. Meantime, Carolina's fast, active front seven could be very disruptive of the short passing game and scrambles that make McNabb and Philadelphia's offense go.
When Carolina has the ball ...
Carolina running game vs. Philadelphia run defense:
FosterThe most impressive thing about the Panthers is their unwavering commitment to what they do best: run. Even with star RB Davis out for much of the game last week, Carolina stuck to its game plan and got solid production from backups Foster and Nick Goings.
The team's blocking schemes are crisp, the offensive line traps as well as any unit around, and all of the backs show patience in letting blocks form. Whether or not Davis is healthy enough to play, the Panthers should get more mileage out of their ground game this week.
Philadelphia has an aggressive defense that Carolina can catch out of position on blitzes and stunts, popping big inside run plays. Foster can be effective in space on cut-back runs, so the Panthers will make every effort to get to the second level to attack and tie up the Eagles' smallish linebackers. That has become an easier proposition as injuries have left almost zero depth behind DTs Corey Simon and Darwin Walker and made both vulnerable to fatigue.
Carolina passing game vs. Philadelphia pass defense:
The Panthers' passing game is the most underrated unit left in the playoffs. The duo of QB Delhomme and WR Steve Smith is starting to look lethal, with Smith's ability to turn a short pass into a long gain giving an otherwise plodding offense some explosiveness.
DelhommeThe Eagles will play a lot of man-to-man coverage behind aggressive blitzes designed to confuse and hurry Delhomme. Early success in the run game for the Panthers will not only control the clock but also set up excellent play-action opportunities, on which Delhomme thrives. The more (and better) the Panthers run, the more success they will have in luring FS Brian Dawkins into the box, which puts Philadelphia in a bind in pass-defense situations.
As good as the Eagles have been over the years in man-to-man coverage, this secondary can be attacked on the perimeter, as 30-something CBs Bobby Taylor and Troy Vincent (who is nursing a hip injury) no longer strike fear into opposing offenses.
Delhomme will pick his spots, taking his shots when Smith or WR Muhsin Muhammad get the right single-coverage match-up. The pressure is on the Panthers to protect Delhomme, so Carolina's running backs might have to contribute in blitz pick-up.
When Philadelphia has the ball ...
Philadelphia running game vs. Carolina run defense: With game-breaking RB Brian Westbrook out for the year, Philadelphia's best running back now is ... its quarterback. Of the Eagles' 164 rushing yards last week, 107 came on scrambles by QB McNabb. And just as important, McNabb had 11 carries, indicating that his running was a big part of the game plan all along.
MinterKeeping that in mind, the Panthers likely will spy McNabb, perhaps with SS Mike Minter, their most instinctive defensive back and best open-field tackler. The threat won't be merely up the middle, where McNabb usually scrambles, but also on the perimeter, where he is rolling out more often. And the onus will be on the entire Panthers defense to read and react to run or pass, regardless of McNabb's location on the field.
The Eagles won't be able to run the ball inside on DTs Kris Jenkins and Brentson Buckner and LB Dan Morgan, who will force RBs Duce Staley and Correll Buckhalter wide. That means DEs Julius Peppers and Mike Rucker will have to avoid getting hooked on the edges. The Eagles will pull their offensive line on sweeps and off-tackle plays, but the real key to their run game may be their blockers' ability to move and make contact on the second level when McNabb drops back to pass and then scrambles.
Philadelphia passing game vs. Carolina pass defense:
McNabbThough Philadelphia threw for only 199 yards against Green Bay, McNabb was efficient and controlled, using eight different receivers and hitting a back or tight end on 11 of 21 completions. The Eagles don't stretch defenses, but their low-risk passing game minimizes turnovers and is a decent substitute for a consistent power run game.
The Panthers -- whose philosophy is to drop seven and rush four, controlling the line of scrimmage with their defensive line -- will not blitz as much as the Packers did. But after watching Green Bay drop McNabb for eight sacks, Carolina might decide to send a little more pressure to test Philadelphia's pass protection. The Panthers can afford the risk, because the Eagles' average wide receivers can be handled in single coverage.
The Carolina defensive line has done well in occupying blockers at the line of scrimmage and allowing the linebackers to move freely to the ball, so the Eagles might have more trouble on screen plays and draws -- which have been bread-and-butter plays for their offense.
Special teams
KasayTwo weeks ago, Panthers PK John Kasay tied the NFL postseason mark for most field goals in a game (five), but last week he missed two of five kicks indoors, and his worst game of the season came against the Eagles in Week 13. Kasay has excellent mechanics and has been tough under pressure in the past, but he will have to bounce back in a hurry -- and do so under much tougher (or at least colder) conditions.
P Todd Sauerbrun has the leg strength to kick Carolina out of trouble and usually gets great hang time on his kicks, but he had two punts blocked in the team's last cold-weather game (in the regular-season finale). KOR Rod Smart reads his blocks well and rarely dances in the hole, but he lacks ideal speed. PR Steve Smith, who returned a punt 53 yards for a TD three weeks ago, changes directions without losing much speed and is a home-run threat.
AkersPhiladelphia PK David Akers long has been one of the league's most consistent kickers, but he has been erratic recently. He made the game-tying and game-winning kicks against the Packers l
Football Scouts, Inc.
For ESPN Insider
Tuesday, January 13
Updated: January 13
8:59 AM ET
Editor's note: Football Scouts, Inc., takes an early look at the NFL playoff match-ups. They'll be back later this week with a more in-depth scouting report on each game.
DavisNot to discredit the importance of RB Stephen Davis, but Carolina's running game unquestionably is a group effort. That is why there shouldn't be a lot to worry about for the Panthers if Davis (quad) isn't able to go this week.
DeShaun Foster is a more-than-capable backup, and the Panthers' blocking has been strong and steady. QB Jake Delhomme and the passing game also are beginning to create better opportunities for Carolina's runners, rather than it always being the other way around. Still, running the ball in this match-up will be especially important, because Philadelphia will have an aggressive, playmaking defense and a frenzied crowd on their side.
The Eagles also will have QB Donovan McNabb, who will be under more pressure than ever to carry the load. The Panthers' secondary is weak, but McNabb doesn't have the perimeter weapons to take advantage. Meantime, Carolina's fast, active front seven could be very disruptive of the short passing game and scrambles that make McNabb and Philadelphia's offense go.
When Carolina has the ball ...
Carolina running game vs. Philadelphia run defense:
FosterThe most impressive thing about the Panthers is their unwavering commitment to what they do best: run. Even with star RB Davis out for much of the game last week, Carolina stuck to its game plan and got solid production from backups Foster and Nick Goings.
The team's blocking schemes are crisp, the offensive line traps as well as any unit around, and all of the backs show patience in letting blocks form. Whether or not Davis is healthy enough to play, the Panthers should get more mileage out of their ground game this week.
Philadelphia has an aggressive defense that Carolina can catch out of position on blitzes and stunts, popping big inside run plays. Foster can be effective in space on cut-back runs, so the Panthers will make every effort to get to the second level to attack and tie up the Eagles' smallish linebackers. That has become an easier proposition as injuries have left almost zero depth behind DTs Corey Simon and Darwin Walker and made both vulnerable to fatigue.
Carolina passing game vs. Philadelphia pass defense:
The Panthers' passing game is the most underrated unit left in the playoffs. The duo of QB Delhomme and WR Steve Smith is starting to look lethal, with Smith's ability to turn a short pass into a long gain giving an otherwise plodding offense some explosiveness.
DelhommeThe Eagles will play a lot of man-to-man coverage behind aggressive blitzes designed to confuse and hurry Delhomme. Early success in the run game for the Panthers will not only control the clock but also set up excellent play-action opportunities, on which Delhomme thrives. The more (and better) the Panthers run, the more success they will have in luring FS Brian Dawkins into the box, which puts Philadelphia in a bind in pass-defense situations.
As good as the Eagles have been over the years in man-to-man coverage, this secondary can be attacked on the perimeter, as 30-something CBs Bobby Taylor and Troy Vincent (who is nursing a hip injury) no longer strike fear into opposing offenses.
Delhomme will pick his spots, taking his shots when Smith or WR Muhsin Muhammad get the right single-coverage match-up. The pressure is on the Panthers to protect Delhomme, so Carolina's running backs might have to contribute in blitz pick-up.
When Philadelphia has the ball ...
Philadelphia running game vs. Carolina run defense: With game-breaking RB Brian Westbrook out for the year, Philadelphia's best running back now is ... its quarterback. Of the Eagles' 164 rushing yards last week, 107 came on scrambles by QB McNabb. And just as important, McNabb had 11 carries, indicating that his running was a big part of the game plan all along.
MinterKeeping that in mind, the Panthers likely will spy McNabb, perhaps with SS Mike Minter, their most instinctive defensive back and best open-field tackler. The threat won't be merely up the middle, where McNabb usually scrambles, but also on the perimeter, where he is rolling out more often. And the onus will be on the entire Panthers defense to read and react to run or pass, regardless of McNabb's location on the field.
The Eagles won't be able to run the ball inside on DTs Kris Jenkins and Brentson Buckner and LB Dan Morgan, who will force RBs Duce Staley and Correll Buckhalter wide. That means DEs Julius Peppers and Mike Rucker will have to avoid getting hooked on the edges. The Eagles will pull their offensive line on sweeps and off-tackle plays, but the real key to their run game may be their blockers' ability to move and make contact on the second level when McNabb drops back to pass and then scrambles.
Philadelphia passing game vs. Carolina pass defense:
McNabbThough Philadelphia threw for only 199 yards against Green Bay, McNabb was efficient and controlled, using eight different receivers and hitting a back or tight end on 11 of 21 completions. The Eagles don't stretch defenses, but their low-risk passing game minimizes turnovers and is a decent substitute for a consistent power run game.
The Panthers -- whose philosophy is to drop seven and rush four, controlling the line of scrimmage with their defensive line -- will not blitz as much as the Packers did. But after watching Green Bay drop McNabb for eight sacks, Carolina might decide to send a little more pressure to test Philadelphia's pass protection. The Panthers can afford the risk, because the Eagles' average wide receivers can be handled in single coverage.
The Carolina defensive line has done well in occupying blockers at the line of scrimmage and allowing the linebackers to move freely to the ball, so the Eagles might have more trouble on screen plays and draws -- which have been bread-and-butter plays for their offense.
Special teams
KasayTwo weeks ago, Panthers PK John Kasay tied the NFL postseason mark for most field goals in a game (five), but last week he missed two of five kicks indoors, and his worst game of the season came against the Eagles in Week 13. Kasay has excellent mechanics and has been tough under pressure in the past, but he will have to bounce back in a hurry -- and do so under much tougher (or at least colder) conditions.
P Todd Sauerbrun has the leg strength to kick Carolina out of trouble and usually gets great hang time on his kicks, but he had two punts blocked in the team's last cold-weather game (in the regular-season finale). KOR Rod Smart reads his blocks well and rarely dances in the hole, but he lacks ideal speed. PR Steve Smith, who returned a punt 53 yards for a TD three weeks ago, changes directions without losing much speed and is a home-run threat.
AkersPhiladelphia PK David Akers long has been one of the league's most consistent kickers, but he has been erratic recently. He made the game-tying and game-winning kicks against the Packers l
