CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers’ challenges along the defensive line continue growing.
For the third game in a row, the Panthers allowed an NFL opponent to run for at least 200 yards as Dallas Cowboys Rico Dowdle, an Asheville, N.C., native, rushed for a career-high 149 yards Sunday at Bank of America Stadium. The Cowboys entered Sunday averaging nearly 91 rushing yards per game, but compiled 211 during the 30-14 victory.
In Week 14, the Philadelphia Eagles, paced by Saquon Barkley’s 124 yards, registered 209 yards and rookie Bucky Irving recorded a career-best 159 yards as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers rolled for 236 yards during a Week 13 win.
Coach Dave Canales said during his post-game press conference Sunday, that despite the plethora of injuries, the unit will continue to analyze film to cut down on the sieve-like holes along the defensive front.
“We just got to go right off the film and just look at the fundamentals of the call,” Canales said. “Where people are supposed to be getting guys down, keeping them from getting those extra yards and all that. And so, we just got to return to the basics. That’s really what we have, is to look at the film, here’s the basics of how this call is supposed to be fit versus these styles or runs. And just continue to just ask the guys to press into that.”
Yielding 173 rushing yards per game, the Panthers rank last in the NFL, 30.7 yards more than the No. 31-ranked New York Giants.
When asked if he retained confidence in the Panthers’ 3-4 base defense, Canales emphatically said: “Absolutely.”
#Panthers DL continues to sidestep improvement against the opponents’ running game, ranking last in the #NFL – by far … pic.twitter.com/7OuSSQlGHh
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) December 10, 2024
Quick Outs
Rookie wide receiver Xavier Legette injured his groin Sunday and is “week to week,” Canales said. Leggett collected a team-high 41 catches, 439 yards and four touchdowns this season. … Quarterback Bryce Young’s 83-yard touchdown pass to rookie Jalen Coker was a career-best effort for both players. … Young has at least one TD pass in seven straight starts. … Coker reached a top speed of 21.15 mph during his touchdown play, according to Next Gen Stats. It was the fastest speed for a Panthers player since DJ Moore reached 21.38 mph during Week 4 play in 2021. … Inside linebacker Josey Jewell led the Panthers with 10 tackles, his third consecutive outing with double digits in tackles. … After allowing 22 sacks in its opening 13 games, the Panthers’ offensive line also struggled, surrendering six second-half sacks.
@Panthers rookie WR Xavier Legette enhances a fan’s familiar No. 17 #NFL jersey … pic.twitter.com/RCTRygtKFY
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) November 27, 2024
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