The Defense Must Stop the Run

Entering the season, pass defense was the biggest question mark for the Panthers, who boast one of the premier front sevens in the NFL and generally have no problem stopping the run.

Prior to Week 2, the Panthers hadn’t allowed a 100-yard rusher in 21 straight games. But Atlanta’s Tevin Coleman changed that with a 107-yard performance that saw Carolina miss tackles it usually makes and leave gaping holes for the Falcons to run through.

Heck, even Matt Ryan had two rushing touchdowns, already matching his career high for an entire season. His success on the ground added more frustration for the Panthers’ defense, which mostly held the Falcons’ talented wide receiving corps in check.

One would think that Carolina would have more success against Bengals backup running back Giovani Bernard on Sunday. He will be filling in for starter Joe Mixon, who has averaged 4.7 yards per carry over the first two weeks.

But that may not be the case, given that Coleman was filling in for the explosive Devonta Freeman when the Panthers were shredded by the Falcons.

In any event, the Panthers must stop whoever Cincinnati throws at them. That includes quarterback Andy Dalton, who has just 18 rushing attempts in his eight-year career.

Next Page: No. 3