Panthers vs Bills Preview
by Revshawn on Oct 23, 2009 10:40 PM EDT
33 comments
When the Panthers kick off the game at Bank of America Stadium this Sunday, it will be the final chance for the Panthers to really show off the talent we have on our team. It will be the final chance for the Panthers to grab another easy win before the schedule gets tough again. And most of all, it will be the final chance for Jake Delhomme to prove to us that he deserves to be starting at the helm of one of the best rushing offenses in the NFL.
The Panthers very quietly put up the 2nd most rushing yards in franchise history last Sunday against the Bucs, matched only by the 299 yard performance against the same team one year ago. They will have a strong chance to match such numbers against the Bills, who rank dead last in defending the rush. The Bills defense will also be without starting defensive tackle Kyle Williams, whom ranks second on the team in tackles and run stopping safety Donte Whitner. Both of these players were a couple of bright spots on an otherwise abysmal run defense.
Expect a heavy dose of the running attack from the opening snap, long enduring drives that take a lot of time off the clock and keep the Buffalo defense on the field for a long period of time. Also expect the Panthers to try to get the ball to Steve Smith, whom is highly disgruntled after his lack of targets for this year. If the rushing game is dominant, they may try to take a few shots into the endzone later on in the game.
On defense, the most curious player to keep on eye on would be our new acquisition in Tank Tyler. The Panthers got a very good DT for a 5th round pick, a player that the Chiefs didn't need due to their switch to a 3-4 defense. Expect him to be worked into the rotation and start the majority of the snaps on the Panthers defensive line.
He will be a definite help to a Panthers defense that has ranked 29th in the league in defending the rush. The Panthers will need bring the blitz early and often in order to stop a couple of capable runners in Lynch and Jackson. The Bills will be without starting QB Trent Edwards, so they expect to sell out against the run until Ryan Fitzpatrick can prove that he can beat them through the air.
And now for the top offensive matchups for the week.
Steve Smith vs Jairus Byrd
With Whitner out, Jairus will be called on to try to keep Steve Smith contained in double coverages. He's coming off a great game where he picked off Sanchez twice on road to a 16-13 route of the Jets. He will have to be on Steve Smith all the time, as he's proven time and time again that he cannot be handled by any single guy. Will we see the guy that the Jets learned to fear, or will we see a rookie? Only time, and the arm of Jake Delhomme, will tell. Steve Smith wants the ball, and I say we give it to him!
Jake Delhomme vs 4th ranked pass defense
Jake Delhomme will probably not be called on to do much during this game, but when he is he needs to get back to doing what he does. Don't hone in on Steve Smith, and spread the ball around to all of his receivers. He needs to go through his reads, and not try to force a pass that isn't there. With a running game like this, the Panthers need a game manager. Jake Delhomme needs to show that he can be that manager, because this will be his last chance before he faces teams like the Cardinals, who sport one of the best defenses in the league. His running backs will need help through the air to win those types of games, so Jake needs to show he can be that guy. What he doesn't need to show is that he's the sole reason that other teams can stay in the game.
DeAngelo Williams/Jonathan Stewart vs Bills D-Line
How good are these guys? Chances are we'll probably see on Sunday. You couldn't ask for a better script. A QB who can't throw the football, a defense that can't defend the run, and a pair of running backs whom are coming off one of the best rushing performances in Panthers history. All of these things point towards an excellent day for the Panthers run game, and we may finally cross over 300 yards rushing for good this game. Wouldn't that be fun?
Panthers O-Line vs Buffalo Blitzes
As spoken before, Buffalo will follow the formula of selling out against the run and trying to force the Panthers to beat them in the air. Whether they can do that or not is another story. Asides from a couple of questionable performances from certain players, the Panthers have one of the best offensive lines in the league. With Jake Delhomme's play though, he's going to need all of the time that we can get for him. If the Panthers offensive line can dominate the Buffalo blitzes and one of our running backs can break off a huge run, it will do wonders to keep us dominating this game.
Final Synopsis
If the Panthers can stick to the run and stop the run, they have this game in the bag. DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart should look to dominate and keep Lynch and Jackson off the field. However, Jake Delhomme needs to have a good day for us to be confident going into next week. Feed the ball to Steve Smith and spread the ball around when he isn't open. Steve Smith should be your first and 3rd read, but not your only read. He doesn't need to be a hero this game, he simply needs to deliver the ball to the open receiver.
As long as Jake doesn't blow the game, and we can stop the run and create pressure, the Panthers are in it to win it.
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couple of thoughts from the other side
First, good blog you guys run here.
Just some thoughts on the matchup. Not only are the Panthers running backs coming off a record breaking year, the Jets two headed monster set Jets records last game. Your running backs will get theirs. What cost the Jets though was Mark Sanchez trying to force the ball to Braylon Edwards. Our opportunistic secondary made Sanchez pay for throwing at Edwards, though in his defense, their no 2 and 3 receivers were hurt.
On the other side of the ball, the Bills were also able to beat the Jets because we finally got one of our two talented wideouts involved, with Evans having 4 catches for 68 and a touchdown, and was an overturned call away from having anothe catch and another 25+ yards.
All of this is relevant to this matcup in my opinion. The Panthers defense and running game will see success. It is because of this I think the most crucial players to deciding this game will be Jake Delhomme and Lee Evans/Terrell Owens.
I have no doubt Steward and WIlliams will shred the Bills defense on the ground but I do think if Delhomme feels pressured to force passes to Steve Smith the Bills will be able to grab one or two picks, maybe in game changing situations. If Delhomme plays what his running backs and the Bills secondary is giving him, the Panthers should have the advantage.
In regards to Evans and Owens, the Panthes probablywill – and should – be stacking the box to stuff Lynch and Jackson and force Fitzpatrick to beat them. In this situation I think Lee Evans vs Marshall is huge. Fitzpatrick and Evans showed they at least had some semblance of a connection against the Jets and with the Panthers run D looking to come up big, Evans or TO will be huge if they can show up.
In the end, I think both teams will play a similar style. Both defenses should stack the box against dangerous two headed monsters, both teams will hope underperforming QBs and as a result receivers can burn the opposing secondary, and it should be a clock draining tempo for both offenses. Because of this, I think whoever turns the ball over more will lose. Will Jon Fox feel the pressure to get Steve Smith involved or will he stay committed to pounding the rock on our weakened run d? To be honest, I’m hoping he trys to force it to Smith.
The no huddle is gone, please sign tackles Runyan, Jones or Walker
by poz on Oct 24, 2009 4:19 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
That is my concern
That Steve made such a fuss that Fox, being the players coach he is, tries to force it to him early. I think the Panthers should run some of those reverses to Smitty, and bring back that wildcat with Steve and DeAngelo in the backfield. Get him the ball early without Jake having to do much
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Oct 24, 2009 8:16 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
Nothing a half dozen slants can't fix.
If we stick to the short passing game with Smith and get him involved early, he’ll be fine and may even break one. The downside is that it will allow Buffalo to stack the line, but their outside linebackers are raw enough that we can probably get away with it. Send Moore and Moose deep or something.
Later on I expect a few heaves, and yes, an INT or two. But long interceptions aren’t impossible to overcome, if they happen on third and long it’s almost like an early punt. And it will force the Buffalo safeties to play back.
I think it’s crucial to involve Smith early, and it needs to happen with short, high percentage passes.
by Cyberjag on Oct 24, 2009 8:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Using Smith often this game will be high a risk-high reward scenario
If we can’t hit deeper routes then it makes it easier for DBs and LBs to jump the routes of shorter passes. We’ve seen this multiple times this year, and it all started because early on Jake was under throwing or over throwing down field.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Oct 24, 2009 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He'll use Steve Smith, no question about it to me.
The question is how much? I don’t trust Jake Delhomme anymore in the short passing game, he’s proven that he can’t be trusted to touch the football, much less throw it. In short yardage situations, I think we just need to run the ball till the Bills prove that they can stop it. Eight and Nine in the box? I don’t care. Until the Bills can make us consistently punt the football, the Panthers need to stay on the ground.
I am however, a little less scared when the Panthers throw deep to Smith. Worse case scenario we have a little less than a punt instead of a turnover..
It’s funny, the more I go on, the more this sounds like the Bills gameplan. I don’t trust Ryan with the football, throw it deep to Owens and Evans. Let Lynch and Jackson run the ball till the Panthers can stop it.
This is going to be a good game.
"Once again the trousers of evil are yanked down by the mocking hands of justice!"-Revshawn
by Revshawn on Oct 24, 2009 6:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If Jake underthrows a deep ball then it is picked.
We saw this a lot early on, and then Jake became more aware of it and started overthrowing. For whatever reason, elbow, mental meltdown… His accuracy is just off. And now because of it they just don’t take many shots down field anymore.
Matt Moore has a strong arm. He might make some newbie mistakes, but I gotta think he can hit some of those deep balls.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Oct 24, 2009 10:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
that is exactly the same game plan
I do fear getting Smith involved in reverses like southtunnel pointed out because I respect your offensive line. I think Williams and Stewart should be run, like Jackson and Lynch, till either run D proves it can stop it.
Both teams corners are talented going against dangerous receivers with weak armed QBs. As Cyberjag pointed out, our OLBs are raw and that scares me in the short passing game and runs ot the outside. This game is going to be two similar teams playing a similar style. QB mistakes will dictate this game.
The no huddle is gone, please sign tackles Runyan, Jones or Walker
by poz on Oct 25, 2009 4:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
+1
Get it to 89 on high percentage non-turnover touches.
If we have our running game in gear again, the Bills will probably need some turnovers to win the game. Don’t want to give them that opportunity if we don’t have to.
GO PANTHERS!!
by paydirt16 on Oct 24, 2009 6:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Byrd
Good call on Byrd. Keep an eye on him. For a 3rd round pick, he has an uncanny knack for being around the ball. He’s raw yet, but I he’s going to be a player.
by bluecollarbuffalo on Oct 24, 2009 7:50 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I agree. He's a hell of a player.
If he can play at the same level that he played against the Jets last week, he’s going to be a must keep player on the Bills team. No way that they get rid of him anytime soon.
"Once again the trousers of evil are yanked down by the mocking hands of justice!"-Revshawn
by Revshawn on Oct 24, 2009 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not to be “that guy”, but 2nd round. #42 overall.
Official ledge-talker-offer of the Buffalo Bills.
by WhyBillsWhy on Oct 24, 2009 10:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ahh
you just became “that guy”
by carolinabrave89 on Oct 24, 2009 11:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Crap. I knew it. :-)
Official ledge-talker-offer of the Buffalo Bills.
by WhyBillsWhy on Oct 25, 2009 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Anytime Delhomme is throwing the ball, the opposing team is still in the game. He proved that last week.
by maninthebox on Oct 24, 2009 9:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
If Jake can't hit the deep ball... I know somebody who can!
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Oct 24, 2009 10:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
And a bullet or two to Smitty???
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Oct 24, 2009 10:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The man is unstoppable!
"Once again the trousers of evil are yanked down by the mocking hands of justice!"-Revshawn
by Revshawn on Oct 25, 2009 12:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
How bout a deep pass to a new but familiar face...
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Oct 24, 2009 10:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He's not a man! He's a machine!
"Once again the trousers of evil are yanked down by the mocking hands of justice!"-Revshawn
by Revshawn on Oct 25, 2009 12:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Beautiful!
"Once again the trousers of evil are yanked down by the mocking hands of justice!"-Revshawn
by Revshawn on Oct 25, 2009 12:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Do you really think this is the whole store?
Fox and Davidson and Sherer know way way more than us the capabilities of their quarterbacks. And they’re starting Jake anyway. Rather than shake a fist in their general direction and tell them how wrong they are, isn’t it better to wonder what it is they see that causes them to make that decision.
Shaking the fist just makes you sound like Scott Fowler. ;)
by Cyberjag on Oct 25, 2009 8:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I shake my fist anytime someone says the name Jake
It’s an uncontrollable response.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Oct 25, 2009 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jake Delhomme the Starter?
If the Panther’s are not happy with Matt Moorer as the backup why have they kept him for 4 yrs. It is time to make a change and realize that sighning Jake to that Long Term Contract for rediculous money was for years past and not the future. Matt has always performed well when called on and seems to have a good arm and he has to be comfortable in the offense by now. It has not changed much in 4 years. If not trade with Philly to get a good QB. They have a stock pile! Oh yea…..It is too late. The dead line passed last week. Unlike non-belivers…..I would be happy seeing Vick behind center. His skills are there…..little rusty…. but they are still there. So everybody cut the Bullcrap and give the guy a chance to get his life back together. Just 3 years ago ….Every Defensive Coach in the league was pulling his hair out trying to defend him…..So cut the racist horse crap! And I am white!
Josephs117
by josephs117 on Oct 24, 2009 11:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
its not racism
vick was not a good passer, we need a game manager not a qb that will win us the game. vick was a horrible passer, no he was not better than delhomme at throwing vicks career passer rating was 75.6 (that was back when he was actually good) jake delhommes career passer rating is 83.7
by carolinabrave89 on Oct 24, 2009 11:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It is only fair to play the race card when discussing Vick
Because of all the White, Latino and Asian NFL players that are constantly getting caught running illegal dog fighting rings, and are let walk and allowed to continue playing.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Oct 25, 2009 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Long term deal was a salary cap move
We can still cut him and take the hit, but it gave us more room to sign free agents this year.
by Cyberjag on Oct 25, 2009 8:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Can I suggest a blog wide moratorium cutting the unsubstatiatied BS that the Panthers, and by extension the coaching staff are racist.
Unless someone has any kind of tangible proof that there is racism in the ranks of the Carolina Panthers, bringing it up serves no purpose other than slandering the team.
The Michael Vick situation had nothing to do with race, it has to do with his crime…. let me add he’s been signed while Matt Jones still doesn’t have a contract.
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
by James The Aussie on Oct 25, 2009 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You Aussies and your British convict origins obviously know nothing about racism ;)
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Oct 25, 2009 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Try telling the Aboriginies that ; )
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
by James The Aussie on Oct 25, 2009 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jake let's get real
Jake ; The fits coming off the field and on the sidelines doesn’t work for me anymore….Is someone in your pocket? I know that in the Horse business there are some shady people. Have you sold us out? I don’t want to believe that there could be something synister going on; but you have made some really bad decisions and throws. Prove me wrong Jake start playing the way I know you can or take yourself out. You are either hurt still or something is going on!
Josephs117
by josephs117 on Oct 24, 2009 11:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
He's a competitor
The fits are directed more at himself than others, the team knows that and sticks by him when things get tough. The fans should take note.
But that doesn’t mean I won’t be ticked if we fail to address the QB position!!!!!
by Flowing Willow on Oct 25, 2009 4:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Let's be honest... You guys just don't like Jake because he's white
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Oct 25, 2009 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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