First some team stats, starting with offense and then defense. I have a summary table further down.
- Eight (8) TDs scored to date projects to 32 on the season, 8 fewer than 2012
- Two (2) plays of 40+ yards projects to 8, 3 fewer than 2012
- Two (2) rushing TDs projects to 8 as well, a whopping 13 less than 2012
- 15 sacks given up projects to 60, a full 36 more sacks than last season (24) ...wow, let that sink in for a moment
That gives you an idea of how much more pressure Newton has been under this season versus last season. It's not like our 2012 line was real talented either. Though the running game has been fairly effective at times it isn't putting points on the board either.The offense as a whole has been morbid, ranking in the bottom third of pretty much every category.
The defense on the other hand, has improved in key stats though I think they still have room to get better:
- Defensive INTs (6) to date projects to 24 on the season, which is a full 13 INTs better
- 12 sacks projects to 48 on the season which would be nine more than last season
- 3 forced fumbles projects to 12 against a total of 16 in 2012
Summary of Team Stats
Stat | 4 Gms | Season | 2012 | Change |
Forced Fumbles | 3 | 12 | 16 | -4 |
TDs Scored | 8 | 32 | 40 | -8 |
Plays 40+ | 2 | 8 | 11 | -3 |
Rushing TDs | 2 | 8 | 21 | -13 |
Def INTs | 6 | 24 | 11 | 13 |
Def Sacks | 12 | 48 | 39 | 9 |
Sacks given | 15 | 60 | 36 | 24 |
Let's move to key player stats, starting with the offense:
- QB Cam Newton is on pace to throw 5 more passing TDs but 8 more INTs in 2013 as compared to 2012...ouch! Newton is also rushing less to the tune of 250 yds on the season
- RB DeAngelo Williams is on pace for just over 1,300 yards rushing, almost 600 more yards than he ran for in 2012
- After posting just over 1,300 receiving yards in 2012 WR Steve Smith will instead barely crack 800 yards
- Though Brandon LaFell is on pace to exceed his TD total by 3 he also running about 600+ receiving yards short of 2012
- TE Greg Olsen is on pace for 1,000 yards receiving on the season
- On defense Luke Kuechly looks to improve on both his pass defensed and his INTs
- Johnson and Hardy are on the same sack pass as last year.
- With the offense struggling most defenders are logging more tackles than 2012
Player | Stat | 4 Gms | 2013 | 2012 | Change |
Newton | Passings TDs | 6 | 24 | 19 | 5 |
Newton | Passing INTs | 5 | 20 | 12 | 8 |
Williams | Rushing Yards | 330 | 1320 | 731 | -589 |
Newton | Rushing Yards | 123 | 492 | 741 | -249 |
Smith | Receiving Yards | 203 | 812 | 1174 | -362 |
Smith | Receiving TDs | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 |
LaFell | Receiving Yards | 113 | 452 | 677 | -225 |
LaFell | Receiving TDs | 2 | 8 | 4 | 4 |
Ginn (2011) | Receiving Yards | 221 | 884 | 220 | 664 |
Ginn (2011) | Receiving TDs | 2 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
Olsen | Receiving Yards | 273 | 1092 | 843 | 249 |
Olsen | Receiving TDs | 1 | 4 | 5 | -1 |
Kuechly | Def INTs | 2 | 8 | 5 | 3 |
Kuechly | PDs | 4 | 16 | 10 | 6 |
Johnson | Def Sacks | 3 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
Hardy | Def Sacks | 3 | 12 | 11 | 1 |
Kuechly | Combined tackles | 38 | 152 | 164 | -12 |
Davis | Combined tackles | 29 | 116 | 105 | 11 |
Hardy | Combined tackles | 18 | 72 | 61 | 11 |
Johnson | Combined tackles | 12 | 48 | 41 | 7 |
Munnerlyn | Combined tackles | 18 | 72 | 61 | 11 |
Munnerlyn | PDs | 2 | 8 | 9 | -1 |
So what surpries you here?