NFL
By: Joe Cardoso
The Commanders haven’t had enough success to overlook anyone and this week the Carolina Panthers come to town. Coming off losing to a tough Ravens squad a return home can’t hurt. This is still a top-10 offense with an improving defense that plays without Jonathan Allen who was lost for the season. Jayden Daniels kept his insane season going throwing for over 250 yards and 2 TDs with zero interceptions. Daniels leads the league in completion percentage. If this was a normal season for this franchise I would say this is a LOCK and write the win in Sharpie. But, when you have performed like we have the last few years maybe we write the win in dry erase marker. Take a look at the keys to the games.
Let Jayden Cook:
The Panthers are BAD on defense and that needs to be showcased a lot and often. Coming into this game they rank 32nd in points allowed per game and 30th on 3rd down defense. To you fantasy football owners I would start whatever Commanders you have on the roster. Look for the run game to come alive and set the table for the passing game to pull off explosive plays. Seven weeks into the season the Panthers have 6 sacks on the season.
It has been the theme all year and it won’t change anytime soon. Every game this offense improves and showcases more of what Kilff Kingsbury has in his bag of tricks. A contest like this one should be an opportunity to dig deep in his bag and give the home fans a show they will remember. I have enjoyed the use of the tight end is an easy throw for Jayden and can get a quarterback’s confidence up early in ball games. No way the Panthers want to get into a shootout with us they don’t have the weapons to keep up.
Is There A Secondary In The House?
The poor Carolina pass defense is not alone at the bottom we have a sit right next to them. Lamar Jackson had his way with the secondary. Andy Dalton has brought a small bump in production to the Carolina offense he can’t be allowed to have season highs in this game. Generating a pass rush and getting him off his spot Andy still loves to give the ball to the other team from time to time. Where the loss of Allen will really hurt in this game is run defense. Chuba Hubbard is a tough, hard-nosed runner and can be an issue if tackling doesn’t happen. I fully expect Dan Quinn to have some of the holes we saw in the backend fixed this week. Minus Hubbard no one on the Carolina offense puts fear in your heart. Don’t let anything good happen for them early and this game could be over by halftime.
The Bottom Line
These are the ones the good teams win period. Even with last week’s loss, this is a different type of Commanders team, one that has grit and expects to win games. Last week showed we can line up with anyone and keep up. A continued growing offense and the defense plugging up some of its leaks. Don’t be surprised to see our starters sitting in the 4th resting. For this to happen we can’t give the Panthers any type of hope starting at the coin toss. This a MUST win. Why do I say that? Because, to make the playoffs you can’t lose the ones you “should” win. Our offense is a powerhouse and needs to perform as such. A win for the Commanders 31-21. #RaiseHail
