Pros
- The predictive model expects the Panthers to be the 5th-fastest paced defense in the NFL (adjusted for context) right now, leading opposing offenses to average 27.46 seconds per play.
- Among all RBs, Miles Sanders grades out in the 89th percentile for rush attempts this year, making up 57.0% of the workload in his team’s rushing attack.
- The Carolina Panthers offensive line profiles as the 10th-best in football last year at run-game blocking.
Cons
- The Panthers will have a new play-caller this year in offensive coordinator Thomas Brown, and the model projects their pass/run mix to tilt 4.9% more towards passing than it did last year (adjusted for context).
- The Panthers are a massive 9.5-point underdog this week, likely creating an extreme passing game script.
- Based on their underlying strategic approach and matchup dynamics, the model projects the Panthers to run on 40.1% of their chances: the 8th-lowest frequency among all teams this week.
- Miles Sanders has rushed for substantially fewer adjusted yards per game (38.0) this year than he did last year (74.0).
- Opposing teams have run for the fewest adjusted yards in the NFL (just 55 per game) against the Lions defense this year.
Projection
THE BLITZ
54
Rushing Yards