Pros
- The Carolina Panthers will be forced to utilize backup quarterback PJ Walker in this week’s contest, which generally means fewer pass attempts and more rushing.
- The Panthers are a 4.5-point underdog in this game, indicating a passing game script.
- The Carolina Panthers O-line grades out as the 3rd-best in football this year in protecting the passer, which has a strong effect on all pass attack stats across the board.
- Phillip Walker’s passing precision has gotten a boost this year, with his Completion% increasing from 53.0% to 61.1%.
- Phillip Walker’s passing effectiveness has improved this year, notching 7.04 yards-per-target vs a measly 5.69 figure last year.
Cons
- The Carolina Panthers boast a new play-caller this season in offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo, and THE BLITZ projects their pass/run mix to lean 2.9% more towards rushing than it did last season (in a neutral context).
- THE BLITZ projects the Carolina Panthers to be the 7th-least pass-centric offense on the slate this week with a 56.0% pass rate, accounting for their underlying tendencies and matchup dynamics.
- THE BLITZ projects the Panthers to run the least plays on offense on the slate this week with 61.5 plays, accounting for their underlying tendencies and game dynamics.
- The Carolina Panthers have called the 3rd-least plays in the league this year, totaling a mere 53.6 plays per game.
- Opposing offenses have thrown for the 9th-least yards in the league (just 214.0 per game) vs. the Cincinnati Bengals defense this year.
Projection
THE BLITZ
213
Passing Yards