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Carolina Panthers: Monday Night Warning from Raiders

By John Woodcock

Nov 21, 2016; Mexico City, MEX; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) celebrates after a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans during a NFL International Series game at Estadio Azteca. The Raiders defeated the Texans 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2016; Mexico City, MEX; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) celebrates after a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans during a NFL International Series game at Estadio Azteca. The Raiders defeated the Texans 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Carolina Panthers need to move away from their second half trends to beat the Oakland Raiders.

What has been the big problem of the Carolina Panthers this season? Letting teams back into games. Why do the Panthers let teams back into games? Most likely it is losing the adjustment battle. The Panthers offense stagnates (or throws the ball to the Chiefs twice) while the other team makes a run, whether that team is the Saints, Chiefs, or Rams. The Panthers have won some games by simply not turning the ball over and lost others by doing the opposite.

Which makes the upcoming matchup with the Oakland Raiders on the road the much more important. There has been a game this season where the Raiders were let back into a game late and spoiler alert they won. It was last night against the Texans. The script would have fit any Panthers fans’ nightmares.

The secret to Panther success is the defensive effort in the first half. That is when the Panthers offense can score to build up the margin. The pass rush works and keeps the pressure off of the young cornerbacks. The Panthers haven’t yet showed how they will use their weapons so the offense moves along well enough.

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Then comes halftime adjustment. Now the behind team takes care to limit the pressure and that gives their quarterback time to make plays against that same young secondary. The lead slowly falls apart unless the Panthers get some big plays on offense. Its beat up offensive line cracks and that is less likely.

That is the danger. It is alive this week with Derek Carr at the helm for the Raiders. He has no concerns unleashing an old time Raiders weapon, the bomb, in order to get back into games. He unleashed a 75 yard play to Jamize Olawale. Then he turned around and threw a 35 yard bomb to Amari Cooper. He faces two rookie corners this week.

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There is still no word on whether Luke Kuechly will be back. He is in the concussion protocol and he stayed in it for three weeks the last time. Leonard Johnson is also not a certainty in the defensive backfield. The Panthers are moving toward bringing back Ryan Delaire off of the injured reserve, and the Panthers might need him if Mario Addison misses more time with his injured foot.

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