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Carolina Panthers: Key stats to improve for 2018 season

By Brandon Croce

CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 22: Head coach Ron Rivera of the Carolina Panthers watches the game against the Chicago Bears from the sidelines at Soldier Field on October 22, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 22: Head coach Ron Rivera of the Carolina Panthers watches the game against the Chicago Bears from the sidelines at Soldier Field on October 22, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 07: Mark Ingram #22 of the New Orleans Saints runs with the ball as Luke Kuechly #59 of the Carolina Panthers defends during the first half of the NFC Wild Card playoff game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 07: Mark Ingram #22 of the New Orleans Saints runs with the ball as Luke Kuechly #59 of the Carolina Panthers defends during the first half of the NFC Wild Card playoff game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Opponents Yards per Play

5.4 yards per play (23rd in the NFL) *stat courtesy of TeamRankings.com

Defensive coordinator Eric Washington is inheriting one of the best defenses in the NFL. This group finished the year seventh in yards allowed per game (317.1 yards), third in sacks (55) and tied for 10th in points per game (20.4).

However, one of the reasons they finished as high as they did in yards allowed per game was because the Panthers offense did a good job of dictating time of possession. Last year, the Panthers had the second highest TOP at 32:22, behind only the Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles.

If the offense is successful with more vertical passing attacks, they are likely not to have as many long drives and eat up as much clock. This is why it will be important for the Panthers’ defense to improve on the average yards allowed per play because opponents are likely to have more opportunities on the field in 2018.

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