Carolina's defense showing cracks
Panthers have allowed 98 total points in past three games; must find form against 9-3 Bucs.
By Scott Fowler
sfowler@charlotteobserver.com
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/story/392602.html
Offensive shootouts have rarely been their style. They are a team built to win 20-10, not to play a game where both teams score in the 30s and you hope to get the ball last.
That's why the past three weeks have been so puzzling. Carolina (9-3) has allowed 22, 45 and 31 points in its past three games entering Monday night's home game against Tampa Bay (9-3). The 45 points by Atlanta and 31 by Green Bay represent the two highest point totals of the season by an opponent.
Fortunately for Carolina fans, the Panthers have won two of those three because their offense has averaged 31.3 points during the same stretch. The Panthers edged Green Bay, 35-31, Sunday in their most recent game. But you can't walk that tightrope forever, and the Panthers defense knows it.
“It's been frustrating and something we're going to have to correct,” Panthers safety Chris Harris said. “Playing in December, giving up 31 points is going to get you beat … We've got to get that total down.”
The Panthers defense has lately had particular trouble on third down. While it has only allowed opponents to convert third downs 36 percent of the time for the season, in the past three games that number has risen to 38, 46 and then 50 percent against Green Bay.
“To get a team into third down is good,” Panthers middle linebacker Jon Beason said. “But third-and-4 and third-and-5, those are a lot easier to pick up, because you can run or throw. If we can force Tampa into some third-and-longs, then we can get off the field.”
The Bucs are hot, having won six of seven.
“Jeff Garcia is playing the best he has his whole career,” said Beason, referring to the Bucs' quarterback who has bedeviled Carolina many times. It was Garcia who led Tampa Bay to its 27-3 win against Carolina Oct.12.
Panthers coach John Fox said Tampa Bay's offense is similar to the one New Orleans runs and that it is centered on Garcia.
“He's a good quarterback who's played in the West Coast offense for some time,” Fox said. “He has good mobility, he buys time – all the same things that the Steve Youngs and Donovan McNabbs (did) when operating the West Coast over the years.”
Garcia had a 117.3 passer rating in the first game with Carolina, completing 15 of 20 for 173 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. Warrick Dunn sped through the Panthers for 115 rushing yards.
When asked what Carolina needed to do differently this time around, Fox cracked: “Oh, just about everything.”
That starts with defense. The Panthers still rank a respectable 11th in total defense and seventh in points allowed, but they were in the top five in both categories not long ago.
Said Harris: “We've got to go back, re-focus and do those little things we were doing in Weeks 1-9.”
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