Pass-first Panthers frustrate Broncos' defense
December 15
Rocky Mountain News
"It was a sellout in Charlotte on Sunday.
Not just the crowd of 73,690 at Bank of America Stadium; instead, in approach, too.
The Broncos came to town intent on slowing down the most prolific running back tandem in the NFL in the Panthers' DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. They did that for the most part, save for a 56-yard Williams' scoring run.
To try to slow the rush, the team would need to augment an eight-man front with a mix of zone and man coverages aimed at limiting Pro Bowl receiver Steve Smith.
Smith foiled the strategy. If he wasn't quite a one-man show, it appeared that way at times in a 30-10 victory that put a temporary halt to the Broncos' playoff pursuit.
Smith beat Broncos cornerback Dre Bly when he shadowed him. He shook the tight coverage of Josh Bell at times, too. He found holes in the zone schemes. He wiggled free on screens. And when Smith was finished, his nine catches for 165 yards and one touchdown were the key to keeping Carolina on track for possible home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.
"It's kind of frustrating because it really didn't feel like we had a bead on them all game," said Broncos safety Josh Barrett, who made his first NFL start, playing the deep middle extensively as the last line of defense. "But they're dynamic. And they can get it either way."
The Panthers, coming off a 299-yard performance on the ground against Tampa Bay, knew the Broncos would be intent on taking away that strength.
For starters, quarterback Jake Delhomme came out passing on eight of Carolina's first 10 plays for 100 yards, mainly out of a no-huddle attack.
Linebacker Wesley Woodyard was playing strong safety from the first series. He was inserted mostly for run support but was exposed to throw after throw.
"It kind of caught us off guard and Steve was able to make consecutive plays," Bly said. "But he didn't really hurt us until he got tight to the formation. When he was out wide, he really didn't do much. They started moving him around and they were able to find creases in the zone."
Smith had three receptions on the first drive for 66 yards and a 15-yard touchdown on a play in which Bly was picked off his pursuit. Smith had six catches for 126 yards by halftime.
"We talked about it," Broncos defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban said. "Just like Atlanta came out passing the ball early, just trying to open up those zones to later accomplish what they wanted to do with the run."
Carolina achieved its goal right from the get-go to start the second half.
Williams, part of a Panthers' running attack that managed only 12 carries for 24 yards in the first half, took a first-down handoff to the left, found no room and cut back to the middle. He found a lane and went unimpeded 56 yards for a back-breaking touchdown and a 17-point advantage.
"It's the toughest matchup in football," Ekuban said of keeping Williams and Stewart contained. "Bec
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