A weekly look at what the Carolina Panthers must fix:
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers had a passer rating of 154.5 -- 158.3 is perfect -- in Sunday’s 38-17 victory over Carolina. Over the past five games the average quarterback rating against the Panthers is 118.7. To put that in perspective, that’s higher than Peyton Manning’s league-best 118.2 rating.
Now Carolina must face Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson, who ranks fourth in the NFL in passer rating at 101.9. Wilson leads all quarterbacks in rushing yardage with 327 and faces an undisciplined Carolina defense that ranks 26th against the run. When you include running, as ESPN Stats & Information does for its quarterback rating, the Panthers have allowed a total quarterback ranking of 82.7 over the past five games. Only four teams have been worse. Not since 2006 have the Panthers had a five-game stretch in which the opposing QBR was at least 70.
They didn’t have one pass defensed against Rodgers, who had as many incompletions (3) as he did touchdowns. The Panthers have allowed 15 touchdown receptions in seven games after allowing only 17 all of last season. All these numbers are alarming. Defensive coordinator Sean McDermott said Carolina has to change the brand of defense it is playing. He pointed to a lack of effort, particularly when it comes to missed tackles and yards after the catch. The Panthers are giving up an average of 140 yards after the catch this season, compared to 106 a year ago.
It’s a fix that can be made only with better technique and effort.
“It speaks to the consistency," McDermott said. “I know this -- we have to get it back. We’ve got to do a better job of swarming to the ball carrier."