Going into Week 11, the Panthers have just an 18% chance of making the playoffs, according to FiveThirtyEight.
If they’re going to defy those odds and make the postseason this year, they need these six individuals to step up over their final seven games.
QB Kyle Allen
The problem: accuracy
After seven starts, we know more about what Allen is and isn’t at quarterback. He is a relentless competitor and excellent teammate who has said all the right things and taken blame for his mistakes since Cam Newton’s injury. However, Allen has also been erratic in the pocket and has missed too many open receivers. Allen is completing just 61.5% of his passes this year. That’s more than six points lower than Newton’s completion percentage from 2018. While he seems to have a strong rhythm established with D.J. Moore and Christian McCaffrey, Allen is often out of sync with Curtis Samuel and Greg Olsen. Working on timing with those two might help boost his accuracy.
C Matt Paradis
The problem: pass protection
Allen might feel more comfortable in the pocket making throws if he had better pass blocking in front of him, especially from the interior offensive linemen. Center Matt Paradis has been the worst offender by far. He’s allowed a lot of hits and hurries this season and was just exposed by Packers defensive tackle Kenny Clark in a bad way. The Panthers will pay Paradis over $27 million over the life of his contract and they deserve a better return than what they have gotten so far. If Paradis doesn’t improve significantly in this area, it’s going to be tough for Carolina to compete down the stretch.
WR Jarius Wright
The problem: drops
Allen has also seen some of his receivers drop balls in key situations. Veteran slot receiver Jarius Wright has had the most trouble, here. Wright was an extremely reliable option for Cam Newton on third down last season, but he hasn’t come through for Allen in the same way. Wright has dropped six passes already and his struggles are part of the reason the team claimed Donte Moncrief off waivers. Wright has caught just 15 of his 31 targets this year, totaling 171 yards and no touchdowns as of yet.
S Eric Reid
The problem: tackling
Bringing in Tre Boston so late in the year was a coup for general manager Marty Hurney. Boston was supposed to be the final piece to solidify the back end of the defense. While Boston and the other defensive backs have done their jobs for the most part, Reid has been disappointing this season. He’s always had a habit of trying to make big hits as opposed to wrapping up on his tackles and it’s gotten worse this year. Reid needs to play with more discipline and take better angles to ball carriers.
K Joey Slye
The problem: consistency
Slye started out the season as a legitimate fantasy football stud. However, he’s slowed down some as the year has gone on. Slye’s problems began against Jacksonville Week 5, when he had one field goal blocked and missed another plus an extra point attempt. In London, he missed two more field goals against the Buccaneers. Slye also had some issues in the Week 9 win over the Titans. For the season, he’s at 16/22 on field goals, just 72.7%. He’s not going to make all of them, but more consistency would certainly help.
HC Ron Rivera
The problem: defensive scheme, selective aggression
Winning football games isn’t just on players, though. They need to be put in a position to succeed by their coaches and lately Rivera has been letting them down. His decision to punt on fourth and three to end the first drive against Green Bay set exactly the wrong tone just a week after he inspired the Panthers by getting back to his Riverboat Ron ways. Rivera has also been inconsistent about using analytics and his 3-4 defensive scheme simply isn’t working when it comes to stopping the run. Nobody has more to prove over these last seven games than Rivera.
