Patriots - Panthers Key Matchups, Who Has the Razor's Edge?

[PatsFans.com Article]

Patriots - Panthers Key Matchups, Who Has the Razor's Edge?

Steve Balestrieri

If Brady gets the time to throw, then the Patriots will find room to work. Look for Amendola and Hogan to get a lot of looks in this one

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[mosi]

I want to see more of James White. On first down, on second down, on third down and if required on fourth down. I have more faith in him than any other RB.

 

[Uptown]

-Something to consider (SI article):

4. The Patriots like linebackers immediately up on the line of scrimmage in run defense. This aggression serves them well against zone running teams. But what about against the Panthers? Not only does Carolina employ a man-blocking scheme, but there are multiple options built into many of their runs, often leveraging Newton’s mobility. It’s an uncommon style of attack in pro football. The Patriots may have to tweak their run-stopping approach.

-Bleacher Report’s
NFL1000's Week 4 Weekend Preview:

Can Devin Funchess Fill the Void If Kelvin Benjamin Is Limited Against Patriots?

1. With tight end Greg Olsen on injured reserve with a broken foot and No. 1 wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin nursing a knee injury that may limit him this week against the New England Patriots, the Carolina Panthers will rely on third-year receiver Devin Funchess to shoulder the load in Week 4.
   
   Funchess has 990 career receiving yards and only nine touchdowns. However, he's locked into starter-level snaps and is seeing increasing targets in the Panthers offense. In Week 3, he saw 10 targets and reeled in four for 58 yards.
   
   Funchess' biggest weakness is his limited ability to beat man coverage. At 6'4" and 225 pounds, he doesn't have the necessary quickness or flexibility to get in and out of his breaks in time, and that allows defenders to stay close to him. In 2016, he created the fourth-fewest yards of separation per play in the NFL, according to Next Gen Stats.
   
   However, the Panthers have found ways to take advantage of his size and limit his ineffectiveness as a route-runner. Carolina has used him out of the slot on 25 passing attempts so far and has targeted him five times, according to Pro Football Focus. By playing him more in the slot, especially after the Olsen injury, Carolina has allowed Funchess to avoid traditional man coverages, and his size in the middle of the field makes him a nice target for quarterback Cam Newton.
   
   Luckily for Funchess, the Patriots are a zone-heavy team that will likely dare the Panthers to sustain long drives by throwing short to intermediate passes. That means he should get a lot of looks against a defense that is getting gashed through the air.
   
   However, don't look for Funchess to fill the traditional role as the team's X receiver that Benjamin usually occupies. Instead, expect him to do most of his damage inside as a pseudo tight end. It'll be a tough challenge for Funchess, but it's a good test for him and his development.

Patriots OL Must Keep Tom Brady Clean Against Blitz-Heavy Panthers

1. Under new defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, the Carolina Panthers have become one of the most blitz-heavy teams in the league, and they will put a Patriots line that struggled last week against the Houston Texans' dynamic pass rush to the test.
   
   Left tackle Nate Solder may be the biggest name on the Patriots offensive line, but he's been their worst starter up front this year. He's especially struggled in pass protection, where his biggest problem has been getting on his toes too much and lunging out of his stance. Most edge-rushers, especially ones with a multifaceted tool set such as Mario Addison's, can immediately counter this over-extension and breeze right by.
   
   While the Pats' interior is solid and right guard Shaq Mason is building off his strong finish from last year, it looks like the task of keeping Kawann Short, Star Lotulelei and blitzing backers Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis at bay all day is a tough test for any unit.
   
   Luckily, the Patriots have a perfect counter to this heavy attack: Tom Brady.
   
   While the book on beating Brady has always been to get pressure on him, the key is to get home with four, so there no weaknesses in your coverage shells for him to exploit. Brady is one of the best quarterbacks in the league at deciphering opponents' blitzes and targeting the soft spots on the back end. Against this young Panthers secondary, expect him to do just that.

Side Note: You Blitz Brady & you’re FINITO!

 

[Uptown]

 

[SlowGettingUp]

 

[Uptown]

 

[mosi]

I think this is a game where the D has to show up. If they make Cam Newton look like John Elway, I may pull my hair out.

The Carolina D is for real and they can get pressure against the Pats O-line.