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The Carolina Panthers don't rank in the top half of the NFL's 32 teams in sacks or giveaway-takeaway ratio, two statistical categories that can be strong indicators of a successful defense.
Yet the Panthers' defense is arguably the stingiest in the league. Carolina (7-2) ranks second behind the undefeated Tennessee Titans (9-0) in fewest points allowed (133) and the Panthers have allowed fewer touchdowns than any other defense.
Of the 14 touchdowns scored against Carolina, two came on blocked punts and another on a fumble return by the opposing defense. That leaves 11 touchdowns allowed by the defense, one less than Baltimore and Pittsburgh, and two fewer than Tennessee and Tampa Bay.
Carolina's defense is much-improved over last year, when it gave up 18 touchdowns in the first nine games and 35 for the season.
If the Panthers can continue to build on their play, they have a chance to be a special unit.
“We've been talking about that since Day 1,” said strong safety Chris Harris. “We want to be known as a very tough defense. We want to be the No.1 defense in the league. That's still going to be our goal as we make this push toward the playoffs, and hopefully toward the Super Bowl.”
How has the defense been so successful without an abundance of sacks or turnovers? Here are five factors:
Speed
The Panthers probably have one of the 10 fastest defenses in the NFL.
It's not that all their players are blazing fast, but each position group – defensive line, linebackers and defensive backs – has multiple players among the fastest in the league at those spots.
Right defensive end Julius Peppers runs in the 4.7- to 4.8-second range in the 40-yard dash, which is extraordinary for a player his size (6-foot-7, 283 pounds). He is one of the league's elite athletes and is capable of dominating sideline-to-sideline.
Left end Tyler Brayton is also very athletic and plays with what coaches call a “high motor,” meaning he plays with lots of energy and hustle.
Backup ends Charles Johnson and Hilee Taylor add excellent speed off the edge in pass rush situations.
Outside linebacker Thomas Davis is a former college safety who ran around 4.6 coming out of college. He might not be quite as fast as former Panthers linebacker Mark Fields, but he's close.
Middle linebacker Jon Beason runs between 4.6 and 4.7 in the 40, but seems to play even faster than that.
In the secondary, the primary speed merchants are rookie free safety Charles Godfrey and No.3 cornerback Richard Marshall. Both have been clocked below 4.4.
Godfrey, a third-round draft pick from Iowa, has given the Panthers a dramatic increase in speed at free safety compared to recent years when an aging Mike Minter and journeyman Deke Cooper played the position.
Starting corners Chris Gamble and Ken Lucas run well, too, though neither would be considered a flyer. Both are faster than the cornerbacks from the Panthers' 2003 Super Bowl team, Terry Cousin and Reggie Howard.
“We've got some guys on this defense who can move,” said Harris. “Instead of giving up an 80-yard touchdown, we can cut it to 50 (yards) because we've got that kind of speed to go and catch guys.”
Defensive coordinator Mike Trgovac said this is probably the fastest defense the Panthers have had in the John Fox coaching era (since 2002), but he noted that former players Fields, Dan Morgan (linebacker) and Deon Grant (safety) were plenty swift, too.
“It's kind of designed that way,” said Trgovac. “When we look at players, we like guys who can run. That's what you're always striving to do, increase your team speed.”
Simplification
Since training camp, Panthers defensive players have talked about how the scheme the coaches ask them to run is simpler and more fun this year.
Outside linebacker Na'il Diggs said the coaches accomplished that by shortening the terminology for play calls.
“Let's say we used to call it ‘3 M box triple blitz 2 double Sally,'” he said. “That's a lot to put together. Now, we call it ‘3 M box left.' Believe it or not, that makes a big difference. It's simpler to say it, call it, and run it. You don't have to think so much.”
Players say they feel more unleashed this season, which has resulted in them playing more assertively.
“It's like (the way) your car runs,” said Diggs. “You get in your car every day and (you might not) know how it all works. You don't even really think about it when you start the car. But if you get a mechanic, he can explain everything that's going on from the time you turn your ignition on to the time you turn it off.
“Well, we were trying to be mechanics before. But now, all we've got to have is a key and when we turn the key on, the car runs.”
Diggs said the Panthers also have avoided using exotic defensive strategies.
“We haven't needed to get fancy because we're good at basic stuff,” he said. “We're sticking with our bread and butter.”
Modification
Fox, Trgovac and the defensive coaching staff made several position changes in the offseason, and so far all have worked well.
Peppers switched from left end, which he played his six years in the NFL, to right end, which he prefers and which he played in college at North Carolina.
Davis and Diggs swapped outside linebacker positions, allowing Davis to play the weakside, away from the opposing tight end. Davis is more free to use his speed to chase down plays and already has 78 tackles, only 18 shy of his single-season career high, with seven games remaining.
Defensive tackle Maake Kemoeatu is playing more of a straight nose tackle position, in between the guards, instead of being responsible for a wider area in between the tackles. That's helped him tie up blockers better and shoot through gaps in the line, freeing up the linebackers to make tackles.
Swagger
The Panthers believe they're good. They believe they can stop any opponent. Their confidence isn't based on arrogance, but has grown as one success has built upon another.
They held the league's No.2 running team (Atlanta) to nine points and 118 yards rushing, 39 yards below its average. They limited the No.1 passing team (New Orleans) to seven points and 231 yards passing, 94 below its average.
They beat Kansas City 34-0 for the third shutout in team history. They're starting and finishing well, allowing an average of three points in the first period and 2.7 in the fourth.
The Panthers have allowed one fourth-quarter touchdown in the past six games.
Diggs said the swagger was born in the preseason during a 47-3 exhibition win against the Washington Redskins.
“I really believe that's where we kind of developed ourselves,” he said. “We just knew we weren't going to give anything up. We were hustling every play, every minute of the game, even when the second- and third-string got in there.
“At the end of the game, I think that kind of sealed it and everybody was like, ‘That's what we're capable of.'”
Trust
The defensive players say they have a unique chemistry and cohesion that has been lacking at times in the past.
They expect a lot from each other, and they hold each other accountable.
A lot of teams talk about it, but these Panthers insist they really do it.
It would be impossible if they didn't believe in each other, if they questioned whether everyone was sold on a team concept.
“Of all the plays we make and all the swagger we have, trust is really the overwhelming factor in all of it because it keeps us on the same page,” said Diggs.
Where there is now harmony, there used to be division.
“We've had some bad apples before and luckily we (were) able to clear those bad apples out,” said Diggs. “These players may not be as talented as the bad apples, or as big or whatever, but they're team players. They're guys we can believe in, guys the coaches can believe in.”
The primary problem player, according to multiple sources, was defensive tackle Kris Jenkins. He devolved from an all-pro to a malcontent the past few years and was traded in the offseason to the New York Jets, where he is once again flourishing.
“I'm not going to sit here and say any names at all,” Diggs said when asked if he was referring to Jenkins. “But I think there are some players who fit in here as a Carolina Panther and some who didn't. The players who didn't are good players. … (But) it was something that needed a little time to run its course and take care of itself.”
Damione Lewis took over for Jenkins, lining up next to Peppers, and has not only played well, but is highly popular with teammates.
Diggs said the increased trust factor on defense has helped Peppers return to form. After struggling last season, Peppers is once again dominating. He has a team-high seven sacks and leads the NFL with four forced fumbles.
“It's allowing him to play lights out,” Diggs said, “knowing he can go in and do a certain move and not have to worry about, ‘Oh, I don't know this guy is going to have my back.'
“That's what being a good defense is all about. It's not so much having the most talent. … It's about having those guys you can count on.”
