PJ Walker remains the starter. Here’s what else to expect as Panthers face Falcons
Panthers coach Steve Wilks, offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo and wide receiver DJ Moore disagree on which PJ Walker throw was best in Carolina’s 21-3 victory over the Buccaneers.
“Probably the scramble on the sideline to the left because he was rolling out to his left,” Moore said. “He had to throw across his body, so that was probably the best. That was impressive.”
The candidates?
His 20-yard touchdown throw to Moore, McAdoo’s favorite, was topped two quarters later by an equally difficult 21-yard touchdown pass to tight end Tommy Tremble. That was Wilks’ favorite.
Before that, he also hit Moore on the left sideline on a pass that later garnered national attention. In the second quarter, Walker beat the Bucs’ Cover 2 defense by dropping a flawless ball over the cornerback and in front of the high safety. Terrace Marshall completed the catch despite taking a punishing hit.
Pro Football Focus rated Walker its highest quarterback of Week 7. His 94.9 grade was higher than the Bengals’ Joe Burrow and the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes.
Disagreeing on which throw is your quarterback’s best is a good one-week problem to have for an offense that still sits near the bottom of the league in most throwing and scoring metrics. Carolina ran 50 plays against Tampa Bay, three plays fewer than its league-low 53 plays-per-game average.
Walker’s prolific game also set the stage for an interesting follow-up: Since the Buccaneers lost to Baltimore on Thursday night, the winner of the Panthers-Falcons on Sunday game ascends to first place in the NFC South.
Riding high
Carolina dominated Tampa Bay and Tom Brady last week. The Panthers averaged 2.1 points per drive while the Bucs averaged just 0.27 over their 11 series. The game was not close. Brady converted 2 of 12 third downs and went 1 for 3 on fourth down.
The tape routinely showed Panthers defensive backs CJ Henderson, Donte Jackson, Keith Taylor, Myles Hartsfield and Xavier Woods mirroring Buccaneers receiving routes.
While the Panthers’ defense suffocated Tampa Bay, its rushing attack ran all over the Buccaneers’ defense. Running back D’Onta Foreman led all rushers with 118 yards. The team totaled 173 rushing yards on 27 carries.
Walker will make his third consecutive start Sunday, facing a Falcons defense that ranks last in DVOA, according to Football Outsides.
Running the ball
Running back Chuba Hubbard will not play. He is battling an ankle sprain suffered against the Bucs. Foreman will start and handle the bulk of the carries.
Expect rookie Raheem Blackshear to handle passing downs. Wilks said practice-squad running back Spencer Brown took some first-team reps this week and could play, as well. Blackshear will be utilized on the perimeter in both the run and pass game. Then, Brown may spell Foreman.
The Panthers will continue running the ball, and Sunday’s game could be a short one. Atlanta runs often on first and second down — only the Giants and Bears gain a higher percentage of their offense on the ground than Atlanta. The Falcons are fourth in the NFL in rush attempts per game (33) and 31st in pass attempts (21.4).
Tight defense
Defensive coordinator Al Holcomb should challenge Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota to throw. Last week in a blowout loss to the Bengals, Mariota threw the ball only 14 times. Atlanta relies on play-action to pass. Holcomb could play more man defense this week, which would allow Panthers linebackers and safeties to blitz if the Falcons’ running backs and tight ends stay in to block.
The Falcons feature two blue-chip pass catchers in receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts. But neither get the ball much. London leads the Falcons with 26 catches and 315 yards. He had more yards in the first two games than in the last five combined. Pitts is third on the team with 16 catches for 178 yards. He’s had more than three catches in a game only once this year.
Carolina should be able to handle the Falcons’ passing attack. Stopping the run is a must.
Pick on the Falcons’ ‘D’
Offensively, Walker and Moore should be able to take advantage of a depleted Falcons’ secondary. Atlanta will be without starting safety Jaylinn Hawkins (concussion) and cornerbacks A.J. Terrell (hamstring) and Casey Hayward.
Cornerbacks Darren Hall and Cornell Armstrong will start for Terrell and Hayward. They are replacement-level talents who allowed Joe Burrow to throw for 400-plus yards last week. Both Ja’Marr Chase and Tyler Boyd had more than 125 receiving yards last week against Atlanta.
The Panthers have an opportunity to prove both to themselves and the rest of the league that they are playoff contenders. Momentum is on Carolina’s side. On Thursday, backup quarterback Baker Mayfield said Wilks has the team “playing with its hair on fire and believing in itself.”
This story was originally published October 29, 2022 at 3:45 PM.
