Three Matchups That Matter
Panthers Interior vs. Redskins DTs
Matt Ioaniddis was one of the most disruptive pass-rushing interior linemen in the NFL last season and he’s picked up right where he left off, producing pressure on almost 20% of his pass-rushing snaps in 2018. While the Saints were able to pass at will, they were held to 3.1 yards per carry and rookie DT Da’Ron Payne was able to pick up a sack, four tackles, two quarterback hits and a forced fumble; if Greg Van Roten, Ryan Kalil and Trai Turner can open up holes on the ground and keep Cam Newton clean, it will make a huge difference for the Panthers – Cam Newton has a 114.2 passer rating in a clean pocket.
Jordan Reed vs. Eric Reid
While Reed won’t be matched up with Reid on every play, expect the Panthers safety to get a full complement of snaps and make an impact both in coverage and in the run game against Adrian Peterson. Jordan Reed, when healthy, is one of the top tight ends in the league; while he didn’t get many looks last week in the blowout loss to the Saints, expect Gruden to put some designed looks in for Reed to get involved early. How he matches up with whomever has to cover him, be it Reid, Shaq Thompson or Thomas Davis, he will make an impact on the game.
Mario Addison vs. Trent Williams
Trent Williams has been the best part of the Redskins offensive line and Mario Addison has 2.5 sacks and three tackles for a loss in his first four games – rock, meet a hard place. The pass rush was only able to register two hits and a sack against New York last week, but that was mainly due to the offensive scheme Mike Shula and the Giants employed; expect another heavy diet of RPOs this week with the mobile Alex Smith in the backfield.
“Teams have been running a lot of RPO plays to try and pull our secondary in so they can dump the ball right over,” said Addison. “They’re doing a good job at it [but] you’ve got to play the run first. We’re a gap-oriented defense so we play the run first – for me, it’s frustrating when the quarterback gets the ball out fast. I’ll be right in the middle of my rush and about to win and he’s throwing the ball.”
“You’ve just got to keep hitting it, hitting it, hitting it and be in position when he does throw the ball – so you can get the sack when you are in position. I’ve just to keep hammering, hammering, hammering.”
Two Bar Graphs That May Reveal The Game Plan
Carolina’s Rushing Offense
Graph via NFLGSIS
Washington’s Rush Defense
Graph via NFLGSIS
Notice anything that might match up? Perhaps ——- up the middle?
One Bold Prediction
Cam Newton helps the Panthers hold their title of NFL’s Top Rushing Team with over 60 yards – he’ll also get into the end zone.
Twice.
