Pats Pulpit
The New England Patriots will stay at Gillette Stadium in Week 4 in an attempt to earn the first home win of the Mike Vrabel era and improve to 2-2 on the season. Standing in their way is a team also entering the game with a 1-2 record, the Carolina Panthers.
Let’s get to meet them.
The one-win Panthers have a middle-of-the-road record. A look at the numbers shows that they are also a middle-of-the-road team from a statistical perspective, but one that has played some good football in certain areas.
Record: 1-2 (2nd NFC South)
Scoring differential: +9 (15th)
Turnover differential: -1 (20th)
Offense: 20.7 points/game (19th), 277.0 yards/game (24th), 6 giveaways (t-29th), -0.009 EPA/dropback (24th), -0.080 EPA/run (15th)
Defense: 17.7 points/game (8th), 334.3 yards/game (21st), 5 takeaways (t-4th), -0.105 EPA/dropback (4th), 0.007 EPA/run (24th)
Even though the Panthers just hung 30 points on the Atlanta Falcons, their offense has been nothing special so far (in part because seven of those points were provided by the defense). The unit is in the red in expected points added both in the passing and the running game, and has been among the NFL’s worst when it comes to ball security: six turnovers — three interceptions plus three fumbles — are tied for second-most in the league with Dallas and New England.
The defense, on the other hand, has been quite opportunistic and almost played a “bend but don’t break” style the Patriots employed for years. While Carolina has given up plenty of yards, the team ranks in the top 10 in takeaways, EPA per dropback and, most importantly, points.
For a second straight year under head coach Dave Canales, the Panthers opened with a 1-2 record. They stumbled right out of the gate, suffering lopsided defeats at the hands of Jacksonville and Arizona (the second game was still a 12-point affair inside the two-minute warning).
Week 1: 26-10 loss at Jacksonville Jaguars (0-1)
Week 2: 27-22 loss at Arizona Cardinals (0-2)
Week 3: 30-0 win vs. Atlanta Falcons (1-2)
After their issues early on, the Panthers bounced back big-time versus the Falcons. Carried by a defense that registered three takeaways including one pick-six, the team managed to dominate Atlanta from start to finish. Sure, the Falcons are not necessarily the definition of a quality opponent, but the W was still one that could possibly build some momentum for Carolina moving forward.
(Note: Roster up-to-date as of Sept. 24, 5 a.m. ET; *indicates projected starter)
Quarterback (2): Bryce Young* (9), Andy Dalton (14)
Running back (3): Chuba Hubbard* (30), Rico Dowdle (5), Trevor Etienne (23 | PR/KR)
Wide receiver (7): Tetairoa McMillan* (4), Hunter Renfrow* (13), Xavier Legette* (17), David Moore (83), Brycen Tremayne (87), Jimmy Horn Jr. (15), Dalevon Campbell (81)
Tight end (4): Ja’Tavion Sanders (0), Tommy Tremble* (82), Mitchell Evans (84), James Mitchell (85)
Offensive tackle (4): Ikem Ekwonu* (79 | LT), Tylor Moton* (72 | RT),...
