With a 44-16 victory over the Redskins, the Kuechly-led Panthers’ defense limited the Redskins to 14 yards on 12 rushing attempts. In this breakdown, we will take a look at how the Carolina Panthers’ front seven achieved such a feat as they went on to win the game and go 10-0 for the season.
The Redskins ran the ball twice with Alfred Morris on their first drive before punting. The first run was off of the left guard, while the second was up the middle. These runs together combined for 0 net yards. Out of these two plays we’ll take a closer look at the run up the middle which resulted in the 2 yard gain.
Play 1
Situation: 1st and 10 at WSH 21
Description: (12:06 - 1st) A.Morris up the middle to WAS 23 for 2 yards (L.Kuechly)
- After the handoff from singleback formation, running back #46 Alfred Morris reads the interior blocks to see if a seam is present. There is none. He then looks to his right (our left on the GFY), for the hole between the tight end and the right tackle.
- Right tackle Morgan Moses angle blocks defensive tackle #98 Star Lotulelei inside to open a crease in the C-gap.
- The Redskins pre-snap motion their most ferocious blocker, 5’8″ 185 lb Jamison Crowder inside to combo block strong safety #41 Roman Harper along with tight end #89 Derek Carrier. This leaves DE94 Kony Ealy free to play the outside lane forcing Morris to the interior.
- LB#59 Luke Kuechly starts by reading the weakside B-gap, and then shakes a horrible attempt of a block by left guard #61 Spencer Long after he released from his combo block with the center on DT99 Kawann Short. Kuechly drags Morris down to the ground for the short gain on the play.
- Alfred Morris ended up leaving the game because he reinjured his ribs on his second run.
Play 2
Situation: 1st and 10 at WSH 46
Description: (9:14 - 1st) M.Jones left guard to WAS 44 for -2 yards (J.Allen)
- Before beginning this play, I want you to pay close attention to the alignment of the Redskins blockers: Tight end #89 Derek Carrier lines up as the right tackle, while right tackle #76 Morgan Moses is the left tackle. This makes All-Pro left tackle #71 Trent Williams the tight end.
- The Panthers bring strong safety #41 Roman Harper into the box preparing for a run play. They guess correctly.
- After the snap, rookie right guard #75 Brandon Scherff pulls across the formation to lead block for his running back.
- #76 Morgan Moses combo blocks DT98 Star Lotulelei while Trent Williams and DT99 Kawann Short stalemate at the line of scrimmage.
- Key: DT98 Star Lotulelei delivers a fierce punch into RG61 Spencer Long’s chestplate pushing him straight back into Brandon Scherff’s path. This causes a collision on the left side of the lien of scrimmage between Scherff and Long. This is where the play is won for the Panthers as Matt Jones can’t hug the offensive line on his run to escape Jared Allen angling inside for the easiest tackle for loss in his career.
Play 3
Situation: 2nd and 10 at WSH 20
Description: (8:14 - 2nd) M.Jones left end to WAS 22 for 2 yards (L.Kuechly). FUMBLES (L.Kuechly), RECOVERED by CAR-T.Davis at WAS 24. T.Davis to WAS 24 for no gain (B.Scherff)
- Bill Callahan, Redskins’ offensive line coach, calls a power toss to the left featuring Trent Williams and Spencer Long lead blocking for Matt Jones.
- The Redskins pre-snap motion tight end #86 Jordan Reed across the formation to the strongside. This shifts Kuechly’s and Davis’ duties to cover their gaps properly.
- After the snap, center #67 Josh LeRibeus reach blocks the nose tackle while Reed delivers an excellent shove/angle block on Jared Allen who sprints into the backfield. Both very promising signs for the Redskins.
- Right guard #75 Brandon Scherff sprints to block Kuechly as he works his way outside to follow the running back. Scherff shoves him, but Kuechly is able to maintain his balance and make a diving tackle at Matt Jones. The hit comes as Jones hurdles over Trent Williams who just destroyed Panthers’ cornerback #25 Bene’ Benwikere on the perimeter forcing the fumble. This is Matt Jones’ fourth fumble on the season.
The Redskins longest run of the game went for six yards when there was only 4:49 left in the game while the Panthers were already up 44-14.
The Kuechly-led Panthers’ front seven controlled the line of scrimmage all game. The Panthers’ secondary only had one major blemish and that was this long touchdown pass to DeSean Jackson for 59 yards which occurred immediately after Play 2 (above).
In this play, DeSean Jackson burns cornerback #42 Colin Jones on a seam route from the middle of the shotgun trips right formation. Jackson plants outside and completely turns Jones around in man coverage, while the single high safety #20 Kurt Coleman can’t catch up to the Redskins’ wide receiver in time.
Outside of this pass, the Redskins did not do much on offense. Their quick passing game, that was used exclusively versus the Saints, was sniffed out and stopped just like their running game.
Mistakes destroyed the Redskins. They fumbled the ball five times (four were lost) giving the Panthers’ great field position. This allowed Cam Newton to throw five touchown passes for a total of 27 yards with only about 15 of those yards in the air. Not only were turnovers an issue, though. The Redskins committed five atrocious neutral zone infractions due to Newton’s excellent use of the hard count. It was an ole fashioned slaughter right from the kickoff:
The Panthers are now 10-0 and face a Cowboys’ team that just got quarterback Tony Romo back from injury. Even though the Redskins suffered two humiliating defeats in the past three weeks, they can still take first place with a win over the New York Giants at home with a 5-6 record.
Follow Samuel Gold on Twitter: @SamuelRGold.
