A sign of things to come?
After giving up 143 rushing yards to Travis Etienne Jr. alone in Week 1, the Carolina Panthers had allowed 200+ total rushing yards in seven straight games.
That run, which started in Week 13 of last season, was broken last week after only allowing 82 total rushing yards against the Arizona Cardinals.
It was an impressive display by Carolina’s rushing defense under the circumstances and a well-needed boost in confidence. But this Sunday presented another challenge.
Bijan bottled up
Since entering the league as a rookie in 2023, Bijan Robinson out of Texas has had more 100+ rushing yard games than any other player in the league.
The eighth overall pick by the Atlanta Falcons has been a massive hit in the league with his silky agility, blistering speed and powerful running.
In the Week 2 game before coming to Carolina, Robinson had 143 yards on the road against the Minnesota Vikings.
Even the number two running back causes teams problems. Tyler Allgeier ran for 76 yards and a touchdown in that game.
Over the past few seasons, they have played together, Robinson and Allgeier have proven to be one of the best running back pairs in the league, if not the best.
It was daunting to think what they could do against Carolina’s defense, despite how well they contained James Conner and Kyler Murray the week before.
While Atlanta did manage some success on the ground, Carolina was able to successfully keep the rushing yards to under 200 for back-to-back games. Robinson led the team with 72 yards with Allgeier only managing four.
It was a combined 131 yards on the ground for Atlanta. Still, something for Carolina to be incredibly proud of.
Shutout in Charlotte
A number to be prouder of than that is the ZERO points allowed!
Yes, Carolina ran riot on their divisional rivals with a 30-0 victory in the season home opener at Bank of America Stadium. This number probably doing more for the team than the rushing yards allowed due to an unwanted record they set last season.
In 2024, the Carolina Panthers allowed 534 total points. Thus, breaking the record by one, after the Baltimore Colts’ 533 points allowed in 1981.
With 9:23 on the clock in the third quarter in Arizona, Conner scored that two-yard touchdown for the Cardinals. Those where the last point Carolina have allowed; making it five full quarters, nine minutes and 23 seconds since Carolina have allowed a single point. Since then, they have outscored their opponent by 49-0.
Their last shutout victory was Week 11 in 2020, beating the Detroit Lions 20-0 at home.
The last time Carolina won by 30+ points in the regular season was in Week 14 of 2015 – 10 years ago – in the very same fixture with a very similar outcome, beating the Atlanta Falcons 38-0 at home.
They also beat the Cardinals by 34 points – 49-15 – in the NFC Conference Championship game in that 2015 season en route to the Super Bowl.
These last two weeks are something serious to build on if the Panthers want to get back on track this season.
After an underwhelming Week 1 and matching disappointment through three quarters in Week 2, the performances since then have been what Panthers fans hoped for this season and more!
There is a belief the team can show this ability on a more consistent basis and become serious competitors during the season with a positive outcome by the end.
