The Carolina Panthers are focusing on their run game as a key part of their offensive strategy, but early deficits in games have limited their ability to stick with that approach. The team built its offensive line with the intention of being a run-first offense, extending running back Chuba Hubbard and adding Rico Dowdle in the offseason, both of whom have previously rushed for over 1,000 yards.
However, falling behind early in each of the first two games has forced them to change plans. In Week 1, the Panthers were down 20-3 at halftime. Against the Cardinals in Week 2, they faced a 10-0 deficit after two drives and trailed 27-3 in the third quarter.
“I really think it’s about how many possessions you have and what the score is, and that always starts to make decisions for the mode that we need to be in offensively,” said head coach Dave Canales after Monday’s loss to Arizona left the Panthers at 0-2. “For the last two weeks, we’ve made mistakes early in games on both sides of the ball and put us in situations where we’re going into the half with a pretty good deficit, and I’m in a different mode at that point.
“That affects the run game, that affects the balance that we want, it affects the mix of play actions, screens, runs, different attacks, different approaches that we can have offensively.”
In their season opener against Jacksonville, Carolina ran on about 41 percent of plays (25 out of 61). That figure dropped to just 25 percent (19 rushes out of 77 plays) against Arizona due to falling behind early.
“Getting back on schedule, playing good football will allow us to have that balanced football that we want to play,” Canales said.
Despite these setbacks, players remain committed to running. “We’re a run team,” said offensive lineman Damien Lewis. “Just some stuff we just got to clean up, up front, and get it together.”
Hubbard is averaging 3.7 yards per carry through two games on 26 carries—10 more than he had at this stage last year when he was splitting time more evenly with Miles Sanders. Dowdle’s involvement increased from three carries in Week 1 to six carries in Week 2.
“We work good with each other, so whether it doesn’t matter who goes out, we’re just going to give it our all,” Hubbard said.
While Hubbard also contributed five receptions for 39 yards and a touchdown against Arizona last week, he acknowledged there is room for improvement if they want more opportunities on the ground. “Obviously, we can’t shoot ourselves in the foot,” he said. “We’ve got to put ourselves in a good position so we can run the ball. If not…we’re going to be in pass downs…But just starting off playing clean football and take care of the ball is most important thing for us so and that means all of us doing our job.”
The challenge grows as starting offensive linemen Austin Corbett and Robert Hunt are headed for injured reserve due to injuries sustained last week. Carolina kept its offensive line group intact from last season as preparation for such situations; Cade Mays will start at center while Chandler Zavala moves into guard next week.
“That was a tough loss Rob and Austin,” Lewis admitted. “We got the next-man mentality right now. I’m confident in Cade and Chan…getting out there and doing the job. We coach up for that…so you know next man in line.”
Hubbard added: “I’ll be praying for them and hoping they can come back as soon as possible…Joe (Gilbert) and Goody (Harold Goodwin)…do a great job with everybody…so next guys…they’ll do a great job so I’m not worried.”
The Panthers’ next opponent is division rival Atlanta Falcons. In their first two games this season Atlanta has allowed an average of only 89.5 rushing yards per game but opposing teams are gaining an average of over four yards per carry on those attempts.
“I mean it’s Week 2,” Hubbard concluded. “Obviously you would like everything be perfect…but that’s not always case so I’m not too worried about it…We still got lot season left…and lot ball…so we’ll get it going.”
