North Charlotte Today

Mike Jackson, a seasoned cornerback for the Panthers, is preparing to face an unusual challenge in his NFL career: playing against a left-handed quarterback. This week, the Panthers will meet rookie Michael Penix Jr., one of only two active left-handed quarterbacks in the league. The other is Miami Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa.

"I've never played a left-handed quarterback," Jackson remarked ahead of the game.

Defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero also reflected on this rarity, recalling that he had previously faced Tagovailoa last season. Despite its infrequency, facing a left-handed quarterback doesn't significantly alter defensive strategies or assignments. Corner Jaycee Horn explained, "I mean, the ball comes out the hand a little different, but as a corner, you got the same job just covering and breaking the ball over or intercepting it."

While Horn acknowledges minor differences in play dynamics due to the quarterback's handedness, head coach Dave Canales elaborated on these nuances from his experience as a receiver. He described how catching from a left-handed thrower feels different due to the spin of the ball hitting another hand unexpectedly.

"It's just regular football," Jackson said about adapting to these changes. However, progressions can differ slightly with primary reads potentially being out to one side based on field position and hash marks.

Penix has shown mixed results so far this season with 463 yards and one touchdown across four games. According to Next Gen Stats, he faces pressure on 30.1 percent of his dropbacks—a factor that might influence Sunday's matchup outcome.

Panthers pass rusher D.J. Wonnum noted that unlike usual scenarios where he's unseen by right-handed quarterbacks due to their blindside orientation towards him—this time around—the opposing QB will have direct sightlines onto him which necessitates more strategic rushes rather than wild ones given Penix’s visibility towards his actions.

Despite changes at quarterback for Atlanta Falcons post-Kirk Cousins era—who favored play-action setups—the offensive structure remains similar; hence understanding tendencies such as directional biases becomes crucial when planning defenses against such formations especially concerning line pressures exerted during these plays.

For defenders accustomed mostly seeing right-handers throughout careers like those within Panther ranks facing something novel presents intriguing opportunities amidst routine end-of-season matchups thus providing fresh competitive challenges even amid familiar contexts according team sentiments voiced by figures like Jackson himself: "I feel like it's going be kind fun take this challenge."