The Carolina Panthers’ rush defense is, without a doubt, the worst in the entire NFL right now. They are the only team in the league bleeding over 150 rushing yards per game, clocking in at an abysmal 153.2. If that wasn’t bad enough, they are also the *only* squad giving up more than five yards per carry, allowing a staggering 5.2 yards every single time an opponent runs the ball. That’s just flat-out unacceptable, and it’s putting them in a world of hurt.
Buccaneers Ran Wild, Panthers Left Scrambling
You want to talk about getting run over? Look no further than Sunday’s brutal 43-13 loss to the Buccaneers. The Bucs’ running backs absolutely shredded the Panthers’ defensive front. Bucky Irving torched them for 106 yards on 24 carries, Kenny Gainwell added 88 yards on 14 attempts, and Sean Tucker punched in 52 yards on just seven carries. Think about that for a second: Tampa Bay’s quarterback Baker Mayfield only threw for a measly 64 yards, yet they still steamrolled the Panthers because their ground game was unstoppable. The Bucs started the game with a monstrous 14-play, 70-yard touchdown drive, and Panthers linebacker Bobby Okereke admitted that drive set the tone for the entire game. Talk about a gut punch to start things off.
“Stop the Bleeding” Before It’s Too Late
Bobby Okereke didn’t mince words after that shellacking, and honestly, good for him. He said, “Obviously they found something today, and it’s a copycat league, so we got to stop the bleeding because teams are going to watch this film and try to exploit any weaknesses in our defense.” He’s not wrong. Every coaching staff in the league is going to break down that tape, see how Tampa Bay carved them up, and try to do the exact same thing. This isn’t just about one bad game for the Panthers; it’s a flashing red light for their entire season. They’ve shown a massive weakness, and now every opponent knows exactly how to attack it.
The Panthers need to fix this rush defense. And they need to fix it now. Because if they don’t, teams will keep watching that film, keep finding those weaknesses, and keep running all over them.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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