The Carolina Panthers promoted Steve Wilks to defensive coordinator on January 13. Wilks arrived in 2012 to coach the secondary. When Sean McDermott accepted the head coaching position in Buffalo, Wilks was the logical replacement.

Under McDermott, the Panthers were a heavy zone coverage team.

NFL teams that play zone coverage the most frequently:



1. Panthers

2. Steelers

3. Bengals

4. Bucs

5. Dolphins — Mike Renner (@PFF_Mike) January 4, 2017

That’s why I found it interesting that James Bradberry said the Panthers would be playing more man coverage under Wilks in January.

Bradberry told us they will play more man to man with Wilks as the DC. — Chris McClain (@macwfnz) January 20, 2017

There are pros and cons to man coverage versus zone coverage. The primary difference in zone coverage is that the defenders are facing the quarterback. Each defender covers their assigned zone, but they’re also responsible for reading the quarterback’s eyes. The basic premise of zone coverage is to minimize the possible gain by an offense. The Panthers have possessed a strong pass rush over the years. The defense would be content in allowing short passes. However, if an offense attempted deep passing concepts then the pass rushers would make the quarterback pay or the safeties would make plays on the ball.

The cons of zone coverage is that there are always open areas to attack the coverage. Flood concepts and vertical stretches can defeat any zone coverage if executed properly.

Man coverage is simple man on man coverage. This allows defenders to match up against each receiver and have a better opportunity at the ball. The Chiefs played man coverage most frequently last season. It should come as no surprise that Kansas City lead the league in forcing turnovers too.

NFL teams that play man coverage the most frequently:



1. Chiefs

2. Titans

3. Cardinals

4. Broncos

5. 49ers — Mike Renner (@PFF_Mike) January 4, 2017

Despite only being on the field for two drives, the Panthers faced four drop backs by Tom Savage. They were in man coverage on three of those drop backs. The sample size is really small, so this could be a situation where match ups presented an opportunity or it could be a new trend.

The Texans are in 11 personnel (3 WRs, 1RB, 1TE) on the first play of the game. The Panthers are in base defense. Shaq Thompson is lined up against the slot receiver. Thomas Davis and Luke Kuechly are sugaring the A gap. Kurt Coleman transitions to cover the deep middle and Mike Adams is responsible for the tight end.

This an example of the effectiveness of man coverage. The Texans call a mirrored curl flat concept to both sides. Savage, initially, has time to find an open receiver, but the coverage holds up. The pressure eventually gets to him, which forces an inaccurate throw.

Shaq Thompson matched up against Braxton Miller in man coverage pic.twitter.com/wWH2otuInG — Billy Marshall (@BillyM_91) August 15, 2017

The next drop back has the Panthers in zone coverage. They are in cover 4. The corners are responsible for the deep sideline while the safeties cover the middle seams. Wilks was smart to call a zone coverage on this play because the down and distance is 3rd and 13. It makes sense to cover the deep areas of the field to prevent a first down.

Same double A gap principles as McD. Kuechly comes. TD goes. KK sacks pic.twitter.com/7cUXuxHedV — Billy Marshall (@BillyM_91) August 9, 2017

The third drop back has Shaq Thompson blitzing off the edge. The key here is to make sure each defender picks up a receiver. The corners are playing off man coverage. After Thompson blitzes, Coleman drives down to pick up the receiver in the slot.

Thompson corner blitz. Coleman matches the slot WR. pic.twitter.com/CWxSdRFziQ — Billy Marshall (@BillyM_91) August 15, 2017

Finally, the last drop back has the Panthers playing cover 1 robber. Mike Adams transitions into the deep middle safety. Kurt Coleman comes down as the robber. The corners and linebackers are in man coverage. Coleman, as the hole defender, drives down to read the drag route by DeAndre Hopkins. After the snap, Savage looks towards Hopkins, but Coleman is in excellent position to eliminate the option. As a result, Savage targets the running back, but Thomas Davis is also in great position.

Davis is on the field over Shaq in nickel. Munnerlyn in slot. Disguise the B gaps. Drop. Stunt between 97/99. Savage does whatever he does pic.twitter.com/qnVdyeS7Kq — Billy Marshall (@BillyM_91) August 9, 2017

The strengths of man defense can be seen in those three plays. Defenses can bring more pressure, which leads to inaccurate throws by the quarterback. The sample size is tiny, but the results were promising.

- Game highlights courtesy of NFL.com