Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams combine to form an epic duo in the Panthers’ backfield, but in this game Stewart in particular carried the load against the Cardinals’ stout run defense. The Cardinals’ run defense was ranked 7th overall according to DVOA rankings, so this was certainly a tough test for the Panthers’ offensive line. This post will breakdown Stewart’s use of vision and hard cutting ability to make decisive moves in the backfield.

Stats

Stewart – 24 carries, 123 yards (5.1 ypc), 1 TD, 1 reception on 1 target for -3 yards

Play 4

Situation: 1st and 10 at ARI 13

Description: Q1 – (5:29) (No Huddle, Shotgun) J.Stewart right tackle for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-J.Jansen, Holder-B.Nortman.



Running Play: Shotgun Read-option Right End Pull

http://i.imgur.com/4bIQw8I.png

Newton reads the right edge rusher DE98 Rucker and decides to hand the ball to Stewart due to the presence of the defender. The backside LG68 Norwell pulls across the formation to trap block Rucker.

http://i.imgur.com/kSkfqVU.png

Stewart takes the ball outside and sees LB94 Acho playing contain in the flat so he cuts upfield.

http://i.imgur.com/1wqqmNn.png

Stewart makes a great juke inside to avoid being tackled and continues to progress outside to set up his spin move. Stewart then puts his foot in the dirt and spins around TE88 Olsen. Olsen does a good job of blocking LB50 Foote out of the play.

http://i.imgur.com/9TVcB6g.png

Once Stewart gets around Olsen all he has to do is beat FS26 Johnson to the endzone with another quick spin move for the score.

http://i.imgur.com/aSUS15D.png

Great play by Stewart and Olsen. Olsen does a great job of finishing his block on Foote, while Stewart does a fantastic job of reading the edge defender and spinning up the field.

Play 5

Situation: 1st and 5 at CAR 30

Description: Q2 – (14:51) (Shotgun) J.Stewart left end to CAR 40 for 10 yards (A.Okafor).



Running Play: Offset-I Power Toss Sweep

http://i.imgur.com/m6mnYuV.png

Stewart takes the snap and reads his downfield blocks on the left edge. LG66 Silatolu pulls playside to lead block, while LT77 Bell fold blocks sealing the left edge of the defensive line. C67 Kalil shoots through the gap to downfield block LB94 Acho.

http://i.imgur.com/LKFFytJ.png

Overall, the play design and the downfield blocking takes advantage of the aggressive defensive line.

Play 6

Situation: 1st and 10 at CAR 40

Description: Q2 – (14:21) (No Huddle, Shotgun) J.Stewart right tackle to ARZ 42 for 18 yards (R.Johnson).



Running Play: Shotgun Triple Read-Option Sweep Right

http://i.imgur.com/lgo7jtA.png

Newton reads the left edge to see if it is a favorable matchup. He’s looking for zero or one man on the left edge, but he sees that the Cardinals have two so he hands the ball off to Stewart instead.

http://i.imgur.com/2ZLTgZJ.png

Stewart runs parallel to the line of scrimmage and follows his lineman up the holes that they have created for a large gain.

http://i.imgur.com/Dc53Ml0.png

The triple read-option is typically used in college, but with Newton’s athleticism this is a good play call. RG70 Turner pulls play-side and lead blocks up the hole in front of Stewart. The credit should go to the offensive line here dominating the line of scrimmage.

Play 7

Situation: 2nd and 3 at CAR 24

Description: Q2 – (9:39) (No Huddle) J.Stewart left guard to CAR 28 for 4 yards (D.Williams).



Running Play: Offset-I Fake End Around Counter Power

http://i.imgur.com/eFWDJVi.png

Newton takes the snap and fakes the handoff to the wide receiver running the end around.

http://i.imgur.com/C0k61k3.png

Stewart steps right and then cuts back left running the counter, while RG70 Turner pulls from the backside to lead block. TE84 Dickson from the backfield comes across the formation to lead block as well.

http://i.imgur.com/i5qMSpP.png

Stewart does a great job of setting up his blocks on this play using his patience. If Stewart cut any bit earlier he would have been tackled by the defender that Dickson ends up blocking out of the play. This play is very similar to Play 17 and Play 19 and is also featured in NFLBreakdown’s “Le’Veon Bell and the Counter Trap” article.

Play 17



Play 19



Here is Stewart’s longest run of the game in Play 20.

Play 20

Situation: 1st and 10 at CAR 5

Description: Q4 – (11:48) J.Stewart left guard to CAR 40 for 35 yards (T.Jefferson).



Running Play: Singleback Ace Dive

http://i.imgur.com/pvjom5Y.png

Stewart takes the handoff and reads the interior lineman, but the Cardinals defensive line and inside linebackers have closed all holes, so he bounces outside.

http://i.imgur.com/RRmUkaz.png

After Stewart gets to the left edge of the offensive line, he sees FS26 Johnson come up in run support, but Johnson overcommits to the inside. Stewart makes him miss with a power juke outside.

http://i.imgur.com/CkknTtD.png

CB21 Peterson’s presence seals the edge to the sideline forcing Stewart back up the middle of the field.

http://i.imgur.com/Oa6G3Bs.png

Stewart explodes through the hole, but not before slowing down and allowing TE88 Olsen to set up his downfield block.

http://i.imgur.com/ukH2HFc.png

Stewart showed in this play his vision to choose the correct hole, his hard cutting ability and his patience to set up the blocks downfield. All traits of a solid NFL runningback. Overall, Stewart is a great fit for the offense featuring toss sweeps, power counters and triple read-option runs combined with misdirection and Cam Newton’s athleticism. Next week the Panthers face the Seahawks in their divisional match of the 2014 playoffs. This will also be a tough test, but if the Panthers blocking is anything like it was against the Cardinal’s defensive line, they should be able to move the chains effectively.