The Carolina Panthers made the playoffs this season with a losing record but are primed to make some noise now that they are hitting on all cylinders. The key to the Panthers success is their defense, led by LB’s Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis, two all-around LB’s who can make plays in the passing game and running game. Kuechly, who is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, has actually played better this season by many peoples accounts. Davis, who has battled back from many injuries throughout his career, continues to make a big impact for the Panthers. In their opening round game against the Arizona Cardinals, the two LB’s led the defense in stifling the Cardinals offense for a victory. The two LB’s combined for 17 total tackles, 2 TFL’s, 1 INT and 2 huge impacts on the game. The stats alone are impressive but the play on tape is even more impressive, let’s take a look.

Play 1: 3rd & 8. -22. 14:16 1st.

Defensive Formation: Big Nickel

Coverage: Cover 3

Offensive Personnel: 11 Personnel

http://i.imgur.com/uE3j6tw.jpg

It’s 3rd and long and the Cardinals run a vertical combination to the field and their three WR side with a backside dig added in. The Panthers defense is in a Cover 3 concept out of their Big Nickel formation (3 safeties). In a Cover 3, the FS has the anything in the deep middle of the field while the two CB’s have the outside 1/3 on their respective sides. The two LB’s and the Nickel DB have the three underneath zones. Due to the Cardinals running a vertical-wheel concept from their twin WR’s, that forces the Nickel DB to carry the wheel up the sideline in order to eliminate the CB having to cover three different routes. On the backside, the SS is in a drop down “Robber” zone but follows the TE and begins to move to the middle of the field. His vacancy should leave an opening for the dig due to the CB playing an off-zone. Watch as Davis (#58) senses the dig and undercuts the route not allowing the QB to throw it. Once the QB decides to dump the ball to the RB, Davis and Kuechly both break quickly on the route and make the tackle at 6 yards forcing the Cardinals to punt, a great play on 3rd down.

Play 2: 1st & 10. -20. 5:21 1st.

Defensive Formation: Big Nickel

Coverage: Cover 0, Bracket Single WR

Offensive Personnel: 11 Personnel

http://i.imgur.com/g2ihM3r.jpg

On this play it appears that the Panthers are in a “bump-man” concept. Bump man means that the defensive player is in man-to-man with the offensive player but will not motion with the player, instead the man-to-man responsibilities just pass over to the next guy. The Panthers are also bracketing the single WR, meaning the FS and the CB are guarding the WR in man-to-man coverage. The Cardinals send their outside WR in a jet motion (and probably would have been better handing it off). From the backside of the formation, the Cardinals run “Hi-Lo” drags with their WR and TE, both routes covered up by the man-to-man defense. By time the QB decides to dump the ball of to the jet, it is too late. Look at the closing speed by Davis on this play, closing the gap on one of the fastest players in the league (John Brown) and pushing him out of bounds for a gain of only 2.

Play 3: 1st & 10. 30. 2:11 1st.

Defensive Formation: Big Nickel

Offensive Personnel: 21 Personnel

http://i.imgur.com/Bk3QMPa.jpg

The Panthers once again come out in a Big Nickel formation (4-2-5). It’s 1st and 10 for the Cardinals, after a Panthers turnover. The Panthers are showing a B-gap blitz forcing the Cardinals to adjust their protection to the left. On the snap, the Panthers bring the blitz from the LB (Davis) and the SS from the right side, while Kuechly drops off. The NT is aligned in a “2i” technique (inside shoulder of the Guard), on the snap he outside moves to the Guard, taking the Center with him and occupying the two players. This movement leaves the backside A gap open for the LB blitz. The FB is responsible for picking up the blitz but he must be quick to get across the blitzers face. Watch how fast Davis hits the hole and blows the play up, the FB stands no chance to get his head across and seal off the blitzing LB. A perfectly timed blitz run with great execution resulting in a loss of 2.

Play 4: 2nd & 12. 32. 1:34 1st.

Defensive Formation: Big Nickel

Coverage: 2-Man

Offensive Personnel: 11 Personnel

http://i.imgur.com/OQFM23T.jpg

The Panthers are in a 2-man defense (man-to-man underneath, safeties over the top). The Cardinals run an Out-Post combination on the right side, trying to beat the man-to-man coverage. To the field side, the Cardinals run a Curl-Dig combination with a shallow curl and a dig over the top in order to free up the dig route. The Panthers defensive line get pressure on the QB, not allowing the play to develop and forcing the ball to dumped off to the RB. Kuechly is in man-to-man coverage with the RB, watch as he closes on the RB while the ball is in the air. Closing the gap and making the tackle right as the ball gets there is Kuechly, a great play to limit the Cardinals to 2 yards after it looked like the RB was open.

Play 5: 1st & 10. 17. 4:54 2nd.

Defensive Formation: Big Nickel

Offensive Personnel: 11 Personnel

http://i.imgur.com/U7JLA9n.jpg

The Cardinals double team the 3 technique DT and out block the DE aligned in a 6 technique, the run should come right through the hole created by these blocks. The DE (#95) runs up the field creating an even bigger hole for the running game, while the 2 WR’s block the Nickel and SS. Although this isn’t a tackle for a loss, it is still a good play by Kuechly. As the Guard double the DT, he comes off to block Kuechly. Kuechly does a nice job scraping off of the DT’s butt and shedding the blocker. He can’t quite get his head across the ball carrier in order to drive him back but still limits the play to 4 yards, a pretty textbook job here.