Good News: Hits Secures Panthers Major Advantage And Sure Win Against Commanders in Week 7

Good News: Hits Secures Panthers Major Advantage And Sure Win Against Commanders in Week 7

The Carolina Panthers need to find inspiration from somewhere. Flashes of quality in moments are not enough to build sustainable success in the NFL. Head coach Dave Canales is finding that out first-hand as he navigates a turbulent start to his time in the role.

Sitting at 1-5 through the opening six games wasn’t what he had in mind. Canales’ enthusiasm and hope for this franchise had the fans dreaming of better days ahead. However, it’s been the same old story in terms of on-field results, which disintegrated any faith quickly.

Things don’t get much easier this weekend for Canales. The Panthers travel to the Washington Commanders, who’ve begun the campaign extremely well and seem further ahead than anyone expected in Year 1 of their comprehensive rebuild under the new regime.

What looked like a winnable game before the season is anything but now, but there are some holes to take advantage of if planned correctly. With this in mind, here are five Commanders’ weaknesses the Panthers can exploit in Week 7.

Commanders weaknesses the Carolina Panthers can exploit in Week 7

Carolina Panthers can bait Andrew Wylie into mistakes

One of the biggest reasons behind Washington’s impressive turnaround is the offensive line. This unit received a makeover throughout the offseason and it’s reaping immediate rewards. Having a mobile quarterback helps, but this unit looks more accomplished than anything Ron Rivera put together during his four years at the helm.

There aren’t many holes in this group, especially considering how well Cornelius Lucas and rookie third-rounder Brandon Coleman are sharing responsibilities at left tackle. If there was one area for Carolina’s indifferent defensive front seven to focus on, it’s right tackle Andrew Wylie.

The two-time Super Bowl winner is performing much better this season. However, he is prone to twitchiness pre-snap and hesitancy on an island when pressure mounts. Whether the Panthers have enough edge threat to cause the former Eastern Michigan standout complications is debatable, but this seems like the best way to make first-year sensation Jayden Daniels uncomfortable.

separate ways during the offseason. This was a sad end to what looked like a promising relationship once upon a time. The former second-round selection will be looking to make his old employers pay for the first time in Week 7.

 

Chinn was snapped up quickly by the Washington Commanders in free agency. The 2020 second-round selection turned down more money from the Pittsburgh Steelers to galvanize his career in Dan Quinn’s expansive system. He’s looked the part on occasion, but the same deficiencies in coverage have reared their ugly head once again.

 

Carolina should know how to expose this flaw in Chinn’s game. The player quickly fell out of favor with defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero last season, so he can provide useful insight into how to bait the Southern Illinois product into mistakes in the passing game.

 

This will be one of the most fascinating things to monitor between the player and the organization that traded up to acquire him at No. 64 overall. The Panthers will be looking to avoid another D.J. Moore situation and get the better of him.

 

Carolina Panthers can exploit Commanders run defense

The Commanders’ defense didn’t start the season well. Things looked much better in the two games before they ran into the Baltimore Ravens’ juggernaut led by quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry, who can wreck any game when firing on all cylinders.

 

Washington should feel confident about returning to its encouraging output against the Carolina Panthers on home soil. But if there was ever a time for head coach Dave Canales to be genuinely stubborn running the football, it’s now.

 

 

Gaining yards on the ground could be a good route to keeping rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels off the field. The Commanders are conceding 137.7 rushing yards per game. This has increased to 153.7 over the last three contests, so an opportunity is there if Canales can scheme things effectively.

 

Keeping the linebacking duo of Bobby Wagner and former Panthers star Frankie Luvu from dictating proceedings is key. If they can do this and lean on former fourth-round selection Chuba Hubbard, it might be closer than most anticipate.

Carolina Panthers can exploit defensive line

The Washington Commanders’ defensive line was once an area of real strength. Ron Rivera spent significant draft resources on fortifying the unit, but it never quite met expectations.

 

Chase Young and Montez Sweat were traded before the 2023 deadline. The Commanders also received some awful news after Jonathan Allen suffered a pectoral tear in Week 6 at the Baltimore Ravens and will be out for the season.

 

Couple this with Dorance Armstrong Jr. – their best edge presence by a considerable margin – also potentially missing Week 7 with a rib issue, and Washington’s defensive line could be a weak link. There are still talented players such as Daron Payne and second-round rookie Johnny Newton to call upon, but it’s far from the force of old.

 

The Carolina Panthers have a much-improved offensive line who’ve quickly emerged as a shining light amid the chaos. Taking the Commanders lightly is not an option, but Dave Canales should feel confident the protection in front of Andy Dalton can have their way with Washington’s defensive trenches.

 

Carolina Panthers can exploit underperforming cornerbacks

There isn’t much the Panthers will be able to do against Jayden Daniels based on their defensive frailties through six weeks. The No. 2 pick is already up there with the elite-level quarterbacks around the league. He’s a nightmare to scheme against as an exceptional passer who can also generate significant yards on the ground. Carolina needs to score plenty of points to stand any chance of keeping up.

 

That will be difficult within what promises to be an electrifying atmosphere at Northwest Stadium. It’s not impossible by any stretch, especially considering Washington’s cornerbacks have woefully underperformed in 2024.

 

This was a big concern before the campaign and remains a weak link that could potentially hold them back. Benjamin St-Juste is a liability susceptible to giving up big plays. Rookie Mike Sainristil is coming along nicely but is also prone to errors. Noah Igbinoghene is unsteady on occasion. Former first-round pick Emmanuel Forbes Jr. is on the fringes with his prospects hanging by a thread.

 

Carolina needs to exploit this weakness early and often. Confidence isn’t high surrounding the group among Washington’s fanbase. The Panthers have more than enough firepower to cause untold complications if Andy Dalton provides an assured presence under center.

 

Whether it’s enough to achieve an unlikely success is another matter.