Carolina Panthers: Hoping to Lean on Their Run Game Again

The Carolina Panthers are in an interesting position as the 2015 NFL season is set to begin. Throughout the team’s history they have never been a high-powered offensive unit. Just last season they averaged 21.2 points per game which fell in the middle of the pack among all teams. However, one constant stood out for this Panthers team when it comes to their better performances throughout history: they had a powerful running attack that fit their style of play. To continue that success in this coming year, they need to build upon said running game.

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According to a report by David Newton of ESPN, the Panthers know that their run game is vital to their continued success. So much so, that the organization has spent $15,247,896 on the position; the second highest amount in the league.

Dec 28, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) runs the ball against the Atlanta Falcons in the first quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Without DeAngelo Williams, much of that heavy lifting is expected to fall on Jonathan Stewart. The 2008 draft pick has been pretty consistent since joining the Panthers team. However, he and Williams were a potent tandem that offered different sets of skills for the opposition to worry about. Stewart has also struggled with injuries as he’s appeared in all 16 games in a season only three times during his career. 2009 is the only season in which he’s earned more than 1000 when he brought in 1133 through 16 games.

If he continues to perform like he did towards the end of 2015, he will be a dangerous playmaker for the team in Charlotte.

Behind Stewart the Panthers have a number of different options that will come into play. Mike Tolbert has been their main option during short-yardage plays and when both Williams and Stewart were injured.

Cameron Artis-Payne from Auburn is a major question mark coming into the season. He, along with Fozzy Whittaker, are in a position in which they may be expected to step in and perform at a high level. Stewart’s contract is set to end in 2017 so Carolina may be looking for his replacement in one of these two men.

Jan 3, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) celebrates a touchdown with quarterback Cam Newton (1) against the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter in the 2014 NFC Wild Card playoff football game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

Quarterback Cam Newton must also be considered as a cog in the Panthers’ running attack. In 2012 he was the team’s top rusher and is a consummate threat to tuck the ball and run during designed or broken pass plays.

The Panthers have long used the run game to control the pace of play. Looking back throughout their historical stats (via Pro-Football-Reference) reveals an interesting trend. In each of the five seasons that the Panthers have won double-digit games, they have never been ranked higher than 10th in offensive ranks. In three of those years they have been ranked in the top ten in points. If they can’t control the clock this organization is going to be hard pressed to find multiple, big play weapons on their roster.

This shows that the key to the Panthers’ success is not through a high-scoring, flashy style offense. Instead, they control the clock with their run game and fall back on the strength of their defense to keep their opponents in check. If they are expected to make it into the post-season for the third season in a row, Carolina will have to solidify their run game. With so many questions looming this is a big point to watch throughout this year.

Next: The Five Most Important Players For The Carolina Panthers

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