Carolina Panthers: Success Hinges On Offensive Line

Both the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals are one win away from a second Super Bowl appearance. And the Panthers offensive front knows exactly what is on the line.

The Carolina Panthers are one step away from Super Bowl 50. Standing in the opposite tunnel is a team that is built very similar and is very threatening to that goal: the Arizona Cardinals. This unit may be the most challenging team Carolina has played to date. In order for this team to claim the NFC Championship and a trip to the final game of the year, Carolina must lean on the offensive line as the most important players in this game.

Throughout the season the Arizona Cardinals defense hampered opponents who tried to run the ball against them; allowing only 91.3 yards per outing. This is a key number because the Panthers are on a streak of at least 100 yards rushing per game that dates back to the 2014 season. The running attack, led by Jonathan Stewart and Cam Newton, is one of the most diverse rushing groups in the game today.

With Stewart and Newton, along with Cameron Artis-Payne, Mike Tolbert and even Ted Ginn, Jr. they consistently give opponents different looks that cause confusion. Carolina needs their offensive line in order to operate at full strength both offensively and defensively.

However, much of that success has hinged on the Panther’s offensive line. These individuals are usually the unsung heroes of a football team, but the way Carolina continues to run the ball and control the clock speaks to their strength.

The Cardinals defense truly limited what opponents can do when attempting to run the ball. If they do the same thing against the Panthers, this will put added pressure on Newton and the receivers. Even though the passing game reached new heights this year, it is too late in the year to try to force a victory in a fashion that is relatively new.

Jan 17, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) looks for the handoff during the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks in a NFC Divisional round playoff game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /

Also, the protection of Newton is highly important in this game. He’s played mistake-free football for the last few months, but in the past he’s committed multiple turnovers during the post season. Newton’s averaging nearly eight yards a completion and that’s due to the time that is allotted to him in the pocket.

To take advantage of the aggression that the Cardinals defense plays with, Newton will need to remain safe as long as possible.

Even though the Cardinals garnered 36 total sacks this year, they apply pressure in key ways that have forced their opponents into 19 interceptions during the regular season. Even though Newton has a keen ability to scramble and create plays out of the madness, this is not a situation that Carolina wants to occur too often. The more time the offensive line can give Newton the better chance his multiple weapons can break apart the defense.

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The ESPN Matchup Predictor gives Carolina a 51.8 percent chance to win the NFC Championship on Sunday. The Cardinals are constructed in a way that would allow them to match the Panthers blow for blow, which is a true test at this point in the year.

Much of that success and everything that the Panthers’ experienced this year hinges on how well the offensive line plays, making them the most important aspect of the Panthers on Sunday.

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