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November 23, 2009

Panthers preparing for NFL's top running team

 Just as the Carolina Panthers are having trouble again stopping opponents from running the football, they now must prepare to face the league’s top-ranked rushing team.

   The New York Jets, who host Carolina Sunday at 1 p.m., are averaging 163.5 yards per game on the ground, just ahead of the Bengals (161.8) and Panthers (159.1).

   The Jets have the league’s sixth-leading rusher in Thomas Jones, who has rushed for 884 yards and averaged 4.6 yards per carry.

   Carolina gave up an average of 149.3 yards rushing in the first three games, then had an 85.8 average over its next five games following the arrival of defensive tackle Hollis Thomas.

   But since outside linebacker Thomas Davis’s season-ending knee injury and a hand injury that has limited defensive end Julius Peppers to playing almost exclusively on passing downs, the Panthers have surrendered a 179-yard average the past two games against Atlanta and Miami, both strong running teams.

   The Dolphins rank fourth in the NFL in rushing and the Falcons are 12th.

The Panthers continue to have the league's No. 3 rushing offense at 159.1 yards per game, led by DeAngelo Williams, the league's No. 4 rusher (982 yards). Williams, the franchise's all-time leading rusher, is on the verge of his second consecutive 1,000-yard season.

Carolina continues to be one of the league's worst in turnover ratio at minus-8. That's tied for 30th in the league with Detroit. Only Oakland at minus-11 has a lower number.

The Panthers' Rhys Lloyd continues to lead the league in touchback percentage on kickoffs (42.9) and reaching-the-end zone percentage (72.1). But because the Panthers have the league's worst kick-coverage team (allowing 29.9 yards per return), opponents' average starting field position is the 27.0 -- 22nd in the league. -- Charles Chandler and David Scott

Posted by Observer Sports on November 23, 2009 at 04:21 PM | Permalink

Comments

Do you know if Fox is actually doing something to prepare for this game, or are you just assuming.

After Thursdays embarrassing loss I would use the word “prepare” very loosely when speaking about Fox.

I am preparing to be even more disappointed at our coaches lack of preparation for this Sundays game.

Who wants to bet we throw 40+ times……….

Posted by: AK Joe | Nov 23, 2009 5:25:29 PM

Nuh Uh!! I promise I prepared!! Im thinking that to really catch the opponent off guard, Im gonna line up my secondary where my front four are and line up the big boys in the back!! Theyll never see that one coming!!! please dont fire me.

Posted by: john fox | Nov 23, 2009 5:33:07 PM

Well "prepare" to lose another one

Posted by: darealpanther | Nov 23, 2009 5:44:12 PM

they complain when we pass, they complain when we run. i would hate to have the criticism fox's job commands.

Posted by: charlottean | Nov 23, 2009 6:48:09 PM

you go boys, just get JACKED up on Mountain Dew and ya'll will beat those City boys

Posted by: Scott | Nov 23, 2009 7:46:10 PM

The Jets are a floundering team. I think we have been playing good ball the last several games. It hurts losing TD and Gross but all teams have injuries. We should win this one. At least I certainly will be pulling for them.

Posted by: Steve Gilmore | Nov 23, 2009 10:16:09 PM

AK Joe--- that was pretty lame.

Speaking of lame, Hurney talked about the contributions of "James Conner." James?? Really? It's bad enough to listen to the commentators get the players' names wrong, but the general manager not even know there names???

Posted by: SYRPIS | Nov 24, 2009 1:09:55 AM

It's gonna be a turnover fest with two rookie QB's. Oh wait, Delhomme is a "veteran".

Posted by: Kenneth | Nov 24, 2009 3:36:25 AM

Fox has Some of the best coaching of his career this season. Delhomme and davidson have bad their worst, unfortunately, and combined with crushing injuries to our most important players like gross Davis and kemo, it's amazing we're still (techinically) in the playoff race. You complainers need to remember how it was before Fox. When just a wildcard appearance was a superbowl.

Posted by: Gamble20 | Nov 24, 2009 9:00:22 AM

Delhomme has only played one good game this year. You can normally count on him for two to three turnovers a game. Play Moore and see if they have a QB or need to draft one. If Delhomme is their best chance to win then kiss the playoffs goodby.

Posted by: Floyd | Nov 24, 2009 12:10:42 PM

Jake: "OK Girls..Let's show em' how we do it"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyZeGOsR9IA

Posted by: The Interceptionist | Nov 24, 2009 6:29:14 PM

"Let's Go Girls"

Posted by: The Interceptionist | Nov 24, 2009 6:32:40 PM

dear inter,you are an idiot

Posted by: ray | Nov 25, 2009 10:43:02 AM

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