Defensive Line Must Apply Pressure Against Panthers

The Raiders defensive line needs to apply pressure to the Panthers offense in order to win on Sunday.
Defensive Line Must Apply Pressure Against Panthers
Defensive Line Must Apply Pressure Against Panthers /

It’s only a few days until the Las Vegas Raiders play their season opener against the Carolina Panthers.

Taking a brief look at the Panthers offensive line shows that they have a young offensive line, tasked to protect a new leader of their offense: quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.

The Cam Newton era at the Panthers has come to a close after the Panthers released him during the off-season.

Newton is starting this year for the New England Patriots.

As Bridgewater returns to a consistent starting gig at quarterback, the Raiders have an advantage here.

The Silver and Black’s defense is dealing with a very young and inexperienced offensive line.

With a little over 3.5 sacks allowed per game by Carolina last season, even with personnel changes such as the addition of two-time Pro Bowler Russell Okung, the Raiders have a chance to pressure Bridgewater and get as many hits on him as possible.

This is where we’ll see the true improvement of defensive end, Maxx Crosby, this year. Crosby, who had 10 sacks as a rookie, will be a key to addressing the pressure at the line.

The defensive line has to make the opponent uncomfortable at all times on the field.

With the Panthers bringing new and young offensive coordinator Joe Brady to the helm, it’ will most likely take Bridgewater a couple of games to get the playbook rolling, considering he hasn’t run full-on games with Brady in his ear just yet.

Couple this with the what I believe is one of the best pairings of linebackers in the NFL with Nick Kwiatkoski and Cory Littleton, who will be blitzing most likely on second down, as long as the Raiders defensive line can apply pressure to the Panthers, the defense should be able to stop the offensive threat from Carolina.

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Hikaru Kudo
HIKARU KUDO