A second chance for the run defense
The Panthers know the run defense against the Jaguars, giving up 200 yards with a 71-yard explosive, will not be up to snuff. And despite coaches and players all promising they aren't looking backwards and comparing to last season's historically bad numbers, it's hard not to draw initial parallels.
But Derrick Brown, who missed 16 games last season and admitted he had a moment of gratitude walking off the field Sunday to be back, is confident their Week 1 performance can be an anomaly, not the standard.
"I watched the tape unlike most people, so you know seeing the tape on the plane and getting back to it, biggest thing—like I said earlier—to be able to come out here and have a chance this year to be able to go play a second game, you know, that's where my faith lies," said Brown this week.
"To be able to come out here and be able to go out here with these guys that I watched work 6 to 6 this offseason, you know, that's where my faith lies in these guys, and you know I'm willing to put that on the line for them.
"I mean, it was bad last week. I mean, four plays, we gave up big runs, but I mean, it's just limit the mistakes, hustle, and cover when people make mistakes. I mean, that's what football is. It ain't always going to be perfect, but for us to be able to go out here this week and execute the game plan, and you know everybody does their job. That's all it takes."