"I think there's plenty of ways to win a game," Idzik points out. "We want to attack the holes in the defense that we think apply to what we want to emphasize on our offensive schemes. But really, it comes down to, okay, what kind of fronts do they run? How are they combating runs, what types of runs are hitting?
"So it isn't a blanket statement of 'These guys aren't good at X' or 'These guys are great at this.' You really want to get the nuts and bolts; what leads to those statistics."
Even if the Panthers' offense can take advantage of those areas, though, there is still Josh Allen and James Cook III to contend with on the other sideline, ready to protect their spot atop the league from a rising Panthers' attack. It means, regardless of what Dowdle, Hubbard, and crew might do, the Panthers' defense knows they have to be the ones to outlast.
Says Wallace, "You go out there and compete to the last whistle."