Jaguars vs. Panthers: 5 Questions with Old North Banter
By David Levin
The staff of Black and Teal had a chance to sit down with Old North Banter ahead of the game on Sunday between the Jaguars and the Panthers.
The major theme of Sunday’s clash between the Jaguars and the Panthers will be which team can run the ball more effectively. In other words, stop the run and you stand a good chance of earning the victory in Charlotte.
There is plenty of history between these two teams, having come into the NFL together in 1995 and both teams celebrating the their 25th seasons in the league. Both teams look to move ahead of their 2-2 records and inch closer to a potential postseason berth. The Jaguars will do it with their running game and the arm of Gardner Minshew as well as a stinging defense.
The Panthers will run with Christian McCaffrey and use him in the passing game as much as possible. The Carolina defense will also try to impose its will against the Jaguars, hoping to slow down the success of Minshew and the speed of the Jaguars wide receivers.
More from Jacksonville Jaguars News
- Jacksonville Jaguars should welcome Derrick Henry into the kingdom
- Jaguars Rumors: Trent Baalke seems to be getting respect now
- Jaguars News: This division rival might be making a big move
- Former Jacksonville Jaguars S Johnathan Cyprien: “New Profession, Same Standards”
- Jacksonville Jaguars TE Evan Engram officially gets the franchise tag: 3 takeaways
A big thanks to Joseph Ochoa of Old North Banter for spending some time with us, answering our questions ahead of Sunday’s game. Here is what he had to say.
How big of a loss is it for the Panthers to play without Kawaan Short for the remainder of the season? The loss of a two-time pro-bowler is a big one, but Kyle Love has always been a good stop-gap measure the Panthers have had on that defensive line since his arrival in late 2014. It’s not the best situation, but it could be far worse.
Can the Panthers win the next two games with Kyle Allen under center? What are you general impressions of him so far? I have been very impressed with Kyle Allen so far. I think he’s been the most capable backup the team has had in a long time, and that’s evident with the Panthers not trying to rush Cam Newton back from his foot injury.
This is how Jaguars WR DJ Chark did his interview today. pic.twitter.com/ar61G66Vmc
— Michael DiRocco (@ESPNdirocco) October 2, 2019
I think Allen will be fine for Carolina until after the bye week. but these next three games against some solid defenses are going to be telling of how well Allen can play if the running game is stuffed, as the next three games for Carolina are against teams in the top half the league in rushing defense.
Who has to have a big game on offense for Carolina to win? D.J. Moore is going to be the guy that needs to step up if Carolina is going to win. Curtis Samuel has thrived with Allen under center and outside of a big touchdown reception against the Cardinals, Moore hasn’t been able to do much, averaging two reception per game.
If Jalen Ramsey misses another game (he has been ruled out), it will be possible for Moore to have a big game, but A.J. Bouye could still make things difficult.
Who has to have a big game on defense? Tre Boston is going to need to step up on defense. Boston got exposed last week against Houston, as he was caught peeking in the backfield on some bombs from Deshaun Watson.
Luckily, both passes fell incomplete, but they could’ve easily been touchdowns. Dede Westbrook, DJ Chark and Chris Conley all have great speed at the position, so Boston is going to have to be on his A-game to make sure he isn’t surrendering more deep passes down the middle.
How good has Brian Burns been for this team so far this season? [Brian] Burns has been solid so far and is starting to get into a groove on the defensive line. Burns has had at least a half-sack in each of the last three games, and he’s only been on the field for fewer than 80-percent of all defensive snaps in each of the four games this season.
If the Panthers get a big lead in this game and force the Jags to throw the ball a lot, it could be a coming-out party for Burns, as he is probably the fastest edge rusher the team has.