2. The Ravens will make Carolina one dimensional:
The Panthers will have a rough time if they can’t run the ball. Give them credit, drafting Christian McCafferry was a good call. McCaffery is one of the most dangerous players on the field, and he averages 4.8 yards per carry. Newton has totaled 257 rushing yards and averages about the same yardage per attempt. Not only will containing McCaffery in the backfield take away what the Panthers do best, it will make Newton subsidize those rushing yards. That will just give the defense more chances to put the hurt on Newton.
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A one dimensional offense is exactly the problem that the Saints avoided. Kamara got 64 yards on 17 carries, which was enough to make a real impact. Taysom Hill and Ingram did the rest and the Saints had over 100 yards on the ground. On paper, the Panthers are capable of delivering the same kind of results. The Ravens though, have a great rushing defense which ranks seventh in the NFL. The Broncos had a great running game and that didn’t kill the defense. James Connor got a whopping 19 yards on the Ravens. Running against the Ravens is the exception and not the norm.
One reason the Panthers are so good at running the ball is that McCaffery is shifty and speedy. Even when you are in position, taking down number 22 isn’t easy. The Ravens have the speed on defense to match up with McCaffery. The Panthers may get a chunk of yards or two, but they will not be able to lean on the run game to win.