A film session breaking down how the Commanders was able to defend the run against the Carolina Panthers
In week seven, the Washington Commanders‘ defense was slated to go against a Carolina Panthers offense that had averaged 130 rush yards per game over its last four games. Running back Chuba Hubbard, specifically, averaged 101 rush yards in those four games. The Washington Commanders held the Panthers under 100 rushing yards on the day, and Hubbard was held to just 52 yards. While the Panthers finished the day with 95 rushing yards, 26 came on a jet sweep on Carolina’s first drive.
Here are some plays that highlight how the Commanders eliminated the Panthers’ run threat in their week seven matchup.
Gap shooting
The Commanders’ first and second levels consistently and successfully shot gaps throughout the day against the Carolina Panthers. The defender’s ability to time up the snap count stressed the linemen responsible for them pre-snap and completely blew up the Panthers’ drives.
The Commanders are in a 3-3-5 against the Panthers 11-personnel. The Panthers attempt to run power to the strongside C-gap. As the force defender, Jamin Davis does a good job stalemating the kick-out attempt by the pulling lineman. Interior linemen Johnny Newton and Phidarian Mathis also successfully stand their ground with slight penetration to close the space for the running back. Frankie Luvu benefits from his teammates winning at the point of attack as he successfully times up his gap shoot, coming in untouched for a tackle-for-loss.
Dante Fowler takes over this play with quickness, snap timing, and great overall football instincts. On a fourth-and-short, the Panthers utilize a split-back formation. Pre-snap, the Panthers motion their lone field-side receiver to the backfield, as Folwer aligns as the 7-tech defender. Fowler disguises his post-snap responsibility as the C-gap defender and times up the snap well to shoot and stop the fourth down in the backfield.
Edge setting
The Commanders did an excellent job setting the edge and replacing gaps post-snap throughout the game.
Frankie Luvu blitzes the B-gap, replacing 3-tech defender Sheldon Day, who shifted toward the center, and Phidarian Mathis shifted over to the B-gap. Both Day and Mathis stalemate their blocks and close the interior gaps, forcing the running back to bounce the run. The tight end attempts to kick out Clelin Ferrell, but Ferrell controls the engagement from the beginning, sustains the edge, and brings down the ball carrier.
Washington deploys a seven-man box against the Panthers’ 12-personnel. Sheldon Day and Phidarian Mathis both play with good leverage on the interior, allowing them to hold their ground. Efe Obada successfully sets the edge, which prevents the running back from bouncing the run outside, while Jamin Davis beats the tight end to crash down the line. Overall, the remaining box defenders supported the run well with gap integrity and physicality at the line of scrimmage.
Run blitz
Frankie Luvu’s “wild card” nature at the line of scrimmage can cause issues for offenses, but Bobby Wagner’s ability to play off of Luvu and react quickly to his decision-making works well in some spots.
Washington faces a third and short on this play and utilizes a run blitz to get a stop on the Panthers. Daron Payne and Johnny Newton are utilized as 3-tech defenders, allowing Luvu and Wagner, who show blitz late in the snap count, to fill the A gaps. In what appears to be a cross-dog blitz, Luvu shows some unpredictability in confusing the linemen responsible for doubling him. Still, he sacrifices for Wagner, who peels off of Luvu and penetrates the backfield unaccounted for.
Beating combo blocks
Sheldon Day had a solid outing against the Panthers on Sunday, particularly in the run game. He won his 1-on-1s and against combination blocks.
On these 2nd and 3rd, the Commanders deploy a seven-man box, with Mike Sainristil paired with Wagner and Luvu on the second level. Day quickly defeats the backside reach block from the right guard, swimming over the block to defend the backside A-gap that was not accounted for by a second-level defender. As the playside 1-tech, Newton does just enough to maintain gap integrity, making it a difficult hole for the running back to burst into while Day makes the play.
Conclusion
The Commanders’ most significant threat from the Carolina Panthers was their ability to effectively run the football despite being a 1-5 team heading into the matchup. The Commanders came up big defensively in this area of the game, which, as the lead grew larger, made it difficult for Carolina to stick to the ground game. There were very few individual mistakes on a down-to-down basis, and overall, a selfless brand of football that allowed teammates to make plays. In some instances, defenders made the play, which is even better.