Defensive Disaster for Seahawks, Panthers, Bengals and Saints

Carolina Panthers

Ron Rivera’s team overcame a 1-3 start last season by winning 11 of their last 12 games and capturing the NFC South for the first time since 2008.

The catalyst was a defense that ranked second in the NFL in both fewest total yards allowed and fewest point given up. Carolina also led the league with 60 sacks, 15 of those courtesy of All-Pro defensive end Greg Hardy.

And it looked like it would be business as usual this season as the Panthers opened 2-0 and allowed a combined 21 points in wins over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions.

Instead, it’s all gone wrong as of late for a talented unit, although the suspension of Hardy since Week 2 has certainly not helped.

In their last four games, only one of which resulted in a victory, Rivera’s squad has surrendered an incredible 136 points—an average of 34.0 points per contest. Keep in mind that Carolina allowed just 241 points in 16 games a season ago, a mere 15.1 per game. The Panthers have allowed 37, 38, 24 and 37 points, respectively, during their 1-2-1 stretch.

To go along with 136 points, middle linebacker Luke Kuechly and company have allowed 1,768 total yards, an average of 442.0 yards per game in their last four appearances.

This Sunday, Rivera and company head to Lambeau Field to face the revitalized Green Bay Packers, who have scored 107 points in their last three outings.

Good luck.