How Cardinals' and Panthers' defenses and special teams graded in Week 1 per PFF

by Walter Mitchell



Week 1 Scores:

ARI 20 NO 13

JAC 26 CAR 10


Week 1 defensive grades by position:


DEFENSIVE INTERIOR:

Arizona:

* L.J. Collier --- 73.5

* Calais Campbell --- 61.2

* Dalvin Tomlinson --- 56.0

* Dante Stills --- 55.0

* Darius Robinson --- 46.2

* PJ Mustipher --- 45.5

Carolina:

* A'Shawn Robinson --- 69.9

* Bobby Brown --- 63.6

* Derrick Brown --- 63.6

* Jaden Crumedy --- 58.9


DI ADVANTAGE --- CAROLINA


EDGE:

Arizona:

* Josh Sweat --- 74.5

* Jordan Burch --- 70.2

* Zaven Collins --- 70.2

* Baron Browning --- 56.1

Carolina:

* DJ Wonnum --- 62.1

* DJ Johnson --- 59.6

* Princely Unanmielen --- 54.4

* Tershawn Wharton --- 53.6

* Nic Scourton --- 52.0

* Pat Jones II --- 49.7


ED ADVANTAGE --- ARIZONA


LINEBACKERS:

Arizona:

* Akeem Davis-Gaither --- 78.0

* Mack Wilson Sr. --- 54.4

Carolina:

* Charles Rozeboom --- 62.7

* Trevin Wallace --- 29.2


LB ADVANTAGE --- ARIZONA


CORNERBACKS:

Arizona:

* Will Johnson --- 90.2

* Max Melton --- 69.2

* Garrett Williams --- 61.9

Carolina:

* Jaycee Horn --- 75.4

* Mike Jackson --- 73.6

* Chau Smith-Wade --- 59.3


CB ADVANTAGE --- EVEN


SAFETIES:

Arizona:

* Dadrion Taylor-Demerson --- 80.4

* Budda Baker --- 75.4

* Jalen Thompson --- 63.1

Carolina:

* Nick Scott --- 67.7

* Lathan Ransom --- 64.5

* Tre'von Meohrig --- 51.0


S ADAVANTAGE --- ARIZONA


TEAM DEFENSE GRADES:

* DEF --- ARI 75.8, CAR 61.0

* RDEF --- ARI 56.2, CAR 60.1

* TACK --- ARI 59.6, CAR 60.1

* PRSH --- ARI 55.5, CAR 57.9

* COV --- ARI 87.0, CAR 63.3

TEAM DEFENSE ADVANTAGE --- EVEN


SPECIAL TEAMS GRADES

* SPEC --- ARI 75.2, CAR 45.7

SPECIAL TEAMS ADVANTAGE --- ARIZONA


This week the Cardinals need to continue to build on their PDB (pass defense barometer: interceptions + pass breakups = DPB)

As previously stated, here were the NFL's top three PDB leaders n Week 1:

1. JAC --- 2 + 9 = 11

2. ARI --- 0 + 9 = 9

3. CIN --- 2 + 6 = 8

The good news for the Cardinals is what the Jaguars defense was able to do to the Panthers' offense, via creating 2 interceptions and 9 pass breakups. 

Opposing QB stats Week 1:

JAC Trevor Lawrence: 19/31, 178 yards, 5.7 avg, 1 TD, 1 int, 0 sacks, QBR 70.1, RTG 74.4

NO Spencer Rattler: 27.46, 214 yards, 4.7 avg., 0 TD, 0 int., 1 sack, QBR 51.6, RTG 70.4

Pass Rush Pressure Week 1

CAR --- 5 pressures, 0 sacks, 1 QB hit, 4 hurries

ARI --- 15 pressures, 1 sack, 1 QB hit, 13 hurries

Opposing Rushing stats Week 1:

JAC 19 carries for 178 yards, 9.4 avg., 1 TD

NO 22 carries for 107 yards, 4.9 avg., 1 TD

The Jaguars' defense was able to pressure Bryce Young 15 times, sack him once, hit him 4 times, hurry him 10 times and intercept him twice. Young was able to scramble 5 times for 40 yards. So, the Cardinals will have to do their best to contain Young.  

The week the Cardinals have their chance to try to put consistent pressure on Young. 

The Panthers rushed for 25/113/4.5/0 TD versus the Jaguars. Chuba Hubbard had 16 carries for 57 yards and a 3.6 avg. A huge key for the Cardinals this time around is to keep the Panthers' running game led by Hubbard in check. 

Your biggest hopes and concerns?









Comments

  1. Since 61September 12, 2025 at 7:44 AM

    Second road game in a row for the Panthers to start the season. Young looked shaky last week with turnovers and lack of discipline. Panthers have won seven of the last eight games since 2015. This includes eliminating the Cardinals from playoff contention late last season. We owe them an asswhoopin

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Since 61September 12, 2025 at 7:48 AM

      Arizona has not won a home game against Carolina in 12 seasons.

      Delete
    2. RedrunSeptember 12, 2025 at 9:04 AM

      I knew it had been awhile, but sheesh 12 yrs losing streak at home. So Bidwillian

      Delete
    3. hevchvSeptember 12, 2025 at 10:45 AM

      Arizona had not won in New Orleans this century either so here's to another record buster.

      Delete
  2. RedrunSeptember 12, 2025 at 9:01 AM

    Defensively. I believe they key metric I'm looking for this week is...
    (1) Improvement from our DI, specifically Robinson. Else, I may begin thinking MO drafting of DI is like Keim drafting OL. Two #1 draft picks is a lot of capital in 2yrs.
    (2) Next is the growth of our CB room - they get a little leeway with young group. I'm hoping WiJo performs with consistency.
    (3) And must I say it, more of DTD "Rabbit."

    ...our lLB are better than another team? I find that a hard stat to understand. But it is small sample... :-)

    ReplyDelete

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