Hello CSR! Its the bye week, meaning the Panthers do not have a matchup to break down this week. However, that means its a perfect time to do some self reflecting. I’ve brought you the defensive previews each week, and things have changed significantly since the start of the season, sometimes even on a week to week basis. They’ve managed to improve from league worst in 2024 to about middle of the pack in 2025, ranked as the 16th defense in points per game, 18th in yards per game, 14th in red zone scoring percentage, 19th in rushing yards per game, and 16th in passing yards per game. I had optimism for a turnaround by this defense, but paired with some of the awful offensive performances this team has endured, those stats are better than I would have expected. Let’s take a look at how we got here.
Beginning of the season
The Panthers were dealt a major blow during the off-season, having released presumed starting inside linebacker Josey Jewell due to injury complications. This forced 2024 rookie Trevin Wallace and free agent signing Christian Rozeboom into starting roles immediately, rather than having a more healthy rotation at that position. Other than that, the team started the season relatively healthy. Which started badly, as the Jaguars steamrolled the defense for 200 yards rushing on route to a 26-10 win. The defense seemed out of sorts (three bad turnovers by Bryce Young on offense did not help), and it seemed as though the linebackers were the biggest weakness.
Ejiro Evero also curiously stuck to giving veteran EDGE players DJ Wonnum and Patrick Jones the lion’s share of snaps, despite the team spending 2nd and 3rd round picks on Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen.
While the defense seemed to bounce back in their 2nd game against the Cardinals, their lack of consistent pass rush and inability to generate turnovers was still evident and the team fell 27-22, but at one point the Cardinals went up 27-3 as the offense had to furiously fight back into the game. 0-2 was not ideal.
Many fans were already calling for the head of Ejiro Evero as the defensive coordinator, as the team couldn’t seem to figure out the sum of its parts. They also lost big free agent signing DL Turk Wharton in his very first game, so the defense was already missing one of their best players.
Well, just like we all expected, the Panthers responded by pitching a 30-0 shutout of the Atlanta Falcons, much of which was fueled by the defense. The game plan and scheme frustrated Michael Penix Jr, who threw a pick six to Chau Smith-Wade and another interception to Mike Jackson, who took it back 54 yards but avoided taking that one to the house (for some reason). These turnovers were back breaking, which gave the Panthers their first positive game script on offense.
Unfortunately, the following week the Panthers met the now best team in the AFC, the Patriots, and were slaughtered 42-13, though the defense started the game off strong. Big plays ended up defining that one. Still, the pass rush was a problem but Evero had figured out a major problem and adjusted. He moved Trevin Wallace to the “green dot” linebacker role for their next game, taking it off of Christian Rozeboom. And while that game also started off a bit rough, the team founds its footing following a 17-0 deficit early in the 2nd quarter, and the defense helped. They Held the Dolphins to just 7 points the remainder of the game, allowing the Panthers offense to get back into it and win their 2nd game of the season. The defense had 3 sacks, which isn’t a world breaking number but considerably better than what we’d seen the prior 4 weeks.
Progress and wins
This led to a 3 game win streak, as the Panthers toppled a great Cowboys offense in a 30-27 win, one where the defense did just enough to limit one of the best passing offenses in the NFL, and held a strong rushing attack to only 31 yards rushing.
The following week, the Panthers defense went blow for blow with (at that time, before trades) one of the best defenses in the league from a talent perspective. They held Breece Hall to just 38 yards rushing, sacked both Jets QBs 6 times, and Jaycee Horn had two incredible interceptions to keep the Panthers ahead. Derrick Brown and Nic Scourton also showed out with 3.5 sacks between them.
Back on the rollercoaster
At 4-3 for the first time since I can remember, they faced the Bills, who soundly defeated the Panthers 40-9. The Bills ran all over them and it became clear that it was going to be hard to predict which team we saw on Sundays.
Then, just like we all expected, the Panthers turned around and beat the 5-1-1 NFC leading Packers in Green Bay, with the defense holding up strong all game and allowing the Panthers to dictate their rushing attacks on offense. While the defense didn’t have a ton of splash statistics, they were led by the much maligned linebacker duo, who logged 24 tackles between them, as the narrative of that game became keeping the Packers out of the end zone. Tre’Von Moehrig also found himself a defensive player of the week award, having logged 5 total tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, 2 pass deflections, and a key interception.
The next 3 weeks were a rollercoaster, as pundits began talking about the team as legit playoff contenders. So naturally, they went and lost 17-7 to the Saints, as Tyler Shough gashed the passing defense for big plays, something this defense had managed to limit for most of their wins this season. Of course, the offense only putting up 17 points didn’t help, but the big passing plays were back breakers.
Then, the Panthers managed to defeat the Falcons in a wild overtime shootout in Atlanta, just like the way the 2024 season ended, 30-27. Bryce Young and the offense were certainly the story, but the defense stepped up in a big way following a 21-7 start to the game for the Falcons.
The Panthers naturally were embarrassed on Monday Night Football 20-9, though it would have been a lot worse were it not for 3 major interceptions, 2 by Jaycee Horn and 1 by Mike Jackson. Still, the Panthers had lost, were facing 6-6 with several tough matchups on the horizon, and fan optimism was at a low once again.
So, just like we all expected, the Panthers defeated the number one team in the NFC 31-28, where defensive turnovers became huge plays in a wild game. Without Jaycee Horn and Tre’Von Moehrig, Mike Jackson stepped up and picked off Matthew Stafford for a touchdown, Derrick Brown batted a pass that turned into a RedZone interception, and Derrick Brown iced the game on the Rams final drive with a sack fumble on Matthew Stafford.
Takeaway highlights, pun intended
So here we are. Let’s highlight some of the best stories from the season.
- Derrick Brown is that guy: Derrick Brown has once again shown why he’s one of the best interior linemen in the NFL. Every week you can catch Brian Baldinger film clips of Brown literally throwing grown offensive linemen to the ground like children. He’ll never be lighting up the stat sheets with sacks, but between consistently batting balls at the line of scrimmage, collapsing run lanes, and a general hustle you don’t see from many men his size, he’s a foundational piece to this defense.
- The secondary is a lot better than we thought: Jaycee Horn was always a guy, but Mike Jackson has quietly stepped up as his running mate at CB2. Both have come up with amazing interceptions that were a result of hard work, film studying, and playing fast within Ejiro Evero’s scheme. It goes to show why this staff values tall rangy CBs on the outside. Tre’Von Moehrig appears to have been worth every penny as a swiss-army knife on this defense. He excels more as a pseudo-linebacker, but once Evero found the role and spots he liked him in, the dude has thrived.
- Nic Scourton is very good: Nic Scourton is consistently grading out near the top of his fellow 2025 rookie class at the EDGE position. He should be a starter for years to come. Princely Umanmielen should serve as a great compliment, but at the moment he’s more of a pass rusher.
- Rookie classes shining: 2024 rookies Chau Smith-Wade and Trevin Wallace have both become great contributors on this defense, and Wallace continues to improve every game he starts. Beyond the aforementioned Scourton and Umanmielen, the Panthers have found a role for S Lathan Ransom, who probably had his best game when being asked to step in and start for a suspended Moehrig last week. And Corey Thornton appears to be the rookie gem we all thought he could be during the preseason, as he too has found himself a role at cornerback when healthy.
- Key injuries: Overall, the Panthers have managed to stay somewhat healthy, though they lost EDGE Patrick Jones for the season, DL Turk Wharton has missed at various times, while Jaycee Horn is battling a concussion that he can hopefully return from after the bye week.
Overall, I’m satisfied with what we’ve seen from this defense this season following the disaster of the 2024 season. Special shout out goes to Ejiro Evero for adjusting consistently and putting his pieces in the best spot to succeed. Now, the question becomes how they will move forward and continue to develop this defense, especially with some great offenses to face in the final weeks of the season. For that, you’ll have to stay tuned for a follow up to this piece.
Comment down below with what’s impressed you the most with this defense, Panthers fans!
Rams have won six straight games and in their past five games, they have outscored their opponents 63-3 in the first quarter.
: FOX
