CHARLOTTE — As the Panthers enter the second half of the season with a Week 9 matchup against the Chiefs, they'll be looking for improvement in pass protection.
Carolina has been inconsistent in the area throughout 2020. There was a two-game stretch of excellence where quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was not sacked at all. But when the offense hasn't kept Bridgewater upright, it's usually coincided with a loss.
Currently, the Panthers are No. 17 in allowing 16 sacks and tied at No. 14 by surrendering 2.0 sacks per game. But they're also No. 10 in allowing just 51 pressures, which is defined as sacks, hurries, or knockdowns.
In the three-game winning streak from Week 3 to Week 5, Bridgewater sacked only two times, both of which came against the Chargers. Carolina allowed only 13 pressures in those three games combined.
But in the losses to the Raiders and Buccaneers in Weeks 1 and 2, Bridgewater was sacked a combined six times, and the Panthers allowed 15 pressures. In the current three-game losing streak, the Panthers have allowed eight sacks and 23 pressures.
"When we protect the quarterback, we've been really good. When the quarterback's been under duress, we haven't been the offense that we want to be," head coach Matt Rhule said. "It's not one of those things that I can say it's improved or it's not improved. It's just been up by game."
There are myriad factors in this, starting with the offensive line. The unit isn't the only one involved in pass protection, but it clearly has a significant effect. Carolina has started four different offensive line combinations in eight games, including a different group of five in each of the last three contests.
"You want to trust all your players, but you want to have continuity on the offensive line," Rhule said. "So much of it is not just physical, it's mental, it's communication, it's passing things off. And to me, to have that level of consistency, you need to have tremendous communication and a feel for each other. And that hasn't quite shown up at the level we'd like it to show up at."
Center Matt Paradis and right tackle Taylor Moton have been the only linemen to start each game. Paradis thinks the issues don't have a straightforward correction.
"If it was that, we would've fixed it already," Paradis said. "The recipe is there, and no matter what defenses are going to throw at us ... we need to be able to adjust and protect. And that starts with myself and the O-line."
Added Bridgewater:
"One of our keys to victory each week is win the line of scrimmage. And that includes burning the blitzes that teams may bring and just protecting the quarterback. So if we can just do those things, like coach said, the games will be much smoother."
That will likely be a challenge against the Chiefs. While the reigning Super Bowl champs are tied for No. 15 with 17.0 sacks and tied for No. 18 with 2.13 sacks per game, they're tied for No. 7 with 10.1 pressures per game. The Chiefs have totaled 41 QB hits, 38 hurries, and 26 knockdowns, and their 10.1 pressures per game are tied with the Buccaneers, who sacked Bridgewater five times in Week 2.
But Carolina beat two teams higher than Tampa Bay and Kansas City in the pressure-rate rankings: the Chargers (No. 4, 10.6 per game) and the Cardinals (tied for No. 5, 10.4 per game). Bridgewater wasn't sacked against the Cardinals, who had only four pressures in Carolina's Week 4 victory.
On the other hand, the Panthers struggled mightily against the Bears' pass rush, allowing four sacks and eight pressures. Chicago is tied for No. 25, generating 7.9 pressures per game.
Those numbers suggest the Panthers are fully capable of being a solid pass-protecting team. But there has to be execution from all 11 offensive players. Plus the team needs good play calls from offensive coordinator Joe Brady paired with a suitable protection plan from offensive line coach Pat Meyer.
"Make no mistake, the other night, there's people running open on third downs, and we're getting sacked," Rhule said. "Some of those are just a great job by them. And some of those are missed assignments or mental errors, all those different things.
"When we've been a good team — and we've been a good team in stretches this year — we've protected the quarterback. So it's just got to go to the forefront of our thinking. It can't be an afterthought."
Based on Bridgewater and Paradis' comments, keeping the QB well protected will be an area of focus this week. And Bridgewater will need it to help keep up with Kansas City's explosive offense.
Carolina is 2-4 all-time in six meetings with Kansas City through the years.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) makes a touchdown catch in front of Side Judge Ron Torbert (62) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Rickey Proehl (81) gets past Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Shawn Barber to gain 18 yards during the third quarter Sunday, Sept. 19, 2004 in Kansas City, Mo. The Panthers won the game, 28-17. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Brady Quinn during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
ADVANCE FOR WEEKEND EDITIONS, MARCH 9-10 - FILE - In this Dec. 2, 2012, file photo, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe (82) is tackled by Carolina Panthers defensive back Josh Thomas (22) during the first half of an NFL football game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. The new group in charge of the Chiefs is going right to work, making bold moves to turn around a franchise that went 2-14 last season. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley, File)
Carolina Panthers free safety Haruki Nakamura (43) lines up against the Kansas City Chiefs during an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012 in Kansas City, MO. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Kansas City Chiefs runningback Jamaal Charles (25) gets tripped up as Carolina Panthers Sione Fua (94) Luke Kuechly (59) and Greg Hardy (76) defend during the second half of an NFL football game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. The Chiefs defeated the Panthers 27-21. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
El safety de los Panthers de Carolina Haruki Nakamura (43) salta sobre una pila de jugadores ante los Chiefs de Kansas City en el partido de la NFL el domingo 2 de diciembre de 2012. (AP Foto/Ed Zurga)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton gets past Kansas City Chiefs defenders during the second half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
Carolina Panthers' DeAngelo Willams (34) and Steve Smith (89) celebrate a touchdown in an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (25) runs past Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman (24) during the first half of an NFL football game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams in a trap in an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart runs for yardage in an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Louis Murphy (83) reaches the ball across the goal line while tackled by Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Jalil Brown (30) during the second half of an NFL football game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
Carolina Panthers against Kansas City Chiefs on November 13, 2016
Kansas City Chiefs' Pat Thomas chases Carolina Panthers' Muhsin Muhammad during an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Kansas City Chiefs running back Peyton Hillis (40) is knocked out of bounds short of the goal line by Carolina Panthers strong safety Charles Godfrey (30) during the first half of an NFL football game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Damon Huard looks to pass during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Tyler Thigpen looks to pass during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Carolina Panthers against Kansas City Chiefs on November 13, 2016
Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers celebrates in an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams after scoring a touchdown in an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Kansas City Chiefs' Tony Gonzalez (88) is tackled by Carolina Panthers' Jon Beason, right, after a catch in the second quarter in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers against Kansas City Chiefs on November 13, 2016
Carolina Panthers against Kansas City Chiefs on November 13, 2016
Kansas City Chief's quarterback Elvis Grbac (11) goes to pass as Carolina Panthers' Lamar Lathon (57) closes in during the second quarter of the Chiefs' 35-14 win NFL at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Sept. 21, 1997. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' DeAngelo Williams (34) and Jonathan Stewart (28) celebrate William's second touchdown during their 34-0 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers against Kansas City Chiefs on November 13, 2016
Carolina Panthers' Muhsin Muhammad (87) drags Kansas City Chiefs' Brandon Carr (39) while crossing the goal line for a touchdown in the third quarter of the Panthers' 34-0 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008. Kansas City Chiefs' DaJuan Morgan (38) pursues. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers running back DeShaun Foster (26) is trailed by Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Dexter McCleon (22) as he runs the ball for 71 yards in the fourth quarter Sunday, Sept. 19, 2004 in Kansas City, Mo. Foster followed the play with a three yard run for a touchdown. The Panthers won the game 28-17. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Carolina Panthers tight end Kris Mangum (86) spikes the ball after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter of their game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Sept. 19, 2004. Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Kawika Mitchell (50) walks off following the touchdown. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme (17) congragulates wide receiver Keary Colbert after Delhomme threw Colbert a 9 yard pass for a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during the third quarter Sunday, Sept. 19, 2004 in Kansas City, Mo. The Panthers won the game 28-17. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Carolina Panthers running back DeShaun Foster (26) is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Shawn Barber (59) after gaining 16 yards in the third quarter Sunday, Sept. 19, 2004 in Kansas City, Mo. Foster ran for 174 yards leading the Panthers to a 28-17 win over Kansas City. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Carolina Panthers against Kansas City Chiefs on November 13, 2016
Carolina Panthers against Kansas City Chiefs on November 13, 2016
