The 10 Most Impactful Plays of Week 8
5. Panthers Keep Pounding on Palmer
Win Probability Added: +14.11
NEP: +7.79
Just one year after they were one of the most dangerous teams on both sides of the ball, the Arizona Cardinals look like they’ve hit an offensive speedbump in their pursuit of NFL glory in 2016. That speedbump can encapsulate the flaws of the offensive line or the injuries the wide receivers have suffered, but more than anything else, it’s the wanting play of quarterback Carson Palmer. By Passing NEP per drop back, Palmer ranks 18th out of the 32 quarterbacks with 100 drop backs or more through Week 8.
That drop from 2015’s elite form to 2016’s mediocre play was on display again Sunday as the Carolina Panthers’ defense got a pick-me-up from their opposition. With little passing game challenging them, the Panthers were able to dial up blitz after blitz to keep Palmer off-kilter. Only three minutes into the first quarter, defensive tackle Star Lotulelei set the tone by blowing up Palmer on a strip-sack, which linebacker Thomas Davis then ran back 43 yards for a score.
