Running Mixon Is The Key To Victory!

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(11-07-2022, 11:58 AM)BFritz21 Wrote: Mixon had 22 carries for 157 yards and four touchdowns, and that was with not even playing in the fourth quarter!

I've been preaching all along that running Mixon is the key to victory, and I think yesterday proved it, and I hope Zac took notice, because I know Burow did, saying we run the ball like that, not a team in the league that can beat us.

I realize that the Panthers don't have the best run defense in the league, but just giving Mixon the ball with a little space and letting him find his spots seemed to be working.

I've been saying that we need to give Mixon the ball with Burrow under center because I think Mixon runs better downhill, but I can only remember one time that we gave Mixon the ball with Burrow under center (besides maybe near the goal line), and Mixon was carving up their defense! I miscalculated that their linebackers still need to commit to the run even if we're not giving the ball running straight north/south from the snap.

Running the ball will also take pressure off Burrow since defenses won't be able to just pin their ears back and go after Burrow, which giving up a hundred sacks already shows that that's obviously a big problem.

Having Chase back eventually will also make our run game that much better because a safety has to stay back to double him.

Like I said in the other Mixon thread................

LET THE BIG DOG EAT!

Well said, Brad.

It is definitely exciting given that Carolina is actually (statistically) a really good run defense team.  Frustrating as hell they couldn't get that together the previous week against the Browns, but I am very encouraged with how the line blocked and how both RBs were punishing tacklers.  That looked like an angry Mixon and Perine and I will take that.

Burrow's quote is eerily similar to the one last year he said on the sidelines before the first Baltimore game.  He said something to the effect of "If we can win our division, we can win the whole thing...".  And I remember seeing Higgins nodding like "Yeah, you're probably right".  Well, if they can have that kind of run blocking and rushing attack, along with getting Chase back, they just might go on another late season run.

Sure, I wish they had Chido, but I thought CTB stepped up and played really well.  He got downgraded on PFF for a penalty that he didn't need to commit (even though it was really ticky-tack) and the amazing TD grab by Marshall.  He was in place to defend it and tried to rip it out, but the bigger Marshall boxed him out and made the play.  That happens.  He was really solid in run defense, and if you think how that will matter down the stretch playing the Browns again, the steelers, the ratbirds, as well as teams like Tennessee and the Bucs, that could be a nice boost.  

Run defense is often overlooked for a CB, but CTB is a very tough and solid tackler.  He will need to be against the steelers.