Ya, I totally agree. Opening from the gun likely did alot of that though. I imagine McVay had some matchups he really liked but the Panthers went cover 8 and um who plays cover 8...

Panthers also went nickel with a 3 man line almost the entirety of the game. Shaq Thompson and Kuechly(except for one play) played the whole game. And the Slot Corner Munnerlyn played 47 of 64 snaps.

They forced the run game. And that's what they got. Good strategy imo. If they had a QB that could hit a barn they win that game. Goff plays like that all season we might not even sniff the playoffs. But I think Goff bounces back.

Stats

After week 1

2019

12 PA Dropbacks
41 Total Dropbacks
29,3% PA Dropbacks

2018

16 PA Dropbacks
34 Dropbacks Total
47.1% PA Dropbacks.