Derrick Brown doing standout work for the Panthers

TROY HULL | THE CHARLOTTE POST

Derrick Brown (95) is putting up some of the best statistics in his career for the Carolina Panthers as the anchor of their 3-4 defense.

Derrick Brown’s work continues.

Despite the Carolina Panthers’ woes, he continued to sharpen his brand.  

On Sunday, Brown helped limit the Atlanta Falcons to just 204 total yards to keep the Panthers’ struggling offense close. This time, the NFL’s worst team made just enough plays to pull out a walk-off 9-7 win, snapping their second six-game losing streak of the season.

“It was fun,” Panthers interim coach Chris Tabor said, regarding the celebration after Eddy Pineiro’s game-winning kick as time expired.

It may have been fun for Tabor, who was credited with his first NFL win, but it was the defense, which earned a primary assist for the Panthers improving to 2-12.

Panthers ‘D’ showing consistent strength

At first glance, the Panthers’ defense doesn’t appear to be among the NFL’s most formidable units, yielding 26.2 points per game, which ranks second-to-last in the 32-team league.

But NFL pundits know better.

The Panthers may be on the verge of one of the worst seasons in franchise history, but an undervalued element of the lost season has been the defensive standard established by coordinator Ejiro Evero.  

The Panthers entered Sunday allowing 298.4 yards per game, fourth best in the league. The secondary has fared slightly better, yielding just 175.4 passing yards per game, third in the league.

Most of that success can be anchored to the defensive front, led by Brown, an emerging Pro Bowl candidate.

“Real proud of our defensive line for sure,” Tabor said.   

The Panthers held Atlanta to 55 first-quarter yards. That would be considered good, except the Falcons limited Bryce Young and company to 33 total yards through 15 minutes.

Early in the second quarter, Brown assisted on consecutive tackles of running back Tyler Allgeier, the second a 2-yard loss that kept the game scoreless.  

“Just doing my job man,” Brown said. “That’s it. Keep going. Just doing my job within the scheme and plays are happening for me.”

Brown is displaying consistency with his work.

In last week’s loss at New Orleans, Brown was credited with 10 tackles, an interception and a pass defended. The 2020 No. 7 overall draft pick joined Mathias Kiwanuka (2011) and Michael Bankston (1995) as the lone defensive linemen to compile that single-game stat line.

Against the NFC South-rival Falcons (6-8), Brown collected five tackles, including two solo stops. In a breakout campaign, Brown has compiled a career-best 79 tackles.

As Tabor requested, Brown went into the real estate business Sunday, helping to acquire land on a rainy, windy day where field position played a key role.

During a pregame speech, Tabor told his players he wanted them to “be real estate agents after we get done with this game,” he said. “That means we’re acquiring land during the game and changing field position.”

The Panthers have not scored an offensive touchdown since Chuba Hubbard’s 1-yard run against Tampa Bay on Dec. 3. With the defense forcing the Falcons into two fourth-quarter turnovers Sunday, the much-maligned Young guided Carolina on consecutive series that resulted in field goals. The game-winner capped a 17-play, 90-yard drive.

“It feels great knowing what the defense did today,” running back Chuba Hubbard said. “That’s how football works. The offense works for the defense. The defense works for the offense, special teams as well.”

Brown’s breakout work continues.

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