Welcome to the third edition of the Weekly Stat Review! A frustrating 3 point loss has the Carolina Panthers falling behind in the most important stat of them all – wins.
If you had the displeasure of watching the whole game, you can guess the direction the stats this series is concerned with have taken. Just for fun, let’s take a look at where things stand anyway.
Offense
Explosive Play Rate
Percentage of plays that qualify as an explosive play. Explosive plays being a carry of 10 or more yards or a pass attempt gaining 20 or more yards.
Week 3 @ CLE: 9.5%
2026 average: 10.8% (8th in NFL)
2025: 8.8% (23rd in NFL)
Pressure Rate Allowed
Percentage of dropbacks with a pressure or sack allowed.
Week 3 @ CLE: 16%
2026 average: League ranking will be updated when available.
2025: 30.9%
3rd Down Conversion Rate
Rate of 3rd downs that converted to 1st downs.
Week 3 @ CLE: 26.7%
2026 average: 36.8% (23rd in NFL)
2025: 36.5% (25th in NFL)
Defense
Zone Coverage Rate
Percentage of coverage snaps spent in a zone defense. Only yearly average will be noted each week going forward.
2026 average: 80% (13th in NFL)
2025: 78% zone coverage
Pressure Rate
Percentage of pass rush opportunities that resulted in a sack or pressure.
Week 3 @ CLE: 15.4%
2026 average: 15.0% (19th in NFL)
2025: 10.1% (31st in NFL)
3rd Down Stop Rate
Rate of 3rd downs allowed to be converted into 1st downs.
Week 3 @ CLE: 33.3%
2026 average: 45.2% (23rd in NFL)
2025: 48.1% (32nd in NFL)
BONUS Stat of the Week
The Panthers are averaging 9 penalties called against them per game, which is the 4th highest rate in the NFL. The two teams the Panthers have lost against so far, the Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns, hold the 2nd and 3 highest rates in the league. In other words, the Panthers have played in some ugly football games so far that have been heavily influenced by the yellow flags flying onto the field.
