The Carolina Panthers' defense is in mid-season form, and has quickly become the team's calling card. This showed itself in the second quarter of Thursday's game against the Baltimore Ravens, when Luke Kuechly created a touchdown for the Panthers.
Luke Kuechly makes an impact vs. Ravens
The Panthers offense can’t do a thing, but Carolina’s still winning thanks to superhuman play from the team’s middle linebacker.
James Dator has been covering a wide range of sports for SB Nation for over a decade, with a special focus on the NFL.
2012’s Defensive Rookie of the Year looks like he could make a play for Defensive Player of the Year in 2013. In one half, the second-year linebacker had 7 tackles, 2 passes defended, 1 interception, and this forced fumble which led to the Panthers’ touchdown.
Kuechly diagnoses the play perfectly, almost de-cleating Bernard Pierce on the play. Somehow he's able to stay on his feet, and would could have made the pickup if not for outside linebacker Thomas Davis, who recovered the ball before taking it into the end zone for a touchdown.
The Carolina Panthers are leading by 17 points despite having less than 75 yards of total offense. A huge reason for that is Luke Kuechly.
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