Why Panthers are changing up tendencies to take advantage of Adam Thielen’s production

The Panthers want opponents to think twice about wide receiver Adam Thielen when he moves around in pre-snap motion.

The team’s leading receiver lined up in the backfield on a couple of plays during the 15-13 win over the Houston Texans last week. One of those plays led to a 9-yard connection between Thielen and rookie quarterback Bryce Young off a Texas route out of the backfield.

That connection was the first of eight completions between Young and Thielen against Houston. The duo also teamed up on a highlight-reel 31-yard gain four plays later.

Thielen’s ability to gain the defense’s attention out of the backfield was something offensive coordinator Thomas Brown was looking to take advantage of with that specific wrinkle in the playbook.

“It’s about trying to change up tendencies,” Brown said Thursday. “Being able to key in on him sometimes, with stacks and bunches, kind of gives high alerts for certain concepts that we have. So, part of our process is, every week building tendencies to break them. Showing you something on tape, giving you something different the next week — also kind of hide him from the standpoint of putting him in the backfield so people can’t put their hands on him and give them easy access from route standpoint.”

Thielen — who frequently operates as a slot receiver — has caught 57 passes for 581 yards and four touchdowns through seven games. He leads all Panthers receivers in those categories.

The 33-year-old playmaker is tied with Detroit Lions wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown for the sixth-most receptions in the NFL. He also ranks 12th in receiving yards and sixth in receptions for first-down conversions with 35 of those important snags.

Given his impact within the offense, Thielen is one of the key challenges for every defense the Panthers face. Moving Thielen around in pre-snap motion can free up other receiving weapons and help Young dictate coverage assignments. Both side effects are important for a Panthers offense that has struggled to create consistent explosive plays.

The Panthers want to give their opponents something they haven’t seen before. But the key element of those plays is to disguise the new look within a concept the offense has used in the past. With Thielen being so heavily targeted, he is a logical wild card to help plant seeds of doubt.

Still, Brown acknowledges that not every week will feature the same plan for Thielen.

“I think it depends on who you’re playing, how they view him,” Brown said. “Regardless of your opponent, if you have success with certain players or certain schemes in general, their goal is to stop them. So, it’s about us doing a really good job of figuring out how to maximize our opportunities, put our guys in the best spots to have success, but also, play on their tendencies on what (the opponent) is watching from our previous games.”

Thursday injury report

Did not participate: LB Claudin Cherelus (knee), OLB Justin Houston (hamstring), WR Laviska Shenault (ankle)

Limited: S Vonn Bell (quadriceps), OLB Brian Burns (elbow), WR DJ Chark (elbow), G Austin Corbett (knee), LB Frankie Luvu (hip), OT Taylor Moton (knee), S Xavier Woods (abdomen), LB Chandler Wooten (hamstring)

Full: RB Raheem Blackshear (groin), CB Troy Hill (illness), TE Hayden Hurst (illness), G Cade Mays (ankle)