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Panthers vs. 49ers: 5 key stats to watch in Week 1

By Robert Smith

SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 17: A general view of the San Francisco 49ers taking on the Denver Broncos during a preseason game at Levi's Stadium on August 17, 2014 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Noah Graham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 17: A general view of the San Francisco 49ers taking on the Denver Broncos during a preseason game at Levi's Stadium on August 17, 2014 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Noah Graham/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 11: Bryce Petty #9 of the New York Jets is hit by DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on December 11, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 11: Bryce Petty #9 of the New York Jets is hit by DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on December 11, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

No. 1: Quarterback Pressures

Make the quarterback uncomfortable. Throw off his rhythm. Hit him and knock him down. Every defense goes into the game with that mindset, but some are obviously more successful than others at executing that game plan.

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However, some quarterbacks are more adept at avoiding pressure, continue looking downfield and making plays while avoiding sacks.

By all accounts, Cam Newton struggled last season after having an MVP year in 2015. A large part of that was due to the difficulty he had when pressured by opposing defenses. He actually ranked 28th in the league while facing pressure, and jumped to 19th when he was not.

Ironically enough, Brian Hoyer ranked ninth in that category. In fairness to Newton, he ran 560 plays, as opposed to the 206 plays Hoyer ran while under center for the Chicago Bears last year.

San Francisco has invested a good amount of draft capital the past few seasons to bolster its defensive front seven. With DeForest Buckner, Arik Armstead, Aaron Lynch, Tank Carradine, rookie Solomon Thomas and Eli Harrold, the Niners appear to have the makings of a formidable defensive front. Even with their relative youth and inexperience, if they can generate a steady pass rush on Newton, they may be able to disrupt the Panthers offense and mask some of their weaknesses.

While Carolina appears to hold the edge in nearly every phase of the game, new defensive coordinator Robert Saleh will have this defense attacking and hitting hard.

Next: Stopping Christian McCaffrey is 49ers biggest test

If the Niners can gain an advantage in the five areas I have mentioned in this article, they could very well find themselves winning their seventh straight season opener.