The Panthers head into Week3 sitting at 0-2 after two tough lo ses at the hands of the Browns and the Giants. Since 1970, only 9.5% of teams make the playoffs after dropping their first two games, including the George Iloka Jersey 2018 Houston Texans as the only example of such a feat since 1998.History tells us that if coach Rhule's squad is to turn this season around and have a chance of playing some postseason football, this weekend's matchup against the Saints is a must-win. Here are the keys to accomplishing that:McCaffrey needs more touchesChristian McCaffrey has touched the ball 33 times in the first two games with 25 rushing attempts, and 8 receptions. This puts him at 18th and 11th in the league respectively for rushing and receiving touches amongst running backs over the first two games. The star running backs touches on the ground is Tyler Eifert Jersey in line with his career averages (13.3/game), but his yard per attempt is currently sitting at a career-high 5.4. Sure, there are negative game scripts to be accounted for, but the efficiency is there and he needs to be leaned on while the offense continues to figure things out.His receptions are where there seems to be the most room for improvement. Sitting at four in each game so far, CMC is below his career average of 6.21/game. Not only are the receptions down, but the yard per reception is down as well from a career average of 8.4 (never below 8.1 over a season), to an uncharacteristic 6.25 yards per reception this season. The Panthers are currently averaging 5.2 yards per play (20th in the NFL), but with consistency i sues seeping through, the all-pro talent needs to be turned to. McCaffrey has a great opportunity to help the offense find its rhythm and create some explosive plays, but those plays will need to be Pat Sims Jersey sought out more than they have so far. Dial up the aggre sion with turnovers in mindScroll to ContinueThe Saints are coming off a game in which they committed 5 turnovers against the Buccaneers. Their total of 6 thus far is tied for the most in the league. They have also allowed 10 sacks thus far, conceding 4 to Randy Bullock Jersey the Falcons and 6 to the Bucs. The Panthers have yet to force a turnover through two games, the only team in the NFL with that distinction and have registered just 4 sacks on the season. Something is going to have to give.The Panthers defensive rankings look fine at first glance, highlighted by allowing the third-fewest pa sing yards per game. The worry is that the team has played teams quarterbacked by Jacoby Bri sett and Daniel Jones. Better quarterbacks are going to make it tough to maintain that ranking as the season goes on. As the team is forced to key in more on opposing pa sing games, the 29th-rankedrushing defense is sure to suffer. Setting the tone defensively is going to have to be a skill the defense develops to compensate as more talented offenses come to town. Jameis Winston, who is currently playing with multiple fractures in his back, is a great place to test the aggre sion nece sary to make that happen. Take more shots, make the crucial plays easierThe Panthers have converted just 7-24 of 3rd 4th down conversions this season and have ama sed just 33 first downs through two games (7 of which came from penalties from the other team). Good offenses generally find themselves picking up first downs Joe Mixon Jersey through the air noticeably more than on the ground because that usually Geno Atkins Jersey implies more succe s on earlier downs, yet the Panthers have picked up just 14 pa sing first downs this season as opposed to their 12 on the ground. The inability to pick up the longer third downs through the air so far is a large reason why the Panthers have only run 104 plays from scrimmage this season, the third-fewest in the league. Offensive Coordinator Ben McAdoo will need to evaluate the best course of action for more succe s on earlier downs to mitigate the teams current ineffectivene s during the more crucial plays. If gunslinger Baker Mayfield and company can generate more explosive plays earlier, the underneath should surely open up more as things progre s.