A good showing against the Denver Broncos last week has done very little for fan confidence in the direction of the Carolina Panthers. Last week, 39% of Panthers fans were confident in their favorite team, down from a season high heading into Week 7 of 96% of fans. That may continue to worsen as the Panthers continue to manage the health of their roster and, apparently, the availability of officials for their Week 10 game against the New Orleans Saints today.
Injuries have obviously ravaged the Panthers
this season. Bryce Young, when healthy himself, has often—but not always—played well in spite of that. That context holds very little weight with fans at the moment. Losing one score games to then-five and -six win teams means very little as well. Most fans seem to still be reeling from the team’s flat performance against the divisional rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 7.
I think ticking up just one percentage point after last week’s showing is harsh. The Panthers are better than their record if they can field an actual, healthy roster and they are currently on the path to getting healthier. Xavier Legette returns today, with Brady Christensen, Mike Jackson, and possibly more due back as soon as next week.
That is all good news that should help the Panthers overcome any future officiating shenanigans, though it mostly good news for Weeks 11 and onward.
Unfortunately, for Panthers fans, the team may be in for another sloppily called game today as Friday’s nationwide groundstop on all air travel has caused some changes for today’s game. The referee will be a back-up referee and there will be no on site replay official. All replays will automatically be handled by the replay center in New York. What could go wrong?
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