If I had a nickel for every time the Carolina Panthers got off to a promising start against an AFC East opponent then had several unforced but critical errors snowball into a margin of defeat nearing 30
points – I’d have two nickels. Which isn’t a lot, but it’s weird that it happened twice.
Or maybe it’s not weird at all, and probably should have been expected. You could have told me it was a Buffalo Bills team coming in fresh after a bye week (after which their head coach has never lost a game), with serious Super Bowl aspirations, a reigning MVP award-winning quarterback, a 1,000 yard running back who led the NFL in touchdowns last year and a former Panthers team captain with intimate knowledge of the Panthers coaching staff? Yes, in hindsight, it should have been obvious the Panthers were about to walk into a buzzsaw.
Oh, and the Panthers were playing with their immobile back-up quarterback and suffered a number of other key injuries before the game had gone entirely off the rails. And yet… those excuses do nothing to soothe the wounds. There are no excuses for giving up 216 yards rushing, having 13 missed tackles, turning the ball over 3 times and losing a game by over 4 touchdowns.
At least none that fans are willing to hear.
After the Panthers first beatdown at the hands of the New England Patriots, head coach Dave Canales made it known that he was conferring with the coaching staff and the team’s leaders to sort out the team’s issues before their next game. After his press conference on Monday, it looks like Canales’ is taking a similar approach this week. I guess if it worked so well the first time, might as well do it again.
For this week’s game review, we’ll take a similar look at the state of the Panthers performance and make note of what the team will need to start doing, stop doing and continue doing to achieve some worthwhile results moving forward.
Start… Rico Dowdle
Let’s get the low hanging fruit out of the way: Dowdle is the the best and most productive running back currently on the roster and should take the majority of the snaps at the position moving forward. I can respect providing Chuba Hubbard, who has been the heart and soul of the team for the past couple years, an opportunity to prove himself after coming back from an injury. Unfortunately, the sample size is now large enough and the disparity between the two back’s production is so clear and obvious (Dowdle nearly tripling Hubbard’s yards per carry) it’s time to hurt some feelings and make the better back the bell-cow. Based on Canales’ words to the media Monday afternoon, that writing may already be on the wall. The book is far from closed on Hubbard, but right now it’s Dowdle’s time.
Stop… making it so unnecessarily difficult
It doesn’t have to be this hard, and yet certain decisions by both the players and coaches make it seem as if they are hell-bent on making it as difficult as possible. Throw the ball away when there isn’t anyone open. If you’re 36 years-old, maybe don’t try to scramble for a first down while surrounded by players 10 years your junior. If there is a receiver open, give them a catchable pass. If you’re the open receiver, catch the ball if it hits you in the hands. Tackle the ball carrier when they’re in front of you. If one player is proving to be the best option at their position, stick to them until proven otherwise.
Continue… leaning on the the young and talented playmakers
If there is one blessing, it is that a lot of the players making the most positive impact on the field are the same ones considered to be the long-term building blocks. Tetairoa McMillan continues to produce as the Panthers number one option in the passing game. Fellow rookie Mitchell Evans looks like a Day 3 steal that already may be the Panthers best tight end. Ikem Ekwonu and Damien Lewis have anchored the left side of the offensive line. Jalen Coker, Jimmy Horn Jr and Xavier Legette have each had flashes in October. Derrick Brown looks like an All-Pro. Nic Scourton’s effort is unmatched and is starting to turn into stat production. Jaycee Horn is a playmaker. Trevin Wallace has shown significant signs of improvement and is developing into a worthwhile starter. Continue to rely on these players and find what works with everyone else on the roster.
We’ll see you again here next week once the Panthers complete their trip to Lambeau Field to take on another Super Bowl contender in the Green Bay Packers.
