The Carolina Panthers looked to bounce back as soon as possible. A short week might have helped after their blowout loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but head coach Dave Canales' squad couldn't dig deep enough.
Carolina came unstuck on Thursday Night Football against the Green Bay Packers. This puts them below .500 once again, and there are far more questions than answers regarding where this team is and how far they can go this season.
It's not what fans or those in the building envisioned. General manager Dan Morgan made aggressive moves to build on last season's playoff appearance, and even though injuries haven't helped, they still look a long way from the contending teams.
That's the long and short of it, and the Packers had no trouble exploiting Carolina's clear weaknesses.
With that in mind, here are 11 instant reactions from Carolina's crushing defeat at Lambeau Field.
Instant reactions from the Carolina Panthers' prime-time loss to the Green Bay Packers
Carolina Panthers need a rethink at center
The Panthers may need to rethink their center position. This may sound like a broken record, but veteran Luke Fortner once again showed the frailties that have blighted him for much of the campaign.
Something is amiss with Fortner right now. He doesn't look confident, and without left guard Damien Lewis alongside him on the left-hand side, he was exposed even further. The Packers knew this could be a weak link to exploit, and quarterback Bryce Young knew he needed to get the football out quickly to avoid getting put on his back.
With the Panthers now on their mini-bye, this might be the perfect chance to get rookie fifth-rounder Sam Hecht involved.
Another strong game from Chuba Hubbard
The Panthers knew they needed to rely on their ground game on the road at Lambeau Field. Fortunately, they have running back Chuba Hubbard, who has really stepped up with Jonathon Brooks on injured reserve.
Hubbard is the leading man, and he was the focal point early on. The Oklahoma State product set the tone, running aggressively while also helping as a pass blocker for good measure. Green Bay struggled to bring him down, and things were even more productive when he rushed behind tight end Tommy Tremble.
This was another positive outing from Hubbard, who'll be the No. 1 option even when Brooks returns to the fold.
Jackson Kuwatch's special-teams impact
Jackson Kuwatch is a development project. The seventh-round linebacker came out of college incredibly raw, but the Panthers felt like his outstanding athleticism could potentially become something more over time.
Kuwatch hasn't seen much action in the defensive rotation, but he's finding other ways to contribute. This is becoming more apparent on special teams, and this was arguably his best showing since entering the league.
The former Miami (Ohio) standout is playing to his strengths. Kuwatch has the instincts and closing speed that look tailor-made for special teams, and this performance suggests things are heading in the right direction.
Add us as a preferred source on Google