Carolina Panthers fans were expectant heading into their Week 10 game against the New Orleans Saints. Their opposition had won just once all season, and head coach Dave Canales' squad was coming off a stunning upset over the Green Bay Packers with the chance to go 6-4 on the campaign.
It should have been so simple. But it didn't take long to figure out that this was going to be a typically disappointing Panthers performance, given that a massive opportunity was staring them in the face.
The Panthers weren't at the races. They started sluggishly and never picked things up from there. New Orleans built confidence, and rookie quarterback Tyler Shough grew more comfortable as the contest progressed. Carolina lost the encounter comfortably, taking a significant step back along the way.
This was a gut punch of epic proportions. The Saints knew precisely how to nullify the Panthers, and Canales had no response. Even when they got some good fortune, they couldn't take advantage of it. And although all hope is not lost just yet, it makes Carolina's trip to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 11 a must-win in no uncertain terms.
That's for the not-too-distant future. For now, here are five losers and two winners from Carolina's embarrassing loss at Bank of America Stadium.
Winners and losers from the Carolina Panthers' defeat to the Saints
Loser No. 1
Trevin Wallace - Carolina Panthers LB
In fairness to Trevin Wallace, he doesn't appear on this list because of his performance. The second-year linebacker flashed immense promise once again. He is not the finished article by any stretch of the imagination, but his explosiveness on blitzes and ability to be around the football consistently popped during the opening exchanges.
Unfortunately for Wallace, his momentum came screeching to an abrupt halt. The No. 72 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft suffered a shoulder complication that he tried valiantly to fight through before the Panthers erred on the side of caution. Hopefully, it's nothing too serious, but the second-level presence is in danger of having his positivity swept from underneath him at the worst possible time.
Wallace's presence was sorely missed whenever he was off the field. The energy levels dipped, and the Saints took full advantage. That's a sign of how influential he's becoming, but it's also a sign of the team's lack of legitimate depth behind the starting linebacking tandem.
Fans will be keeping a close eye on Wallace's status this week, especially with Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson next in the line of fire.
Loser No. 2
Jaycee Horn - Carolina Panthers CB
The Carolina Panthers don't have many truly elite players. Pro Bowl cornerback Jaycee Horn is one of them, but Week 10 was not his most profitable afternoon at the office by any stretch of the imagination.
Horn was unusually shaky, which isn't in keeping with the way he's gone about his business this season. He gave up a deep touchdown to wide receiver Chris Olave, though one could point to a potential push-off that caused the former South Carolina standout to fall over.
Suspect footing once again got the better of Horn later in the contest. He fell again as the Saints threw for another score. The No. 8 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft took full responsibility for the team's failings, stating that he cost the Panthers in critical moments and will be a lot better moving forward.
Everyone is entitled to a bad day. Horn's had very few of them since being drafted, so hopefully this is nothing more than a blip.
Winner No. 1
Derrick Brown - Carolina Panthers DL
There weren't many players who emerged from Week 10 with credit. It was a disastrous outing when much was expected, the 11th time since 2021 that the Panthers have lost when favored in a game.
Not for the first time this season, Pro Bowl defensive lineman Derrick Brown was a shining light amid the chaos. The interior force is playing at an All-Pro level, consistently moving the pile despite being the primary target of the New Orleans Saints' offensive line. If others had met their end of the bargain, perhaps the Panthers would have been more competitive.
That wasn't to be. Brown is clearly getting sick and tired of the team's fluctuating form. His elite-level production deserves better, and the sooner Carolina finds a happy medium to be more consistent, the better its chances will be.
Brown isn't interested in anything other than team accomplishments. But he continues to stand out as a massive positive.
Loser No. 3
Bryce Young - Carolina Panthers QB
The Saints put this game squarely on the shoulders of Bryce Young. They keyed in on preventing running back Rico Dowdle from dictating proceedings, and they had a great deal of success. And unfortunately for the Panthers, the third-year quarterback fell way short of even modest targets.
Young's inability to stretch the field was exposed in no uncertain terms. He looked hesitant as pressure swarmed in his face. One can point to the conservative play-calling from head coach Dave Canales, but he could see how the signal-caller was performing.
This was a significant step back for Young. The Saints knew precisely how to make him uncomfortable. His decision-making for the interception and fumble was inexcusable. After managing games effectively in recent weeks, he looked more like the player who was benched just two games into Canales' tenure last season.
A significant response from Young is needed. Otherwise, the questions surrounding his ability to be the guy will continue to come up.
Loser No. 4
Rico Dowdle - Carolina Panthers RB
Rico Dowdle was riding on the crest of a wave heading into this one. The veteran running back earned the No. 1 job after taking the league by storm when given the chance. But with increased exposure comes added attention from opposing defenses, which he found out to his cost in Week 10.
The New Orleans Saints were not going to let Dowdle beat them. They stacked the box early and often, confident that quarterback Bryce Young couldn't come through. His production took a severe dip, and it's clear the former South Carolina runner wasn't at 100 percent.
Dowdle mustered just 53 rushing yards and one touchdown from 18 carries. He was unable to generate any early momentum, which gave New Orleans the spark needed to dominate proceedings from then on. Again, this is probably just a blip, but it's given others a blueprint for countering Carolina's offensive strengths.
Winner No. 2
Nic Scourton - Carolina Panthers OLB
As previously mentioned, there wasn't much to legitimately cheer from the Panthers' perspective during their most dismal loss of the campaign by a considerable margin. However, the encouraging progress edge rusher Nic Scourton continues to demonstrate in a competitive setting was a rare shining light amid the abject misery.
Scourton is firmly entrenched as a starter with Patrick Jones II on season-ending injured reserve with a back issue. He's playing with urgency and a relentless motor. The No. 51 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft didn't look out of place, causing constant complications before the Saints began to steer their game plan away from the rookie in key moments.
This was another positive step forward from Scourton, although the overall team's failings were far more glaring. Regardless of how things unfold the rest of the way, it seems like the Panthers have a long-term starter on their hands who will only get better at 21 years old.
Loser No. 5
Xavier Legette - Carolina Panthers WR
Much of the blame will go on quarterback Bryce Young, and rightfully so. He's the man under center who couldn't drag his team out of a hole. However, the underperformance of wide receiver Xavier Legette was an overlooked cause of their demise.
The Panthers needed to rely more on their passing attack, and they couldn't find the correct solutions. Legette was doing a lot of cardio, but he was unable to create the separation needed to make a difference. Young overthrew him in the end zone when a slight gap emerged. That was the only time he was targeted throughout the contest.
The jury is still out on Legette. He's had some decent moments in recent weeks after a rough start, but there is nothing to suggest he'll become the player Carolina envisaged when they traded up to No. 32 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Legette is a non-factor far too often. That has to change moving forward.