What were the key takeaways from the Carolina Panthers’ loss in Week 14?
Another week, another disappointing loss at the death for the Carolina Panthers against the Denver Broncos. It didn’t take long for their pre-bye week struggles to rear their ugly head and they left themselves with too much to do thanks to a poor start and an inability to come through in the clutch yet again.
This is becoming increasingly frustrating and the fact the same outcome keeps happening again and again just shows that the Carolina Panthers aren’t making the necessary adjustments. They have lost seven games this season by one score and this is a trend that cannot continue if the organization wants to become a realistic postseason contender sooner rather than later.
Denver was their most winnable game remaining on the schedule. Now there is a real chance they finish the campaign on a sour note that would leave plenty questioning just how long this expected rebuild is going to take.
Here are ten big takeaways for the Panthers following their disappointing loss to the Broncos at Bank of America Stadium.
Takeaway No. 1
Players in the doghouse
It didn’t take long to figure out the level of displeasure Matt Rhule has regarding his players holding a social gathering away from the team facility during the bye week. Those involved didn’t start the game and although this lasted for only a couple of snaps each, it was a statement that things like this will not be tolerated moving forward.
This didn’t have much in the way of an impact on the game. But the message was clear.
Preparations for Carolina’s game against the Broncos were significantly disrupted due to this lack of discipline and Rhule has made it clear in no uncertain terms that this lack of awareness was a clear breach of trust.
Woeful protection
After a bright start to the season, things have tailed off significantly for the Carolina Panthers from a protection perspective. This was arguably their worst collective performance of the campaign and even though quarterback Teddy Bridgewater should be doing better, he wasn’t exactly aided by the group in front of him.
This is especially evident on the interior and it wouldn’t be the biggest surprise if the Panthers moved on from John Miller, Matt Paradis, and Chris Reed all at the same time next spring. Russell Okung also looked his age on the edge and only stud right tackle Taylor Moton emerged from the game with any semblance of credit.
Jeremy Chinn produces the goods – again
It was a disappointing game overall for the Panthers. But the one shining light yet again was Jeremy Chinn. The stud outside linebacker further enhanced his claims for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors with a standout display that stood out like a sore thumb due to the lack of production elsewhere.
There is nothing Chinn cannot do on the football field. He is an elite player in the making and for all Marty Hurney’s faults in recent years, the general manager deserves a tremendous amount of credit for trading up to take the former Southern Illinois product at No. 64 overall.
Rough day for Rasul Douglas
The Panthers have gotten some nice production from free-agent signing Rasul Douglas this season. But this was an afternoon to forget for the cornerback.
Douglas was smoked on three big plays – two that eventually ended with KJ Hamler scores – which was not exactly the best way to begin a critical few games between now and the end of the season that could be the difference in getting an extension of moving on.
Teddy Bridgewater fails to deliver
We spoke at length during the week about how much was on the line for Teddy Bridgewater down the stretch. If the Carolina Panthers quarterback wanted to get off on a high note against the Broncos, he failed miserably.
Bridgewater is clearly suffering from confidence issues. He was unable to move the ball efficiently, most of his third-down throws were well behind the chains, and there wasn’t the courage of his convictions we’ve been craving to see from the signal-caller for almost the entirety of the season.
If there was pressure on Bridgewater going into the game, then there is now no question whatsoever he is fighting for his long-term future in Carolina over the next three contests.
Another ‘nearly’ day for Brian Burns
Brian Burns has the explosiveness to get himself to the spot quickly. Finishing off plays more consistently has been something of a problem.
He is still putting up tremendous numbers, of that there is little doubt. But Burns arriving quickly won’t be enough if the former Florida State standout wants to be considered among the NFL’s elite pass-rushers.
Donte Jackson looked good
One of the more encouraging aspects of the game that went relatively under the radar was the performance of Donte Jackson. The cornerback has been out of action for almost a month with a toe problem that’s bothered him all season. But he looked more like the player of old with an accomplished display on the outside.
The Panthers handled him with care, as they probably should with relatively little to play for other than pride this season. Jackson did go down late in the game which is yet another concern and the last thing that Carolina needs is for the knock to be anything serious.
Game management struggles late
Once again, the Carolina Panthers got within a score and were in the red-zone with a shot to tie the game. Instead, yet more disappointing game management in a critical situation resulted in a delay of game penalty and eventually settling for a Joey Slye field goal.
Sound familiar?
This has been the story of the 2020 season. Whether it’s offensive coordinator Joe Brady isn’t getting the plays in quick enough or Teddy Bridgewater is trying to do too much at the line of scrimmage, it just isn’t good enough and screams a lack of awareness or ability to adjust quickly.
The Carolina Panthers defense kept them in it
For all Carolina’s faults, and there were plenty. One thing that cannot be put into question is how much this team continues to fight for one another.
This was especially evident late in the game from a defensive standpoint, who came up big on a crucial three-and-out that saw Brian Burns and Jeremy Chinn come to the fore when it mattered most.
Sadly, and probably predictably, the offense didn’t live up to their end of the bargain yet again with the game on the line.
Joe Brady’s play-calling was awful
The hype surrounding Joe Brady possibly getting a head coaching gig after this season is fading with every passing week. Some of the decisions made by the offensive coordinator were shocking, to say the least, and it didn’t seem to give Bridgewater any sort of chance to move the chains in crucial situations.
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This is Brady’s first year calling plays at the next level. It has been a steep and sometimes hard learning curve, which will hopefully serve him well next time around.