3 potential problems facing the Panthers vs. Saints in Week 17
By Dean Jones
Quarterback confidence
Even though the Carolina Panthers picked up a much-needed win at Washington in Week 16, the performance of Teddy Bridgewater left a lot to be desired once again. The quarterback is running out of chances to convince people he is the man to lead the team moving forward and regardless of how the player performs against the Saints, there is sure to be plenty of speculation surrounding his future this offseason.
Bridgewater hasn’t done enough.
It’s just that simple.
There have been some nice moments, which makes the disappointing elements of Bridgewater’s play even more frustrating. The Panthers bet big on him during free agency and it’s safe to say he hasn’t quite lived up to his three-year, $63 million deal with a $15 million signing bonus and $33 million guaranteed as yet.
Bridgewater produced arguably his best game of the campaign against New Orleans earlier this season. The signal-caller had a point to prove at his old stomping ground and although Joey Slye missed a field goal to tie things up late on, there was a lot to like about the way he applied himself.
Things haven’t gone according to plan since and perhaps for the first time in his dramatic career, there does appear to be a confidence problem where Bridgewater is concerned.