4 things we discovered about the Carolina Panthers in Week 8

Carolina Panthers defense is officially playoff-ready

The defense hasn’t exactly been helped out by the other side of the football lately. This has seen them tire down the stretch of contests and give up more yardage than they were accustomed to earlier in the campaign.

That all changed at the Atlanta Falcons.

Phil Snow’s unit was firing on all cylinders from start to finish, displaying the sort of aggressiveness and mindset that makes this one of the best groups in the entire league when everything clicks into place.

Even head coach Matt Rhule finally admitted in his Monday presser that the Carolina Panthers are a defensive-minded team. Reliant on this talented group to keep them in games when things aren’t going according to plan offensively.

"“We’re going to have to terms with, we’re a defensive football team, and when we play good defense and win the takeaway battle, we’re going to win games. Part of that on offense is running the football. I’d like to score more touchdowns in the red zone, and we had a chance to do that.”"

The return of Shaq Thompson and Stephon Gilmore’s exceptional debut only heightens expectations on this side of the field. Carolina is blessed with an embarrassment of riches at almost every position and if Juston Burris also comes back from injury sooner rather than later, there is just no telling how far this defense can take the Panthers.

This is a fast, hungry, and physical bunch. One that is sure to give rookie quarterback Mac Jones all he can handle in Week 9.