Carolina Panthers playoff hopes dashed after Patriots Week 9 loss
By Dean Jones
Where do the Carolina Panthers’ playoff hopes stand following their Week 9 game against the New England Patriots at Bank of America Stadium?
There was plenty at stake for the Carolina Panthers during their Week 9 clash against the New England Patriots. Getting back to .500 at the Atlanta Falcons was a positive step for the franchise after a disastrous four-game skid, but it was vital they started putting a solid run of results together before the bye in pursuit of reaching the postseason.
If the Panthers did sneak into a playoff spot, it would be the biggest indicator yet that the team is heading in the right direction under Matt Rhule. The head coach has come in for some criticism for the way he’s handled in-game situational football lately, but his meeting of the minds with Bill Belichick was a significant measuring stick for a man Carolina has placed a large amount of faith in.
There were two huge boosts before the game with the return of Christian McCaffrey following a five-game absence and the surprise news of Sam Darnold being ready to go. The quarterback was limited for most of the week before clearing the NFL’s concussion protocol at the last minute, and the Panthers felt his shoulder problem wasn’t serious enough to sit him out.
With the added spice of Stephon Gilmore playing his home debut at Bank of America Stadium against the team that discarded him for nothing more than a 2023 sixth-round pick, the stakes could not be higher for the Panthers in pursuit of securing a winning record.
As it turned out, the Patriots won out.
Carolina Panthers playoff hopes after Week 9 loss
Despite the loss, things are still hanging on a knife-edge for the Panthers and their hopes of attaining postseason football. Nothing is set in stone just yet, but next weekend’s trip to the Arizona Cardinals will be a stern test of their credentials and one that they might not emerge victoriously from.
The same cannot be said of contests against the Washington Football Team and Miami Dolphins before the bye. Two of the league’s bottom-feeders massively underachieving this season.
Sunday’s game against a Patriots team who are far from the prolific force of old was a harsh loss. However, it’s hard to look at Carolina’s fixtures from Week 14 onwards with anything other than concern.
The NFC couldn’t be classed as particularly strong outside of the top four or five contenders. So there might be a sneaky chance for the Panthers to secure a wildcard spot if they can pick up some surprising wins down the stretch.
Easier said than done, obviously.
And in all honesty, having a losing record through the first nine games should be better when one considers the standard of opposition.
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It’s been a learning curve, and there are some areas of the Panthers roster that already appear more than ready for playoff action. But until other areas are sorted out in a satisfactory fashion, Carolina will only get so far.