5 key talking points from the Carolina Panthers’ pathetic Week 9 loss

Carolina Panther kicker Zane Gonzalez is the only offensive hope

Thank goodness for Zane Gonzalez.

In the past three weeks, the Carolina Panthers have scored 28 points, including extra points.  Gonzalez has 22 of them and he was perfect again Sunday hitting field goals from 49 and 39 yards.

Gonzalez has now made eight straight from 40 plus, which is the longest active streak in the NFL. Considering the struggles the Panthers have had offensively, the emergence of the seventh-round selection has been a real bright spot.

It feels good to have complete confidence in a kicker knowing he’s basically automatic. The former Arizona Cardinal seems to have found a home in Carolina and is playing his way toward a multi-year extension this offseason, as he seems to be the only way the Panthers can currently score points.

It was also another solid outing for punter Lachlan Edwards. With starter Joseph Charlton designated to return from the reserve/injured list, the pressure was on the Aussie, but he responded well with his four punts for 205 yards giving him an average of 51.3 yards.

This gives the Panthers staff some thinking to do if Charlton is ready to face Arizona this coming Sunday.