Carolina Panthers cannot come through in the clutch
The Carolina Panthers have had a real problem coming through in the clutch since Matt Rhule took charge. Often this team’s defense has played their hearts out – getting stop after stop and making plays to set the offense up – with nothing to show for it in the end.
Every week the story is the same. Whether you blame Rhule, Baker Mayfield, or the offense as a whole, it always ends with the Panthers’ offense or special teams finding ways to lose.
While there have been times the defense has let go of the rope, the main issue for Carolina is their inability in key situations. This speaks not just to the quarterback or the head coach but the culture overall.
This team has been searching for a new identity since Cam Newton left Carolina in 2020. The former NFL MVP coming back last season didn’t change much and it was something he was critical of during an emotional exit presser.
The Panthers are a team that lacks an identity. They are completely and utterly lost and that isn’t going to change until substantial changes are made.
It feels as if Carolina is simply throwing things at the wall, desperately hoping something works. However, it doesn’t leave them with any answers when the game is on the line.