4 silver linings from the Panthers heartbreaking loss at Falcons in Week 8

What were the silver linings from another heartbreaking loss for the Carolina Panthers in Week 8 at the Atlanta Falcons?

Of all the defeats suffered by the Carolina Panthers in recent years, this one hurt more than most. The team had a big opportunity to seize control of the NFC South and looked well on course to beat the Atlanta Falcons before a series of errors down the stretch led to their eventual demise.

This was gut-wrenching in no uncertain terms. Carolina led late thanks to a phenomenal touchdown grab from D.J. Moore off a P.J. Walker laser, but a crucial penalty coupled with two misses from kicker Eddy Pineiro meant the Panthers had nothing to show for their efforts.

What comes next for Carolina is uncertain. They now sit at 2-6 through eight weeks and with a high-end draft pick in sight, many fans are calling on the organization to roll over in pursuit of finally landing a franchise quarterback in 2023.

That does appear unrealistic, in all honesty. Sunday’s game hurt beyond measure, but here are four silver linings the Panthers can take from Week 8 at the Falcons.

Silver Lining No. 1

Carolina Panthers have a new RB1

The Carolina Panthers took the difficult decision to trade away Christian McCaffrey to the San Francisco 49ers. However, it looks like they have a ready-made No. 1 option already on their roster based on D’Onta Foreman‘s outstanding performance in Week 8.

Foreman was the workhorse running back with Chuba Hubbard out through injury. This was a challenge he took on with tremendous determination en route to 118 rushing yards and three touchdowns from 26 carries.

Carolina didn’t come up with the goods late. But that does not detract from Foreman’s exceptional production, which could mean an extension at the end of the season if he continues in the same fashion.

Carolina Panthers saw progress from D.J. Moore

It’s been difficult for D.J. Moore throughout 2022 so far. The wide receiver was a relative afterthought over the first few weeks within Ben McAdoo’s system, with chemistry issues also proving too complicated to overcome given how late quarterback Baker Mayfield arrived before training camp.

However, the introduction of Steve Wilks as interim head coach and the presence of P.J. Walker under center for the Carolina Panthers has seen Moore return to the force of old. In Week 8 at the Atlanta Falcons, he was at his brilliant best.

Moore took advantage of a suspect Falcons secondary missing stud cornerback A.J. Terrell, grabbing six receptions from 11 targets for 152 receiving yards and a touchdown. There was even a moment when the former first-round selection looked to have won the game for Carolina after connecting on a jaw-dropping bomb from Walker in the dying moments.

Unfortunately, Moore took off his helmet during the frenzied celebrations, which was flagged and Eddy Pineiro couldn’t make the extra point attempt. The rest is history and left the Panthers going from potential division leaders to a top-three draft selection in the blink of an eye.

Despite the way this contest ended, it was the clearest sign yet that Moore looks primed for a strong second half of 2022. Just what that’ll do to Carolina’s overall fortunes is another matter.

P.J. Walker’s sensational 2nd half

P.J. Walker has gone from a complete afterthought to the Carolina Panthers’ best option at quarterback in 2022. A remarkable turn of events for someone that would likely have been released had it not been for injuries to Sam Darnold and Matt Corral before the campaign began.

Sunday’s game at the Atlanta Falcons started slowly from Walker’s perspective. He missed some wide-open throws and looked nervous in the pocket throughout the first half, but the turnaround was almost miraculous from the former Temple star immediately after.

Walker’s poise and urgency noticeably increased. The signal-caller made some big-time throws and almost got the Panthers to a memorable triumph thanks to his sensational deep effort to D.J. Moore with time expiring.

This was arguably the league’s best throw of the season. Something that drew widespread praise from analysts and even left Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in awe on social media.

Sadly for Walker, it wasn’t enough to get a second-straight victory. But his performance left no doubt that he should continue starting over the likes of Baker Mayfield and Darnold for the rest of the season unless something drastic occurs.

If nothing else, Walker has earned that right.

Carolina Panthers looked like a real football team

It didn’t end up with a positive result. But the Carolina Panthers are starting to look like a real football team again.

For fans, it’s been a long time since they could utter those words.

Much has been made of the turbulent three years spent under Matt Rhule’s almost absolute power. It’s been a small sample size, but interim head coach Steve Wilks looks to have installed more belief in this talented group that they can become more competitive in the coming weeks.

There were moments of poor play and the discipline issues were there for all to see late on. However, this was another slight step in the right direction for an organization devoid of any confidence before Rhule was removed from the equation.

Although their record might not suggest it, the Panthers are not far away from having a team that can potentially enter the postseason picture. Therefore, it is essential they hit big on their recruitment next offseason and also find the right head coach to get this franchise back to relevancy.

Wilks is well on the way to being genuinely considered.

The respected figure is loved within the locker room and is looking to right the wrong that took place when he was head coach of the Arizona Cardinals. But this is entirely dependent on how team owner David Tepper perceives things, which is unpredictable, to put it mildly.