4 things Panthers fans can look forward to after the 2022 bye week
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers could finish strong
The Carolina Panthers are 3-4 since Steve Wilks replaced Matt Rhule. This represents an outstanding achievement for a head coach that’s dealt with some significant adversity since his well-deserved promotion.
Wilks took over a team that was devoid of any real confidence. The Panthers also traded Christian McCaffrey and Robbie Anderson before the deadline – two prominent offensive weapons that formed a key part of Carolina’s strategy.
Despite this, Wilks is thriving and there are plenty of calls for team owner David Tepper to remove the interim tag at the earliest possible opportunity. And looking at the schedule, there’s a good chance for the Panthers to finish the campaign strongly over the next five games.
The Panthers have just one team with a winning record remaining as it stands. According to Pro Football Focus, they also possess the seventh-easiest strength of schedule for good measure.
Getting a win at the Seattle Seahawks in Week 14 would be a signature moment for Wilks. It could also spark a mini-winning run that would likely cement the popular figure as Rhule’s successor long-term.
Of course, nothing is guaranteed where the Panthers are concerned. We’ve seen things go horribly wrong before, but this roster is made of sterner stuff thanks to Wilks’ presence, ability to lead men, and preparation far better than his predecessor.