The Carolina Panthers were aiming to remind the NFL why they were considered a trendy pick for a deep playoff run on Thursday Night Football against the Green Bay Packers. They were also highly motivated to right the wrong of last weekend's humiliating defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Sadly, the Panthers lost. They were second-best throughout the prime-time clash at Lambeau Field. And as quarterback Bryce Young said after the game, they didn't deserve to get anything out of it.
This puts the Panthers at 3-4 heading into the midseason point. Questions are being asked of head coach Dave Canales, and pressure is building. Carolina made moves that suggested it was ready to take the next step this season, and the same flaws keep holding them back.
Sorting out these issues at the mini-bye is crucial. But with the Denver Broncos next up, things might get worse before they get better.
That's for the future. For now, here are three winners and five losers from the Panthers' Week 8 defeat.
Winners and losers from the Carolina Panthers' painful defeat to the Green Bay Packers
Loser No. 1
Luke Fortner - Carolina Panthers OL
This is starting to become tedious. Luke Fortner lands on this list every week, reflecting his abysmal performances throughout the campaign. And yet, the Panthers keep him in the starting lineup without exploring alternatives.
Fortner started this game on the back foot, and he never recovered. His confidence is lacking right now, and though there were some decent flashes in his run blocking, the veteran center just looks lost.
Unlike most other areas of the line, the Panthers have options. Rookie Sam Hecht and Brady Christensen could both come in and probably do a better job than Fortner, who just isn't cut out for starting responsibilities on this subpar protection.
That might be harsh, but the tape speaks for itself.
Winner No. 1
Marco Wilson - Carolina Panthers CB
The Panthers are going through some real cornerback issues right now. Things got even worse at Lambeau Field when rookie fourth-rounder Will Lee III was forced off the field with a hamstring injury, leaving Ejiro Evero's unit decimated.
Marco Wilson, called up from the practice squad to start immediately, was tasked with a lot. Aside from a couple of concentration errors, the veteran acquitted himself well, and if Lee is out for a significant period, he will probably be called up to the active roster.
Wilson made plays in coverage. He anticipated things well and easily outperformed expectations. His experience, despite not playing meaningful reps for years, was invaluable, and the defensive back was way down the list of Carolina's problems on another difficult evening.
Add us as a preferred source on Google