It wasn't pretty. Nobody associated with the Carolina Panthers cared.
Dave Canales has the first winning streak of his head coaching tenure after the Panthers saw off the New York Giants. Things aren't perfect and there are still elements to clean up, but confidence is growing as the Panthers embark on their extended rest period during the bye week.
Whether this is the start of a strong end to the campaign is anyone's guess. The post-bye schedule doesn't look especially promising for a team sitting at 3-7. However, there is some genuine momentum building at a time when all hope seemed lost.
That's something for Canales to take from their two straight victories. Nobody is expecting miracles from the Panthers, but they remain bought in and are fighting hard to shift some concerning narratives. This is a far cry from the complete capitulation last season when things unraveled quickly.
What the future holds is undetermined. For now, here are five winners and two losers from Carolina's triumph over the Giants in Week 10.
Winners and losers from Carolina Panthers' triumph vs. NY Giants
Winner No. 1
D.J. Wonnum - Carolina Panthers OLB
There was a keen level of excitement among fans after D.J. Wonnum was active for the first time. The edge rusher suffered complications with a torn quad that came with concerning blood clots, so having him back was a major boost for the Carolina Panthers.
He was eager to make up for lost time. Wonnum looked explosive in pass-rushing situations to secure two sacks. Perhaps most impressive was his ability to set the edge and get around the action on running downs. He was a constant menace, which was highly impressive when one considers how long he's been away from a competitive environment.
This provided a sense of vindication regarding Wonnum's arrival from the Minnesota Vikings in free agency. Providing there are no lingering issues moving forward, the former Michigan State star promises to play a significant role after the bye week - something that will also make things easier for veteran Jadeveon Clowney along the way.
After a woeful first start of 2024 for Ejiro Evero's defense, there is a glimmer of hope at long last.
Loser No. 1
Dane Jackson - Carolina Panthers CB
Most players acquitted themselves well on international soil in Germany. There weren't many holes to pick apart, although the opposition couldn't be classed as stellar by any stretch of the imagination. However, one couldn't look at Dane Jackson's contribution with anything other than disappointment.
Jackson joined the Carolina Panthers this offseason. Dan Morgan was a huge fan of the defensive back from their time together on the Buffalo Bills. His stint with the franchise hasn't gone according to plan thanks to injuries and poor performances.
As Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson Sr. once again excelled, the former seventh-round selection found life difficult. He was a yard off in coverage over the first half and is taking time to find his football legs again. Hopefully, things can progress once he picks up additional health during the bye week.
The Panthers' defense can ill afford any weak links on a unit that is finally showing signs of life. Jackson needs to step it up or risk being cast aside as an afterthought.
Winner No. 2
Josey Jewell - Carolina Panthers LB
There was no time for Josey Jewell to integrate himself slowly into the defensive plans upon returning from injury. The Panthers needed the veteran linebacker firing on all cylinders immediately, which was thanks in no small part to the absence of Shaq Thompson for the entire campaign.
It's been hit or miss for Jewell since joining the Panthers. However, his performance against the Giants was the best since arriving in free agency by a considerable margin.
Jewell set the tone in all phases. He was ferocious in attacking runners. He managed to keep quarterback Daniel Jones contained and limited his space when he began to scramble. The former fourth-round pick out of Iowa also made his presence felt in the passing game with two breakups to enhance his influence further.
Couple this with six tackles and a tackle for loss, it's not hard to see why Jewell played such an influential role in Carolina's international success. He's set a high bar for himself, which must be matched when the Panthers welcome the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs after the bye week.
Winner No. 3
A'Shawn Robinson - Carolina Panthers DL
All the talk before the contest centered on this being a revenge game for former Carolina Panthers edge rusher Brian Burns after the player's relationship with the previous regime went way beyond boiling point. Nobody mentioned the fact that A'Shawn Robinson was also going up versus his old employers.
Robinson spent the 2023 campaign with the New York Giants before things fizzled out. He was eager to remind them what they were missing with a display of pure dominance at the Allianz Arena in Munich.
Simply put, the imposing defensive lineman was the best player on the field. He was a strong presence against the run, using his length to make things extremely difficult and meet runners quickly at the contact point. There was also a lot to like about his ability to generate pressure, which hasn't always been his strength.
The former second-round selection out of Alabama was a revelation. Robinson finished with seven tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, and one quarterback hit. But the statistics don't do his overall impact justice. He was sensational from start to finish.
Winner No. 4
Chuba Hubbard - Carolina Panthers RB
It was a memorable week for Chuba Hubbard. The running back earned himself a lucrative four-year extension after proving his worth as a core foundational piece. This came in for some criticism in the media, but the former fourth-round selection silenced his doubters with an emphatic performance versus the Giants.
This was Hubbard's crowning career moment so far. He was nothing short of relentless, displaying patience before gaps emerged and exploiting them with explosiveness and elusiveness in equal measure behind Carolina's outstanding offensive line.
The Panthers went away from the ground game that was working so successfully for a brief period. Once Hubbard got the lion's share of responsibilities yet again, the Oklahoma State product got his team over the line.
Hubbard eventually finished the game with 153 rushing yards and a touchdown from 28 carries. He also brought in four receptions from six targets for 16 receiving yards. This was exactly why the Panthers have so much faith in the backfield presence, who'll remain a focal point even when rookie second-rounder Jonathon Brooks returns after the bye week.
Loser No. 2
David Moore - Carolina Panthers WR
The Carolina Panthers didn't have the benefit of veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen once again. They are erring on the side of caution as he nears a return from his torn hamstring. One would expect to see him after the bye week, which could be the end of David Moore's prominent involvement based on this showing.
Moore is a square peg in a round hole. The Panthers are moving forward with a young core who are all developing encouraging chemistry with improving quarterback Bryce Young. Once Thielen comes back to become the possession receiver capable of dependability on short to intermediate routes, things are only going to improve.
That might come at the expense of Moore, who lacks explosiveness and suffers from concentration issues on occasion. He brought in two receptions from four targets for 18 receiving yards against the New York Giants. His only punt return went for a measly six yards to round off a mildly disappointing afternoon at the office.
The Panthers dug deep to secure success despite Moore's lack of production. But it would be a surprise if the former seventh-round selection was involved much after the bye with Thielen eager to get back involved.
Winner No. 5
Joe Gilbert - Carolina Panthers OL coach
The Panthers offensive line is dealing with some injury problems. Starting center Austin Corbett is a long-term absentee after suffering a season-ending torn bicep. Left tackle Ikem Ekwonu missed his second-straight game, which was a potential problem considering how prolific the Giants' defensive front is when firing on all cylinders.
Once again, the offensive line didn't miss a beat. One could signal out almost anybody across the unit for their outstanding production and cohesiveness. Instead, we're going to give Joe Gilbert some well-deserved plaudits.
Carolina's new offensive line coach is doing a remarkable job in difficult circumstances. Gilbert has his men ready for battle and aware of their assignments every week regardless of who's starting. They are fundamentally sound. They communicate well and keep things churning even without some established figures to call upon.
One only has to look at how Brady Christensen and Cade Mays are performing to see that. Both players struggled for consistency under previous regimes. Both have a new lease of life under Gilbert, who is undoubtedly one of the best additions made by head coach Dave Canales.