There was newfound optimism around the Carolina Panthers heading into their Week 4 road game against the New England Patriots. A shutout win over the Atlanta Falcons gave them the confidence needed when all hope seemed lost. What followed was a depressingly familiar feeling for fans.
The Panthers were soundly beaten. They gave up more than 40 points and struggled to generate any offensive production. Their special-teams unit also failed to meet expectations, so it was a dismal day at the office that nobody will remember with any great fondness.
Dave Canales is coming under fire. He was outcoached by Mike Vrabel. He couldn't find the correct answers, and his players weren't prepared to play. This is becoming a worrying feature of his tenure so far, and team owner David Tepper looked furious when spotted leaving Gillette Stadium after the defeat.
Carolina #Panthers owner David Tepper after his team lost 42-13 to the #Patriots to fall to 1-3. pic.twitter.com/14XlxGsMsA
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) September 28, 2025
The heat is building. And if the Panthers cannot dispose of the Miami Dolphins next time around, there will be a few people in that building nervously looking over their shoulders.
That's for the future. For now, here are six losers and one winner from the Panthers' demoralizing defeat to the Patriots.
Winners and losers from the Carolina Panthers' ugly loss against the Patriots
Loser No. 1
Carolina Panthers linebackers
This was a concern before the season. It's being magnified further, and general manager Dan Morgan needs to take action in his quest to turn the tide.
The Carolina Panthers' linebacking duo of Christian Rozeboom and Trevin Wallace isn't up to the required standard. They are a complete liability in coverage and just as bad against the run. There is no confidence in them, and it shows. This is a far cry from the days when Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis Sr. used to dominate games on their own.
Something must be done. Morgan has stood pat at the defensive second level, even after releasing veteran starter Josey Jewell due to concussion issues. It was a gamble that doesn't seem to be paying off, and he needs to make the correct adjustments to avoid another campaign falling by the wayside.
Rozeboom has the trust of Ejiro Evero. Morgan traded up in the 2024 draft for Wallace. It's no surprise to see them get a longer leash than most, but this performance should be the tipping point.
If they're starting once again versus the Dolphins, Mike McDaniel has the dynamic weapons to cause complete havoc. That'll come with even graver ramifications attached.
Loser No. 2
D.J. Johnson - Carolina Panthers OLB
D.J. Johnson came into the game on the back of his most impressive performance since being drafted. However, as has typically been the case throughout his career, he was unable to build on it.
The Carolina Panthers traded up to acquire Johnson at No. 80 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. This was a grave error of judgment, but the absence of D.J. Wonnum and Patrick Jones II thrust the former Oregon standout into a starting role once again.
This was Johnson's moment to prove worthy of being a long-term piece of the puzzle. He failed to capitalize. He didn't generate any meaningful pressure. He was unable to maintain his gap discipline against the run. The New England Patriots exploited him as a weak link, and they took great pleasure in doing so.
Johnson is not an NFL-caliber starter. There is no denying that after what he's put on tape.
DJ Johnson should not play another snap
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) September 28, 2025
Loser No. 3
Carolina Panthers offensive line
The Panthers' offensive line is noticeably missing the presence of stud right guard Robert Hunt. They've flashed dominant capabilities at times this season, but this was arguably their worst performance of the campaign so far.
New England's defense front managed to collapse the pocket with alarming frequency. The Panthers gave up no fewer than 13 pressures in the first half, and things didn't get much better after that. Taylor Moton was unsurprisingly the best of a bad bunch, but the interior crumbled almost from start to finish.
Hopefully, this is just a blip rather than the beginning of something more concerning. The protection needs to set the tone. It relaxes everybody — Bryce Young, included. When it doesn't meet expectations, that's where the problems arise.
Next up is a stern test against the Miami Dolphins' pass-rushing trio of Bradley Chubb, Chop Robinson, and Jaelan Phillips. Anything less than supreme execution won't be tolerated.
Loser No. 4
Tre'von Moehrig - Carolina Panthers S
Tre'von Moehrig was nothing short of sensational last weekend against the Falcons. The standout safety looked explosive, made things happen closer to the line of scrimmage, and displayed the dominant traits Carolina expected when they spent lavish sums to bring him on board in free agency.
Moehrig didn't build on this outstanding performance versus the New England Patriots. The former TCU standout looked a lot more sluggish than usual. He was slow to the contact point and didn't showcase the physicality needed to make a difference. This was a bad combination that wasn't exactly helped by Carolina's linebackers failing to meet expectations.
The Panthers' defense regressed. Moehrig wasn't the only one to blame, but he's held to a higher standard. A massive response is needed, especially with the explosive Miami Dolphins offense coming to town in Week 5 for a must-win contest with significant implications.
Loser No. 5
Ejiro Evero - Carolina Panthers DC
The Carolina Panthers garnered significant praise for their defensive improvements in Week 3. Ejiro Evero's unit quickly reverted to type with an abysmal showing against the New England Patriots.
This was much more like the Panthers' defense fans were forced to sit through last season. There was no consistent pressure on quarterback Drake Maye. The run defense gave up more than 100 yards and three touchdowns. There were several frustrating missed tackles in key moments to compound their misery.
It wasn't very reassuring, especially considering the momentum that had been generated in the six quarters of football before this one. Evero got a rude awakening about how much hard work is ahead. He was outcoached and outsmarted, and the offense was unable to take any heat off.
Derrick Brown warned of complacency after Carolina's win over the Atlanta Falcons. It seems as if a few players got a little ahead of themselves, and Evero didn't have his men ready to play.
Winner No. 1
Carolina Panthers tight ends
The positives were extremely hard to find. This was a woeful afternoon at the office, and the Panthers took a significant step back from their shutout triumph over the Atlanta Falcons.
There was one shining light amid the doom and gloom. It wasn't perfect, but the tight end trio of Tommy Tremble, Mitchell Evans, and James Mitchell can look back on their efforts with pride. That cannot be said of almost everyone else.
Collectively, the Panthers' tight ends brought in 10 receptions from 14 targets for 82 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Bryce Young used them as a safety valve when pressure arrived way too frequently. This was a positive with No. 1 option Ja'Tavion Sanders currently on the shelf.
Although it had no impact on the eventual result, it should provide some solace to the Panthers. Evans and Mitchell, in particular, should gain a lot of confidence after stepping up with more responsibilities on their shoulders.
Loser No. 6
Dave Canales - Carolina Panthers HC
Dave Canales is feeling the strain. The head coach has been outsmarted in three of Carolina's four games to start the campaign. He took accountability following his team's latest capitulation, but the excuses are starting to wear thin among the fan base.
Canales struggles once the scripted plays run out. The Panthers appeared to be a completely different operation after an impressive opening drive. The former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator either calls it conservatively, or he has absolutely no faith in quarterback Bryce Young and the weapons at his disposal.
The truth probably lies somewhere in the middle. And that's a problem.
He can talk about progress and building a culture. However, this is a results business, and the Panthers are 1-3. Pressure is building, which will reach unprecedented heights if Carolina cannot knock off the lowly Miami Dolphins at Bank of America Stadium in Week 5.