What keys to victory surround the Carolina Panthers as they look to overcome the odds in Week 5 at the Detroit Lions?
It is beginning to get hard to find ways for this team to win.
The Carolina Panthers have struggled this season, which is probably an understatement. From coaching, to injuries, to a lack of any kind of creativity it's been hard to watch.
At this point, it may just be better if the team didn't win. But that would just give the Chicago Bears what would likely be the top two picks in the next draft. So it is a no-win scenario at this point.
Whether the Panthers win or lose this week will mean little for the outcome of the season as the rest of the NFC South already has a seemingly insurmountable lead. However, it would do one thing. It would give this tired fanbase something to be happy about, something to talk about on Monday morning other than a loss.
That might just be what everyone needs. Proof that this team can actually put together a win.
I said it before the season started, this is not a year to compete - it is a year to evaluate everything. This season will show the fanbase and the front office alike what kind of changes need to be made for the future of the franchise. Even if that's hard for fans to stomach after being sold dreams of playoff football before the campaign.
Traveling to the Detroit Lions will be the toughest test of the season so far for the Panthers. What keys to victory must Carolina implement in the hope of an unlikely triumph?
Carolina Panthers must stop the run
The Detroit Lions are an old-school football team. Running the ball and physicality are the basis of their entire game plan week in and week out, which is quite the opposite of almost everyone else in the league.
This could pose problems for the Carolina Panthers, who have shown a distinct lack of any kind of run defense for years.
The Panthers have given up at least 130 rushing yards in each of their four games this season - nowhere near good enough to keep up with any team in today's NFL. With the exception of the Atlanta Falcons, none of them really rely on it as their primary method of gaining momentum.
This spells trouble against the Lions as that is their calling card, it is where all of their offense comes from. Hard running and play action. And with the Panthers not having anyone in particular left at the linebacker position that is capable of sealing the holes left by the interior defensive line aside from Frankie Luvu, there isn't much that the team can do.
The only possible boon that the team may be able to call upon is Jeremy Chinn moving closer to the line of scrimmage. Something that hasn't been utilized since the young player's first season in the league.
This will leave the secondary shorthanded, but stopping the run is the more vital part of this game. Leave the pass defense to handle its own thing because at least it has proven capable of containing some of the best wide receivers to this point.
Carolina Panthers rushing attack must set the tone
After an offseason of much fanfare with the free-agent signing of Pro Bowl running back Miles Sanders, the Carolina Panthers run game has faded into obscurity with each passing contest to the point that it is essentially non-existent.
The offensive line has some of the blame here. But even the worst protection schemes can provide opportunities and the Panthers running back room simply has not been able to capitalize on any of them.
Especially Sanders, who has shown little vision or explosiveness since coming to Carolina. Even with the excuse of injury, it is concerning.
Chuba Hubbard has been the better backfield threat so far this season, yet the team keeps on sending out Sanders for the vast majority of carries to no avail. If this is a sunk-cost issue, then the Panthers need to eat that and put in the best player for the job.
Losing a game simply because you feel like you have to play the player that you spent a lot of money on is no way to be a viable NFL team.
With Bryce Young under center, this team has to do whatever it can to give their rookie quarterback the best possible chance at winning. That starts with setting the tone running the football.
Carolina Panthers must coach more effectively
This has become a theme so far this season and it is getting tiresome.
The Carolina Panthers have a serious coaching problem on offense. While the defense has trudged along and performed admirably - at least against the pass - the other side of the football has consistently lagged behind.
Either Frank Reich needs to open things up or someone else should take over play-calling as it is getting nasty out there on the field.
There is no creativity, no pop, no fire in this offense. It is stagnant, stale, and outdated in almost every way. The Panthers have the pieces to be an explosive team, but they are not being utilized in a way that allows them to use that explosiveness.
With the looming threat of the Detroit Lions' defensive front going against what has been the worst offensive line in the NFL once again, there needs to be a change. Bryce Young cannot sit in the pocket, the protection will not hold up and the hits are starting to take their toll.
Use bootlegs, play action, anything to get Young running away from the pressure and out of the pocket. Attempt quick throws and implement some inventive ideas to a pass-catcher not named Adam Thielen, which everyone is expecting at this point.
Bad offensive lines require creative game planning to mitigate their weakness. That simply has not been the case as of yet.
It is good to have faith in your players but at some point, the writing is on the wall. It really is that simple.
Without a new game plan, this contest will be a long one.