The Carolina Panthers put up a spirited effort during their Week 4 defeat against the Cincinnati Bengals. Dave Canales' men were unable to hit the heights experienced during their sensational triumph at the Las Vegas Raiders. Unfortunately for the fans in attendance, being competitive wasn't enough to get another win in the column.
Canales will have plenty of food for thought after this. The head coach bemoaned individual errors in key moments as reasons behind the team's failure. Giving standout quarterback Joe Burrow so much time in the pocket was asking for trouble and they suffered accordingly. This was another bump in the road for this struggling organization, but all hope is not lost by any stretch of the imagination.
The Panthers have some games upcoming where they can give a good account of themselves. If they can emerge from the next month at .500 or better, it'll set them up nicely. But the margin for error at 1-3 is long gone.
With this in mind, here are three winners and two losers from Carolina's defeat to the Bengals at Bank of America Stadium.
Winners and losers from Carolina Panthers' loss vs. the Bengals
Winner No. 1
Xavier Legette - Carolina Panthers WR
The Carolina Panthers needed someone to step up after veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen went to injured reserve with a hamstring issue. It seems Xavier Legette is going to be that guy based on his showing in Week 4 against the Bengals.
Legette was outstanding in the first half, displaying his exceptional athleticism and improved route-running to give Cincinnati endless problems in the secondary. There were a couple of lapses in concentration with drops in the second half, but it was a pleasing performance overall.
The first-round pick out of South Carolina finished with six receptions from 10 targets for 66 receiving yards and a touchdown. He also added 10 rushing yards from two end-arounds during the clash. Legette left some yards out on the field, but this was a big step in a positive direction.
Loser No. 1
Shaq Thompson - Carolina Panthers LB
Having veteran linebacker Shaq Thompson back in the lineup was a significant boost for the Carolina Panthers. One of the team's undisputed leaders within the locker room picked up where he left off, starting the campaign extremely well. That came screeching to an abrupt halt with another unfortunate issue against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 4.
Thompson went down in the second half and was carted off with what the Panthers disclosed as a heel injury. Fans were speculating something more serious looking at the television replay. Head coach Dave Canales was nervously awaiting developments with further tests on the horizon, but things didn't look especially promising.
This comes after Thompson worked exceptionally hard to return from a broken fibula that ended his campaign after two games in 2023. If the prognosis is equally as bad this time around, it'll be a devastating blow to the player and the organization.
It's also worth remembering that this is a contract year for Thompson. If this injury rules him out for the entire campaign once again, that might be the last we see of him in a Panthers uniform when it's all said and done.
Winner No. 2
Chuba Hubbard - Carolina Panthers RB
Chuba Hubbard is a workhorse. He's growing in stature with every passing game and is thriving as one of Carolina's offensive focal points. The Panthers might not have gotten the better of the Bengals, but the running back can look at his performance with an enormous sense of pride.
Hubbard's on-field vision, explosiveness, and contact balance continue to catch the eye. The former fourth-round selection out of Oklahoma State gained 104 yards on the ground and a touchdown from 18 carries. Rushing for 5.8 yards a carry is in the higher echelons around the league, which is a testament to how well the player is taking advantage of a much-improved offensive line in a scheme that suits his strengths.
He increased his influence by bringing in all four of his targets for 17 receiving yards. Hubbard once again split time with Miles Sanders on occasion, but he was the clear difference-maker in the running back room. How much longer this continues with second-round rookie Jonathon Brooks gearing up to return from injured reserve is another matter.
The Panthers are in a good spot here. They can continue to give Hubbard the bulk of carries while easing Brooks into the fold gradually after so long out with a torn ACL. That's a win-win for everybody.
Loser No. 2
Carolina Panthers pass-rush
This is becoming an ongoing concern - one that most fans had before a competitive down was played in 2024. The Carolina Panthers have no pass-rush whatsoever and it's severely impacting their chances of becoming a competent defensive outfit.
Jadeveon Clowney is struggling to make an impression with so much attention from opposing protection schemes. Nobody from the other side of making any lasting contribution in this regard. Charles Harris was the latest veteran to try and fail, looking a yard off the place and lacking the explosiveness needed to reach the backfield.
You cannot give Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow this much time in the pocket. The former No. 1 pick out of LSU carved open the Panthers with customary efficiency and conviction, which was thanks in no small part to Carolina's non-existent ability to get after the accomplished signal-caller.
The Panthers are hoping to get veteran free-agent signing D.J. Wonnum back from injured reserve sooner rather than later. Expecting him to come in and work miracles is kidding themselves given how long he's been out with a torn quad, but there is enough evidence for general manager Dan Morgan to realize that the options available aren't going to cut it.
Winner No. 3
Xavier Woods - Carolina Panthers S
The Panthers haven't created many turnovers this season. That was a big detail defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero was looking to instill into his roster during the offseason. There were finally signs of life following an indifferent opening to the campaign.
Xavier Woods displayed his customary coverage awareness and outstanding anticipation to read a Joe Burrow throw for an interception. It didn't have a big say in the game's overall outcome, but it put the exclamation point on another superb performance from the veteran safety.
Woods with the big time INT
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) September 29, 2024
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/JlG9W7rrW8
Woods was seemingly everywhere. He came down to assist against the run and mopped up the failings of others in front of him. It wasn't easy - not by any stretch of the imagination - but he was one of the few defensive players to emerge from this contest with credit.
Until the Panthers can somehow figure out a way to generate pressure consistently, Woods is going to have a lot on his plate. It's a challenge the former sixth-round pick is relishing, even if it looks unsustainable in the grand scheme of things.