What were some critical observations from another inept reverse for the Carolina Panthers in Week 5 at the Detroit Lions?
It is now official - the Carolina Panthers are the league's only remaining winless team - and that doesn’t seem likely to change anytime soon. The Chicago Bears' triumph on Thursday Night Football coupled with an almost inevitable defeat at Ford Field saw to that.
And with a trip to South Beach to face the offensive juggernaut that is the Miami Dolphins upcoming, 0-6 seems an almost certainty.
It was another disappointing afternoon for Reich and frankly, the game was over after the Panthers went down 14-0 early. The Detroit Lions set the tone when they marched down the field in just three plays before Carolina’s abysmal run defense was gassed by David Montgomery for a score.
Carolina continued its record of giving up at least 135 rushing yards and two touchdowns in each game as the Lions racked up 159 on 30 carries as well as getting into the end zone three times.
Rookie quarterback Bryce Young had his first multi-touchdown game and finished with a passer rating of 82.1. While it was positive to see three throwing scores, two of those came in garbage time with the Lions in prevent defense and his two first-half interceptions critically turned the game further in the hosts' favor.
It’s hard to find much to be positive about currently. The Panthers are by a distance the worst team in the league and without a first-round pick in 2024. Fans expected some growing pains after the improvements under Steve Wilks, but this team should not be 0-5 and pressure is already growing on Reich.
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the Dolphins are an incredible 14.0-point favorite for the Week 6 clash - a damning indictment on the state of the Panthers.
With all that said, let’s break down four critical observations from a chastising Week 5 for Carolina.
Chandler Zavala’s health trumped any scoreline
For a few painstaking minutes on Sunday afternoon, the boisterous crowd at Ford Field fell into a worried silence as medical personnel tended to the stricken Chandler Zavala. When the rookie left guard went down practically untouched and didn’t move, the concern was clear.
The benches of both teams cleared, and many took a knee around the former North Carolina State man.
After seven minutes, Zavala was eventually lifted onto a stretcher and carted off the field. The roar from the crowd that came when he was able to give a thumbs-up, signified the relief felt around the stadium.
Later reports were also positive that after being taken to a local hospital, Zavala had feeling and movement in all his extremities and was alert. It was reported by Frank Reich post-game that he would fly home with the rest of his Carolina Panthers teammates.
While his game status going forward is of course unknown, the positive sign is the player is okay. After the horrid scenes with Damar Hamlin last season, the sight of any player lying face down on the turf and not moving is going to have fans fearing the worst.
Of course, fans are rightly frustrated by the poor play of the team. But it’s moments like this that put things into perspective and remind us that it’s just a game.
These are young men playing an extremely dangerous sport. Quite frankly, the outcome of games isn’t important in the grand scheme of things.
Carolina Panthers fans must be patient with Bryce Young
While Bryce Young had his first multi-touchdown game, he also threw two picks for the second time this season. The first was just a great play by stud defensive end Aidan Hutchinson on a screen pass to Ian Thomas, but the second was all on the rookie quarterback as he stared down his receiver, allowing Jerry Jacobs to snag the interception.
For the first time possibly in Young's career, he looked devoid of confidence. While we shouldn’t look too much into the garbage time touchdowns, one can only hope they helped restore the player's belief.
Fans are understandably frustrated with the Carolina Panthers and it’s easy to go straight for the signal-caller they sacrificed a lot to take No. 1 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.
However, I’d implore fans to be patient with Young. He’s working behind a banged-up offensive line, Adam Thielen seems to be his only viable target, and his starting running back has little burst coupled with huge ball security issues.
While Young could of course have played better, I would defy any rookie presence under center to succeed in this environment.
Understandably, the move to select Young and give up draft capital has come under scrutiny when in 2024 Caleb Williams and Drake Maye are entering the pros - two players who look like generational talents. But I'd remind fans that both Tua Tagovailoa and Trevor Lawerence struggled immensely in Year 1 before kicking on.
Young has all it takes to succeed in this league. But it’s imperative the Panthers surround him with the correct weapons and more importantly, the coaches make this a more profitable environment schematically.
Carolina Panthers are reaching fire-sale territory
For the second year in a row, the Carolina Panthers are potentially reaching fire sale territory. With a trip to the Miami Dolphins meaning they’ll almost certainly head into the bye week at 0-6, could that signify the time to start recouping draft picks?
In my opinion, everyone outside of Bryce Young is on the trade block. The Panthers should recoup assets to surround their signal-caller with talent and build this offense properly.
Fans will be understandably hesitant about this as general manager Scott Fitterer has drafted abysmally since taking up the role. However, what we’ve seen over the last few years is the Panthers not committing to either a full rebuild or being all in, and that’s left them in this predicament.
To give up both your 2024 first-round pick - which is going to be top-five at a minimum - and D.J. Moore to draft a quarterback is nothing short of malpractice. Something that's left Young with little around him to succeed.
The chances are the Chicago Bears will be picking No. 1 overall courtesy of the Panthers. This means if they’re out on quarterback Justin Fields, both Caleb Williams and Drake Maye are on the cards. Or if they stick with Fields, you have wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and tight end Brock Bowers - two of the best at their respective positions to come out of college in recent memory.
The Panthers must find a way to recoup a first-round pick in 2024. That may mean trading Brian Burns.
Carolina seems to not be inclined to pay the player what he desires. If that is the case, Fitterer should be working the phones to get the best possible deal.
Frank Reich's post-game comments on Sunday saying Burns “deserved better”. Was that a call to the other 31 teams to send their best offer in?
Carolina Panthers desperately need inspiration from Frank Reich
As we watched the Carolina Panthers slip further into a pit of misery, it was difficult to look across at the Detroit Lions led by Dan Campbell and not feel jealous of the way he has turned the franchise around. At 1-6 last season, things seemed bleak in Michigan but since then, they have been one of the league's best - compiling a 10-3 record and are heavy favorites to win the NFC North.
You’d be hard-pressed to find a better motivator than Campbell. One watch of his post-game locker room speeches makes it clear why his players fight so hard for him.
Across the touchline with Frank Reich, unfortunately, you couldn’t get a bigger contrast in styles. While the Panthers' figurehead is a good man and respected coach, it’s hard to imagine him firing up his players the way Campbell does.
The frustrating aspect for Panthers’ fans is they had a leader of men already in interim head coach Steve Wilks, but he was not allowed to lead this team. Given the way things are unfolding, the franchise is crying out for this sort of figure.
The chances are Reich - at the very least - sees out the season. But could team owner David Tepper get antsy and fire someone if the team is 0-6 at the bye?
Position coaches James Campen and Todd Wash seem potential scapegoats. Or could Tepper spring a surprise and part ways with general manager Scott Fitterer?
What Tepper has proved during his ownership tenure is to expect the unexpected.