Who were the big winners and losers from another demoralizing defeat for the Carolina Panthers in Week 3 at the Seattle Seahawks?
It's not easy being a Carolina Panthers fan. All the hyperbole and excitement surrounding this team has disintegrated into the usual doom and gloom after just three weeks of the 2023 season - misery that was compounded with another dismal loss at the Seattle Seahawks to extend Frank Reich's losing start to the campaign.
The talk of contending for the NFC South or attaining a playoff berth is long gone. This is a team devoid of confidence and going through some significant injury issues currently, which makes next weekend's home fixture against the Minnesota Vikings a do-or-die situation.
This is all about character. How much pride remains in the Panthers locker room and within the coaching staff brought to the organization at great expense by team owner David Tepper throughout an offseason of vast changes remains to be seen.
With that said, here are five winners and losers from Carolina's loss at the Seahawks in Week 3.
Loser No. 1
Carolina Panthers OL
While it was easy to single someone out, the entire Carolina Panthers offensive line wasn't up to the required standard. Their inept showing centered on a lack of discipline and poor production, with almost no decent running lanes created and suspect pass protection once again.
Fortunately for the Panthers, Andy Dalton's savviness got them off the hook in terms of sacks allowed. But the number of false starts reeked of confidence issues and almost no cohesion whatsoever in such a loud environment.
The offensive line didn't handle things well at all. Austin Corbett and Brady Christensen were sorely missed on the interior, with Ikem Ekwonu's production also coming on for extra scrutiny considering the expectations on his shoulders.
Winner No. 1
Andy Dalton - Carolina Panthers QB
Losing Bryce Young to injury was the latest in a series of body blows for the Carolina Panthers in recent weeks. But it's a next-man-up mentality, which gave quarterback Andy Dalton a chance to show he still has something left in the tank after accepting a backup/mentor role under the new regime.
Dalton was brought in to provide Young with an experienced figure to lean on. If the No. 1 overall selection was forced to miss time, the Panthers had someone who could step in at a moment's notice to ensure little momentum is lost.
That's exactly where Dalton found himself in Week 3 at the Seattle Seahawks. And in fairness to the former second-round selection, he was far from the team's biggest problem during an impressive individual display overall.
Carolina's offense looked more efficient with Dalton under center. He protected the football, took risks downfield when opportunities arose, and did a nice job of finding receivers with pressure in his face for good measure.
The one-time TCU stud was asked to throw the ball 58 times - a career-high. This wasn't exactly a recipe for success and even though Dalton played well, the signal-caller caller acknowledged afterward that a lack of offensive balance proved to be their undoing.
If this is the last time we see Dalton as the team's starter, he left a good impression. Something that might not go unnoticed by another organization looking for quarterback help before the trade deadline.
Loser No. 2
Donte Jackson - Carolina Panthers CB
Donte Jackson put together a decent enough start to the season over the first two games. Sadly for the cornerback and the Carolina Panthers, this came crashing to a halt on Sunday at Lumen Field.
The Panthers were counting on Jackson more than ever with C.J. Henderson going out of the lineup. It was a task he was unable to accomplish effectively, which stemmed from indifferent run support and getting burned in coverage on more than one occasion.
This has been a familiar tale for Jackson in recent years. Fans continue to question the decision to give him a bumper new contract extension over All-Pro corner Stephon Gilmore, who is currently thriving with the Dallas Cowboys despite his advancing years.
Jackson just couldn't string any sort of coverage consistency together, which simply cannot continue moving forward. The Panthers are already without Jaycee Horn and the prospect of Henderson missing time cannot be dismissed, which makes him Carolina's undisputed No. 1 option at the position until further notice.
The thought of Jackson and Troy Hill going up against Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson, K.J. Osborn, and rookie Jordan Addison next weekend versus the Minnesota Vikings is a daunting one. But the Panthers and defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero somehow have to make the best of a bad situation.
Winner No. 2
Adam Thielen - Carolina Panthers WR
Much has been made about the Carolina Panthers' wide receiver room and their lack of prowess in creating separation. There has been one exception, which was once again evident at the Seattle Seahawks in Week 3.
Adam Thielen is easily the team's most consistent pass-catcher. His savvy route running and assured hands have been a major asset up to now, with Sunday's contest representing his most profitable performance since the player's high-profile switch from the Minnesota Vikings in free agency.
While others wilted under the pressure, Thelen seemed to thrive. Andy Dalton targeted him heavily as a result, which led to 11 receptions for 145 receiving yards and a late touchdown grab, which was arguably the best catch of the bunch.
If only those youngsters in the room who think they're something and have yet to accomplish much would follow his lead. The fact that Carolina is so reliant on the aging wideout tells its own story - but it's something that must continue in pursuit of keeping the chains moving.
The wide receiver position looks like it's going to be among the Panthers' biggest needs next spring. For now, they can relax safe in the knowledge Thielen still has what it takes to provide at least one dependable option when all around him crumbles.
Loser No. 3
Frank Reich - Carolina Panthers HC
The honeymoon period is over for Frank Reich. Pressure is increasing on the head coach just three games into his tenure, with Sunday's effort at the Seattle Seahawks littered with costly errors from a Carolina Panthers team that looked unprepared before going into battle.
This centers on the penalties, which were frequent and frustrating in equal measure. Lumen Field is notoriously loud, but for the Panthers to give up so many false starts sits squarely on the figurehead.
Reich's statement after the game saying practice on Wednesday was louder than the game's atmosphere only made things worse. There didn't seem to be any silent counts and every audible was a running play - something the Seahawks' defense sniffed out quickly en route to a convincing triumph.
The play-calling was a little better, but the distinct unbalanced approach forced Andy Dalton to throw 58 times. This was another unacceptable element to Carolina's disastrous equation in Week 3.
Everyone within the franchise is preaching patience and beat reporters are churning out the rebuilding label that was non-existent during the offseason. Scott Fitterer told fans this was a team that could slot in a quarterback and take off, which couldn't be further from the truth over the opening three clashes.
Reich has a lot of work ahead. And for many, patience is already wearing incredibly thin.