How could the Carolina Panthers fare over their next four games after a cataclysmic 0-5 start to begin Frank Reich's reign as head coach?
Well, don't say we didn't warn you.
The Carolina Panthers suffered their inevitable loss at the Detroit Lions in embarrassing fashion. Three turnovers in the first half and more defensive failings were the catalyst behind another demise, which leaves them as the NFL's only winless team and staring into the abyss once more.
Carolina's fanbase is frustrated and looking for scapegoats. This is not what they were promised before the campaign and Frank Reich is coming under fire for what's perceived to be poor preparation, in-game communication, and everything in between.
Just where the Panthers go from here remains to be seen. The bye week is coming at a good time, but there is no room for rest or recuperation within a franchise that looks devoid of any inspiration currently.
With this in mind, we took a look at how the Panthers might fare over their next four games after such a torrid opening to the campaign.
Carolina Panthers at Dolphins - Week 6
As if things couldn't get any worse for the Carolina Panthers. Before Frank Reich and his players embark on their bye week, they must first make a daunting trip to the Miami Dolphins, which is filling every single fan with complete dread.
Miami is missing rookie running back Devon Achane, but they have weapons everywhere you look. Mike McDaniel's exceptional scheme and the unbelievable speed at the Dolphins' disposal means they can rack up points in a hurry, which is the last thing Carolina probably wants coming off such a poor opening to the campaign.
Prediction: Loss (0-6)
We'll keep his short. The Dolphins are 13.5-point favorites for a reason, so it would be the biggest shock of the campaign by a considerable margin if the Panthers pulled this off.
Carolina Panthers vs. Texans - Week 8
There should be plenty of self-reflection and rethinking of various team-related strategies if the Carolina Panthers find themselves at 0-6 on their bye week. What awaits Frank Reich's men when they return to action at Bank of America Stadium in Week 8 is the man many believe should have been the pick at No.1 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.
C.J. Stroud has taken the league by storm en route to some borderline historic numbers through five weeks. While there's nothing to suggest Bryce Young wasn't the right selection given his gradual growth, the Panthers cannot afford to get beaten against a resurgent Houston Texans outfit under DeMeco Ryans.
Houston might be sitting at 2-3, but they've been in almost every game. Their defense is coming on encouragingly thanks to Ryans and in Stroud, they have a signal-caller capable of coming through in clutch situations within a scheme that's playing to his strengths.
Young doesn't have that luxury - for now, anyway. But the bye week would be the best possible time to make schematic alterations that bring the best out of their prized possession's skill set.
If that means handing over the play-calling reins to offensive coordinator Thomas Brown, so be it.
Prediction: Win (1-6)
This will be tabbed as a battle between the top two picks in the draft. But after having extra time to prepare and the entire bye week to make improvements - coupled with the fact they're on home turf - the Panthers better win this game.
Otherwise, there's just no telling what the atmosphere will be like.
Carolina Panthers vs. Colts - Week 9
Frank Reich was fired by the Indianapolis Colts last season and replaced by the former center Jeff Saturday, who had absolutely no experience coaching at the pro level. That probably stung a great deal, so the head coach will be fully intent on making his old team pay in Week 9.
The Colts are moving forward with a rookie quarterback of their own in Anthony Richardson. However, there's a high likelihood that the former Florida star will be missing from this one, which represents another good opportunity for the Carolina Panthers to get another win in the column with their home crowd watching on.
Gardner Minshew might be under center if Richardson doesn't make it back in time. This means Indianapolis will be heavily reliant on All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor, who patched things up with the organization and signed a lucrative new deal for his troubles.
The Panthers will have newfound momentum of their own in this scenario after beating the Houston Texans. But make no mistake, complacency cannot become an issue for a team still languishing among the league's bottom feeders.
Prediction: Win (2-6)
Richardson not being able to participate would be a big boost for the Panthers. Minshew is serviceable if nothing else, but Carolina's defense should find ways to make life extremely uncomfortable for the charismatic veteran en route to their second triumph of the campaign.
Carolina Panthers at Bears - Week 10
With another lost season staring the Carolina Panthers firmly in the face, their Week 10 game at the Chicago Bears is the most important to fans beyond all doubt. The two sides were closely linked this offseason thanks to a bombshell trade involving the No. 1 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, which also saw wide receiver D.J. Moore make the trip north to rubber-stamp the deal.
This looks like working in Chicago's favor up to now. Bryce Young might be a franchise quarterback over time, but giving up the No. 1 pick in 2024 as it stands is not what those in power had in mind when making this transaction.
Of course, there's plenty of time for that to change. But the back and forth between Bears and Panthers fans on social media in the trade's immediate aftermath stemmed into bad blood pretty quickly.
The game is also being shown on primetime Thursday Night Football, which only raises the stakes for the Panthers as they look to prove things are trending upward with the national audience watching intently. Easier said than done in a hostile atmosphere, so big characters are needed to give their long-suffering support bragging rights.
Prediction: Loss (2-7)
As someone who also covers the Washington Commanders, I got to see the Bears in action last weekend and also watched the All-22 footage from their resounding win at FedEx Field. Based on this showing and the fact Moore will be on a revenge mission, the Panthers have their work cut out.