Steve Wilks is a coach who believes in being physical and that the game is won – and lost – in the trenches. Today Carolina lost that battle, falling 24-16 to the Steelers.
In their last two victories the Panthers set the controlled the game up front (on both sides of the ball) and were clearly the more physical team. Sunday, with a chance to “Protect the Bank” and improve their playoff chances, Carolina got manhandled. Pittsburgh set the tone from kickoff, forcing a three-and-out on their first defensive series and scoring a touchdown on their first offensive possession.
Carolina’s defense, which has been the more stable and respectable unit during the season, gave up 156 rushing yards and allowed the Steelers to convert 75% (12-16) of their third down attempts.
“Third down was horrendous to say the least – on both sides,” Coach Wilks said after the game. “We were 4 of 11 and then they were 12 of 16, so not good enough in regards to affecting time of possession. They had 36 minutes to our 23 and it all results with that.”
“That’s the factor of this loss,” defensive end Brian Burns said when asked about the Steelers’ third down conversion percentage. “Just being able to hold them to field goals, get off the field on third down and winning first and second to get to third and long. Those are really the main things we need to harp on.”
The message from Wilks has always been to take things day-to-day, but despite losing in such disappointing fashion, the Panthers’ playoff hopes are still very much alive, even if it’s the last thing on their minds.
“Still not worrying about it last week, not worrying about it now,” Wilks said when asked about the playoff picture. “We’ve got to worry about trying to get ourselves right to win a football game. I don’t want anybody in this building talking playoffs.”
