The Carolina Panthers’ defense is closing in on a shameful milestone.
With the 48 points the unit allowed in their Week 17 beatdown at the hands of division foe Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the unit has allowed a franchise-record 496 points this season. They are 38 points from breaking the record for points allowed by the 1981 Baltimore Colts. This unit has a real opportunity to stand alone as the best of the worst.
The ‘Bucs smashed Carolina’s defense for 551 total net and 33 first downs. Baker Mayfield lit up his former team for 359 passing yards and five touchdowns, while Bucky Irving rushed for 113 yards. Surprising? No. Disappointing? Yes.
The Panthers’ defense has been the league’s worst against the run. They are also ranked near the bottom of every category except for tackles. They’re 24th in interceptions, 30th in sacks, and forced fumbles.
Granted, they’ve suffered key injuries at the beginning of the season with no loss bigger than Pro Bowl defensive tackle Derrick Brown going down with a season-ending knee injury after Week 1. Cornerback Jaycee Horn and linebacker Josey Jewell were out for Week 17. However, injuries are not an excuse for the defense to be so horrid. In the first half, the Panthers’ defense gave up 337 total net yards. It’s egregious and unacceptable regardless of who’s out there.
When you look at the season on a macro level, Sunday’s beatdown is just the latest. Frankly, Week 1 was a tone-setter for this unit. Carolina’s defense allowed New Orleans to score on nine consecutive possessions en route to a 47-10 ‘L’. As the 2024 season winds down, the Panthers spotted the Bucs’ points on their first five possessions- an embarrassing circle of ineptitude.
If Sunday’s performance doesn’t raise the scrutiny of Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, I don’t know what will. To the Panthers’ credit, they tried to compensate for the losses of Brian Burns and Frankie Luvu by bringing in players who played under Evero and his system, but it didn’t matter. His adjustments out of the 3-4 base have been ineffective all season.
Knowing that injuries compromised the unit, you would think that Evero would adapt and even run some 4-3 sets and play to the strengths of those who were available. Instead, he doubles down. He didn’t change, adapt or adjust. As Black Monday approaches, it will be interesting to see if the countless injuries will be considered.
Historically defense was something that the Panthers could hang their hat on. It was their strength and it wasn’t that long ago. Now, it’s something they can hang their heads in shame about. It’s one thing to struggle. You adapt and adjust until you get it right. It’s another to be egregiously bad and double and triple down on what doesn’t work. The Panthers are the latter and with that comes an opportunity to be historically bad in the season finale against Atlanta.
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