It’s one thing to lose.
You strap up, lock in, and for 60 minutes, give the game and your opponent everything you have. Going hit for hit. Score for score. Bank for bank. Sometimes, despite the very best of efforts, it’s not enough. The other team is just better. They’re just more talented on that day. It happens.
It’s another thing, however, to get whooped.
It’s a different kind of embarrassment to prep all week only to fall apart on Sunday. Shame’s sting hurts differently when your own mistakes are highlighted and exploited with unanswered points on the scoreboard in a stadium where fans of ‘opps outnumber allies.
The Carolina Panthers got whooped in Week 8. They were outplayed, outmuscled and outclassed by a visiting Buffalo Bills team motivated to snap a two-game skid.
Here are observations from Carolina’s demoralizing 40-9 loss to the Bills.
Letting James Cook
The blueprint for the Panthers to win this game was to establish the run and commit to it. Instead it was the Bills, and their no. 1 ranked rushing offense, that dominated.
James Cook is one of the elite backs in the league and more often than not, better offense trumps good defense. However it’s no excuse for Carolina’s front seven to concede. They put up little to no resistance as Cook rushed for 153 yards in the first half, and for a career high of 215 yards and two touchdowns at game’s end.
Before the game I suggested that Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero should open with a 4-2-5 alignment. Granted, they would’ve been vulnerable against the pass, however, I believe it would’ve been more effective than their traditional 3-4 base.They could’ve added more players in the box while maintaining pass coverage. They could’ve used safety Tre’von Moehrig in various roles in this set for instance. Some adjustments and improving wouldn’t have made matters worse given the outcome of going with their traditional alignment.
Daunting Day for Dalton
Andy Dalton looked indecisive and unsure in his Week 8 start and Buffalo’s defense made sure of it. Their front seven treated the 14-year-veteran QB like a piñata, sacking him seven times and bullying him into two fumbles – with one of them putting reigning MVP Josh Allen and the Bills’ offense in the red zone.
There was an opportunity to go into the half only down by nine, but Dalton and the offense couldn’t get out if their own way.
“There were times early in the game where we like we were moving the ball well,” Dalton said postgame. “Throughout the game, we were moving the ball well, but we ended up shooting ourselves in the foot.”
Despite Dalton’s poor performance, Panthers head coach Dave Canales says Dalton is still his QB 2.
Pick A Back
Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle combined for 88 yards on 20 attempts and a touchdown in Week 8. On paper, you would’ve thought two physical and aggressive backs could co-exist, since both Hubbard and Dowdle have shared touches with other backs in the past.
So far, the fit hasn’t been as seamless as expected. It’s the second week of this series-for-series dual back system and it takes time and reps to develop familiarity and chemistry, but the stats and film suggests that Carolina should feature one back.
The stats and film also suggest that the Panthers should roll with the hot hand in Dowdle and continue to integrate Hubbard. I understand that the team signed Hubbard to a four-year, $33 million contract extension last year and team wants to utilize him, but Dowdle is proving week after week that he is more explosive.
There’s a case for either back and it depends on what the Panthers value. If they want to continue to progress, they should prioritize one back for the sake of clarity and continuity as the season rolls on.