The Panthers head into Week 10 with a 3-6 record. While there are no do-overs and moral victories don’t count, if a few things had gone their way they easily could be 6-3, instead.
Sunday’s loss to the reigning champion Chiefs was a good example of how this season has gone so far. The team defied grim expectations, got out to an early lead, stayed aggressive and kept it close the whole game, but ultimately just couldn’t close the deal. This latest loss was their fourth in a row. However, it only dropped them one spot in Touchdown Wire’s power rankings. They are now at No. 21 on the list. Here’s what Mark Schofield had to say about Carolina.
“If you want to take the positive approach as a Panthers fan, you will point to what the offense did, how Matt Rhule recognized how this game needed to be played and took some necessary risks – a fake punt resulted in a big play earlier in the game – and be hopeful for the future. If you want to take the more negative approach, you’ll simply point out that in another winnable game, just as the Panthers faced a few weeks ago against the New Orleans Saints, they were forced to try a long field goal at the end, and came up short.”
It’s always frustrating to lose close games, especially against teams like the Saints and Chiefs, who very well could wind up playing in the Super Bowl.
Fans have to be realistic, though. The roster that Carolina currently has is dramatically inferior compared to those contenders. That the Panthers have competed in every game so far this season is a testament to their coaching staff and a quarterback who doesn’t get enough credit for his will to win.
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