It’s much harder to digest this losing streak as a fan of the Carolina Panthers when there isn’t really anything, in particular, to point to. No impactful, game-breaking injuries. No horrible coaching decision making. It’s just bad football across the board, and it’s surprising to see considering the talent on this roster. The Panthers have dropped their fifth straight in Cleveland and will not be making the playoffs short of a miracle, but at this point is it really even worth it? It might be time to wave the white flag on 2018, put Cam Newton on injured reserve, and fire Ron Rivera.
Carolina Panthers Losing Streak Reaches Five Games as They Fall in Cleveland
Bad Football
The Panthers are a bad football team. They fail in crucial situations in every way imaginable. It’s hard to put it into words. Newton clearly isn’t right and this team looks dead in the water. They need a fresh start, and that won’t come until next September. The pieces are there to be successful, but the product on the field is just not.
Horrifying football aside, Luke Kuechly played like a man possessed. He finished the game with 11 tackles and two forced fumbles. Kuechly and Thomas Davis looked like the only guys who cared on the defense today.
What’s Next?
You’d have to think this was Rivera’s last straw. Losing to Cleveland is bad enough. To lose your fifth straight game to Cleveland after starting the season 6-2 is more than a fireable offense. The only reason Rivera wouldn’t be fired this season would be because owner David Tepper isn’t comfortable with any candidates to replace him. It’ll be interesting to see what develops over these next few weeks, especially if this losing streak extends to six games on Monday Night Football.
Looking towards the draft, the Panthers need to get younger on defense. Look for Carolina to bring in a game-breaking pass rusher. Pressure has been nonexistent from the front four this season. A pass rush is essential to any successful team and I can’t see the Panthers addressing any other position in the first round.
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
- 9:17 McCaffrey 4 yard touchdown run, Catanzaro XP good
7-0 Carolina
- 7:14 Jarvis Landry 3 yard touchdown run, Joseph XP good
7-7
Second Quarter
- 14:13 McCaffrey 1 yard touchdown run, Catanzaro XP Good
14-7 Carolina
- 8:27 Mayfield 51 yard touchdown throw to Landry, Joseph XP Good
14-14
- 4:07 Catanzaro 30 yard FG good
17-14 Carolina
- 1:03 Joseph 49 yard FG Good
17-17
Third Quarter
- 7:11 34 yard FG good
20-17 Carolina
Fourth Quarter
- 13:05 Chubb 4 yard touchdown run, Joseph XP No Good
23-20 Cleveland
- 8:46 Joseph 41 yard FG Good
26-20 Cleveland — Final
Quick Takeaways
- Rookie tight end Ian Thomas had a great game stepping in for Greg Olsen. He had 9 catches for 77 yards.
- Cam Newton, injury or not, has failed in four game-winning drive opportunities during the losing streak.
- Left tackle needs to be addressed. But so do a lot of things.
- Wide receiver Devin Funchess is done in Carolina.
Injury Report
- No injuries to report.
