Monday Morning Questions
Ponder this, that and the other while trying to make sense of Carolina's 29-3 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
What just happened?
The Carolina Panthers (5-5) lost for the second time in their last three games on Sunday. But unlike the previous two losses, this time it was to a division rival at home. They're now three games behind the New Orleans Saints in the NFC South and are projected as a nine seed if the six-team playoffs started today.
What did we learn?
This team might be regressing from the progress it seemed to display during Carolina's four-game winning streak earlier this season. And that fuels the belief that perhaps what we saw during losses at San Francisco and Green Bay might actually be the 2019 Panthers. What is that? A team without consistent timing on offense, a line that can't protect the quarterback and a defense that doesn't stop the run or produce turnovers.
Is there time for a turnaround?
Yes, but it has to begin this week. But there are so many areas to shore up that the odds are long of Carolina making the kind of season-ending run that will be required to force its way into the playoffs. Two games remain against the Saints, as well as a rematch with the Falcons, a trip to Indianapolis and a home game against the Seahawks. Philadelphia, also 5-5, is eighth in the playoff standings, but
What needs fixed first?
Pick one. The offense struggles for consistent timing. The offensive line can't protect the quarterback. The defense doesn't stop the run nor produce turnovers. And then there's the 78-yard punt return touchdown that former Panther Kenjon Barner scored on Sunday, indicating that special teams has issues, as well.
What gets a high-five?
Christian McCaffrey continues to position himself for a run at the league's MVP award. He has 181 total yards (70 rushing, 121 receiving) against Atlanta and was Carolina's only consistent offensive threat.
What gets a low-five?
The hype train for Kyle Allen has run off the tracks. The second-year was picked off four times by Atlanta -- a team that had two interceptions total coming into the game. Allen has now thrown three times as many interceptions (nine) as touchdown passes (3) over the past four games. That skid comes after throwing seven touchdowns and no interceptions during his first four games as the Panthers' starting quarterback this season. In all fairness, however, Allen has been sacked 18 times over the past four games.
Who needs a hug?
Greg Olsen caught all five passes thrown his way for 57 yards -- a solid, though otherwise mundane, effort by the two-time All-Pro tight end. And it was a ho-hum showing in a loss that wasn't nearly as close as the final score, leaving Olsen to describe what Carolina played at Bank of America Stadium as "just a comedy of terrible football."
