Three-game losing streak handicaps Panthers
The Carolina Panthers were gliding along a month ago just waiting for those late-season showdowns with the New Orleans Saints.
Now the Panthers might not reach that point of the season with all that much on the line if they can’t get things turned around.
A three-game losing streak has resulted in a 6-5 record going into Sunday’s game at Tampa Bay.
“Just stick together,” head coach Ron Rivera said of his message. “We still have five games left to go. We control it. Go out and play. You have to play to win.”
The Panthers have four games remaining against NFC South rivals. The first order of business will be completing a season sweep of the Buccaneers.
“We need one win,” quarterback Cam Newton said. “Let’s just start with one win. Everybody who is looking at the calendar and saying, ‘We can beat this team. We can beat that team. We play them at home.’ We need one win and we can start with that.”
As if things hadn’t nosedived enough, last week’s 30-27 loss to Seattle marked the end of Carolina’s 10-game home winning streak that dated to last season.
The Panthers had controlled their own playoff destiny until the string of results has dropped them below the wild-card playoff line.
“You’re 6-2 and now you’re 6-5,” tight end Greg Olsen said. “I don’t know if that’s how anybody saw it going. … Five games left, just have to try and go get one.”
The problems on defense seem puzzling because the Panthers haven’t generated enough on the pass rush to compensate for areas of inexperience and now injuries that are evident in the secondary.
But there are also glaring shortcomings in red-zone offense.
“We know when the opportunity is there you have to cash in on it,” Newton said.
The offensive snags seem isolated if not devastating. Newton and running back Christian McCaffrey are putting up notable numbers on a regular basis, yet the final output doesn’t necessarily correspond with that.
“Losing makes it sting,” Rivera said. “Missed opportunities to make plays.”
Perhaps there are some good vibes in playing Tampa Bay. The Panthers posted a season-high point total in the 42-28 victory on Nov. 3.
But suddenly for the Panthers, nothing looks easy. Now there might be times when they’re questioning themselves.
“We can’t fool ourselves,” Newton said. “This is our third loss (in a row). We need to seize the moment better than we are.”
SERIES HISTORY: 27th regular-season meeting. Panthers lead series, 23-13, including three victories in a row. Carolina won 42-28 at home on Nov. 4. The Panthers are 11-4 against Tampa Bay under head coach Ron Rivera.
