CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers find themselves with a 1-4 record, but recent history shows they can overcome their poor start.
Carolina has not looked anything like the NFC Champions who became a national phenomenon on their way to a 15-1 regular season record and a Super Bowl appearance.
They look more like the 2010 Panthers who went 2-14 and were the laughing stock of the NFL.
In 2010 the Panthers averaged 6.63 penalties per game, and so far through five games in 2016 they are averaging 7.8 penalties per game, ranking 26th in the NFL.
Furthermore, the 2010 Panthers averaged 2.3 turnovers per game and finished with a -8 turnover differential, meaning they gave away eight more turnovers than they forced for the entire season. The 2016 Panthers are averaging 2.8 turnovers per game and have a -7 turnover differential through five games.
Good teams generally don’t commit many penalties. They also don’t commit many turnovers or, at least, they force more than they make.
The 5-0 Minnesota Vikings have 12 takeaways and only one turnover. They lost quarterback Teddy Bridgewater in the preseason and star running back Adrian Peterson in week 2, but at no point have they lost their focus or discipline.
Last year Carolina led the NFL in turnover margin, so they are aware of what needs to happen within a game in order to come out on top.
Turnovers and penalties can be the difference in winning and losing a game and in the overall trajectory of a team’s season. Turnovers and penalties are also a reflection of who your are as a team. Right now the Panthers are an unfocused team who thought they could ride last year’s accomplishments through this season. We all know they are talented, so it is hard to understand why they can’t put it together for a 60 minute game.
In reality, the Panthers are only a few plays away from being 3-2 and in a much better position, but a missed field goal against Denver and costly turnovers against Tampa Bay have their backs against the wall.
The 2013 Panthers began the season 1-3 and were dismissed from playoff contention by most pundits. Many fans were calling for Ron Rivera’s job and thought Cam Newton was not the quarterback to lead the Panthers moving forward. Many of the current Panthers were a part of the 2013 team, and they know what it takes to turn a season around. The real difference is the higher expectations for this team, so no one will take them lightly, even with a 1-4 record.
Then the Panthers ripped off an eight game winning streak.
The next eight games for the Panthers include the Saints twice, Cardinals, Rams, Chiefs, Raiders, Seahawks, and Chargers. Those opponents currently have a combined record of 13-14. Those teams may get better or worse as the season continues but, as it currently stands, Carolina has a favorable schedule to work themselves back into playoff contention.
I’m sure Head Coach Ron Rivera will harp on the importance of details and focus. The Panthers will have to regain their form one game at a time and cannot continue to make the same mistakes that have contributed to their dismal record thus far.
The return of Cam Newton and Jonathan Stewart should energize the offense. The defense will continue to be a work in progress as Defensive Coordinator Seam McDermott looks for a way to generate a pass rush without further exposing his young cornerbacks.
This isn’t 2015 or 2013. The 2016 Panthers must decide who they want to be beginning this week on the road in New Orleans against a familiar opponent.
The Saints won’t go down easily, and it will take a strong attention to detail, a sense of urgency, and a little bit of luck for Carolina to salvage this season.
