A Positive Panthers Loss: What Does that Mean, Anyway?

Last week in pro football, the Carolina Panthers faced the winless Cincinnati Bengals. Despite not securing the victory, the Panthers showed notable progress and development. We can leave this game with a sense of optimism. But what did it cost us?

Losses are never enjoyable, especially when they come with the cost of losing key players. However, this week we’ll see some familiar faces returning from the injury list. Overall, we’re showing signs of progress, and our losses no longer feel hopeless. It’s clear that the players are committed, and perhaps some of the fans are starting to feel it too. Dan and Dave are definitely cooking up something that seems to have the support of both former and current players. 

Shaq Thompson

Losses: 

This week, we lost Shaq Thompson to an Achilles injury for the entire season, and Josey Jewell is dealing with a hamstring/groin issue, which we hope won’t sideline him for long. That means two starting linebackers are out, leaving rookie Trevin Wallace to lead the defense in next week’s matchup against the Chicago Bears. However, during this week’s press conference, we learned that Trevin stepped up to call the defense after Shaq and Josey went down, and the Bengals’ offense did manage to settle down after that, so there is hope in that. 

Gains: 

"Sustainability has become a focus, and the offense is finally starting to maintain drives. We're not there yet, but we're making progress. Coach Canales' aggressive play-calling style is key to this. He describes his approach as “a relentless pursuit to find a competitive edge.” As mentioned earlier in this article, Dave has received praise from former players, including linebacker Thomas Davis, who stated, “I absolutely love the aggressive calls.” 

If you haven't noticed yet, the theme of this article is progress. Amid the ups and downs, this is the first indication of consistent life from the organization since we faced those significant losses. Progress is crucial for growth, allowing individuals and teams to build on their achievements and learn from experiences. By embracing progress, we cultivate resilience and innovation, pushing ourselves to reach new heights and overcome challenges. Let’s see what we can accomplish next week against the struggling Chicago Bears.