Panthers: 5 out of 7 losses decided by a FG or less

[Saca312]

It's fair to say we nearly have no chance to the playoffs at this point. We're 4-7, and the only way we sniff the division lead is if the falcons lose 4 games, and bucs and saints implode, and we go perfect with a makeshift injured oline.

Injuries, poor coaching, and time management + execution have played a role in all of our losses.

It's actually kind of disheartening, looking at our games, and how close we were to most:

Panthers 2016 Schedule:
1 SEP 8  PANTHERS 20 BRONCOS 21*
2 SEP 18 49ERS 27 PANTHERS 46
3 SEP 25 VIKINGS 22 PANTHERS 10 
4 OCT 2 PANTHERS 33 FALCONS 48 
5 OCT 10 BUCCANEERS 17 PANTHERS 14 *
6 OCT 16 PANTHERS 38 SAINTS 41 *
7 BYE
8 OCT 30 CARDINALS 20 PANTHERS 30 
9 NOV 6 PANTHERS 13 RAMS 10 
10 NOV 13 CHIEFS 20 PANTHERS 17*
11 NOV 17 SAINTS 20 PANTHERS 23 
12 NOV 27 PANTHERS 32 RAIDERS 35*

Some things to note:

- *5 out of 7 of our losses have been decided by 3 points or less. That is huge. Also to note, the only game where we didn't have a starter of importance that wasn't in the game (RB, CB, QB, MLB) was against the Broncos, which was decided by a missed FG from the Panthers. 4/5 of these games had the Panthers with a comfortable lead in the 4th quarter**, with the outlier being against the Saints in the dome. This DOES NOT include the countless OLine injuries and reshuffling that has played an enormous factor as well.*

- Against the Vikings, the Panthers had a comfortable lead in the 1st half before imploding and getting nothing done in the second, noticably beginning with LT Michael Oher going out after the safety on Carolina. Dline was still pre-bye week rotation, so no push or rush was being generated to a huge extent.

-Against the Falcons, the Panthers had CB Bene starting, getting burned by Julio. Bradberry would later go out after confidently keeping Julio down for a few yards when he was targeted, aside one decent play. DLine line was still in its old rotation, with very limited pass rush. Panthers oline featured Remmers at LT being abused.

Very saddening to say the least. We aren't a bad football team, we're just a very unlucky one if you look at the margins of victory/losses. Easily could've won most of these games.

So really, injuries sure played a role, but with so many small margins, is it really fair to put all the blame on injuries (certainly not a talent issue either), or is there some need to get some coaching issues addressed?

 

[electro's horse]

better coaching overcomes injuries

[JawnyBlaze]

Consistently winning or losing close games is a product of good or bad coaching.  Decisively winning or losing games is talent. 

[Mother Grabber]

i don't understand why shula called that pick 6 play. very strange.

[juliosantos]

thats on coaching 

[TheSpecialJuan]

9 minutes ago, juliosantos said:

thats on coaching 

no.

[Mother Grabber]

a lot of our early losses were also cases where we had some bad turnovers. some were in the red zone that cost us points, and some lead to points by the opponent. all lead to us losing a close game...just like the pick 6 on sunday.

[Growl]

Imagine what having just one more all pro player would've done for this team

[The Lobo]

We aren't a bad team you are correct. Just an off year.

[gorillamilitia13]

When you're consistently getting beaten in one score games, especially in games that you have the lead in late, its coaching

[arbnranger]

@Saca312 Good post and I agree. 

The long view is about peaks and valleys. The most recent example is Dallas.  (although different circumstances) The Cowboys fell apart last year because of the Romo situation but everyone knew they had much more talent on their team than their record reflected. That draft worked out pretty well for them. 

I'm still going to enjoy the rest of the season. Not looking to far ahead but I can see the potential in next year if things fall into place. 

As others have said too, there is a fine line between a win and a loss at this level. A few breaks here and there and this season is a completely different story. 

Going my into to next season I would rather feel like a heavy weight that didn't live up to the potential than a lightweight that got lucky. 

[Mother Grabber]

8 minutes ago, gorillamilitia13 said:

When you're consistently getting beaten in one score games, especially in games that you have the lead in late, its coaching

packers are 4-6, is that because of coaching too? should they fire McCarthy?

[gorillamilitia13]

11 minutes ago, Mother Grabber said:

packers are 4-6, is that because of coaching too? should they fire McCarthy?

I'm not fully aware of their situation but I have heard that a lot of GB fans do want him gone. Heard a radio head also say if GB doesn't make the playoffs he's gone. I don't think they've lost 5 one score games, or completly imploded in the 4th quarter because of questionable coaching calls. 

[bigdog10]

Pretty sure we've led in every game except Atlanta and New Orleans. 

It appears to me that this coaching staff is coaching this team out of wins. 

Of course injuries are a problem, but there is no excuse for that many blown leads when you have last years MVP under center.