Panthers win and this place is miserable

[The Question]

I’ve been on this forum since 2007 when I was about 14 years old. I only lurk now, but it is kind of sad because I see the same names of the brazen middle aged alcoholics that just hate this team even when we win… like just go be with your family instead of killing vibes on an Internet forum. Ugly win? Yes, but we won on the road. Figured out that Rico should definitely start, he changes how the team plays. Our defense actually might be decent, this was a defensive win. We won plenty of ugly games about 10 years ago. Hope Bryce is okay and REALLY hope he comes out next week and continues to prove people wrong and yet I’m realistic enough to know he still has a lot of room for improvement. Keep Pounding!

[Mage]

3 minutes ago, SCO96 said:

The Jets  are winless this season & one of the few teams in the NFL with a starting QB worse than ours; and we still only won this game by 7 points. 

How many points did the Bucs beat the Jets by?  How many points did the Broncos beat the Jets by?  How many points did the Steelers beat the Jets by?

Its the NFL.  There is a reason why 90% of point spreads don't go past 7 points. 

Edited October 19, 2025 by Mage

[tukafan21]

2 minutes ago, Tr3ach said:

We aren't 7-10, we are currently 4-3.. youre already making negative hypothetical scenarios to prove your point.  Honestly 7 wins this season was about my expectation, im not sure why you would have expected a lot more than that.  Anyways, 4-3 doesnt equal 7-10

I didn't have any expectations this year for our record, I was also very clear from before the season ever started, I didn't care what our record was.

I cared about what I actually saw on the field, I wanted to see improvement across the board, but in particular, the offensive play calling and Bryce's play.

Both of those things have regressed.  

That so many fans are excited about winning while our offense continues to make the same mistakes we've made for 3 years with Bryce and the 2 years since Canales showed up, is absolutely baffling to me.

YOU'RE the fans who have given up, because you blow your load over ugly wins just because of how bad we've done in the past.  You don't care about actually improving as a team and ever having a chance at contending or even just making the playoffs.

You're basically playing fantasy football in real life and get super excited when you get garbage time production, as those points are just as equal to any others.  So to you, winning is just as good no matter how it comes and no matter what the lack of improvement means for the future of the team.

[AggieLean]

1 minute ago, csx said:

Nobody I watched the game with was excited today. Relieved, yes.

It was an ugly game. The bar I was at wanted to switch to another game, but I had to tell the bartender no I’m still watching this. 
 

Im happy for the win, but I can see why there is concern, and as long as there is concern, it’ll be talked about on this messageboard. The same goes for any other team and their messageboard. 

[mav1234]

1 minute ago, AggieLean said:

It was an ugly game. The bar I was at wanted to switch to another game, but I had to tell the bartender no I’m still watching this. 
 

Im happy for the win, but I can see why there is concern, and as long as there is concern, it’ll be talked about on this messageboard. The same goes for any other team and their messageboard. 

I don't think there has been a Panthers season, no matter how good or bad, where we didn't have complaining here during and after games lol

Just the nature of a community like this.

[Carolina Cajun]

1 minute ago, mav1234 said:

99% of the Chuba commentary was NOT about Chuba personally, it was that Rico was clearly the hotter back today.

I generally agree, but part of the thing is Chuba is not a bad back, he was literally our offense  last year.  He seems to be the emotional leader of this offense as well.  At some point though the goal is hopefully to split rico and chuba carries wise.  An Average starting RB gets 16-18 carries...rico got  17.  we cannot kill the guy and frankly I think Chuba bruises more than rico and as such I think Chuba softens the defense for rico, IE a smash and dash situation.  They do both seem to run better as the game goes on the mystery will be how  to maximize those players.  I personally would love to see the panthers give gaves to one or the other.  This week Rico, next week Chuba, but thats never been done in the NFL and Canales would be crucified if he tried.  I do agree that Rico deserved the start and chuba deserved to spell, but its tomato tomahto.  Rico does us no good if hes dead by week 17 running 30x a game.

[Udogg]

We haven't won enough games recently for me to be unhappy after a win.  

[tukafan21]

4 minutes ago, Mage said:

Just so we are on the same page - you feel the Panthers haven't shown ANY improvement since Week 1 or last year?

Not where it matters.

Yes, our defense has improved this year (although, it would have basically been impossible for it not to).

But I honestly see zero improvement on the offensive side of the ball, and in particular, the play calling would be lucky if it's stayed the same, if anything it has actually regressed.

In today's NFL, you're not going to make the playoffs with an offense like ours and you'll never regularly be in competitive games against good teams either.

THAT is what is frustrating those of us voicing these concerns, and it's why we're not going to get all excited and celebrate wins that we know are only coming because how bad our opponents are.  We're seeing things that are going to get us killed when we play against good teams, which is basically the rest of our schedule outside of the Saints.

[ProcessBlue2]

7 minutes ago, Mage said:

How many points did the Bucs beat the Jets by?  How many points did the Broncos beat the Jets by?  How many points did the Steelers beat the Jets by?

Its the NFL.  There is a reason why 90% of point spreads don't go past 7 points. 

Not to mention Glenn and Wilks were coaching their asses off and the defense was playing hard. We were clearly beatable to them and they knew it. The Panthers of the last 5 years would have quit 

Edited October 19, 2025 by ProcessBlue2

[LinvilleGorge]

Just gonna be honest, 4-13 wouldn't be completely shocking. Our four wins have a combined record of 6-18-1.

[frankw]

1 minute ago, mav1234 said:

I don't think there has been a Panthers season, no matter how good or bad, where we didn't have complaining here during and after games lol

Just the nature of a community like this.

There has been bickering at some level about the team in every season including our best seasons.

At some point it is going to have to click for the folks who want to try and police one another. It doesn't help it never has helped and it never will and it is the same across any other fanbase in any other sport.

[SmokinwithWilly]

10 minutes ago, Mage said:

Just so we are on the same page - you feel the Panthers haven't shown ANY improvement since Week 1 or last year?

I didnt say they haven't shown any. But for instance, today, DC, instead of riding the hot hand with Rico when Rico is obviously having the better game, insists on splitting carries with Chuba. 

That's a situational awareness issue that looked like it was getting better the last 2 weeks as DC was doing what working and sticking with it. This week, he reverted back to being stubborn and trying to force the issue. His clock management and time out usage are baffling at times. As for Bryce, he isn't consistent at all. His mechanics are still crap under pressure. The fumbling issue is still huge. Bryce looks more often like a rookie than not. I haven't seen a 2 or 3 game span that makes me say to myself, damn, now that's a number 1 pick. 

To me, those things are not the signs of growth that I would expect to see in year 2 and 3 respectively. 

Our defense is improving as is Evero. Our ST has improved. There is growth there. I acknowledge that. There's been growth. But the 2 key places, HC and QB, I don't think there's been a whole lot. 

[rebelrouser]

15 minutes ago, SmokinwithWilly said:

I get what he's saying. Winning is fine, but if you're not improving, you're going to stay where you are, which for us is 4-7 wins, year after year. Losing, but showing improvement week to week, will eventually result in better play on a more consistent basis and then the wins will come with more frequency. Net result is consistent winning teams and playoffs. Short term vs long term. 

Not improving? We had six sacks in that game. Pass blocking and QB not the best but thought the defense was great.  

[VintagePanther]

Misery loves company and the crybabies out in full force to make you miserable just like them after a win lol