Let’s all take a deep breath and think about next season.

[hepcat]

1 minute ago, Mr. Scot said:

I get it.

I mean, I know we're bad but it still hurts to watch us play ugly.

This game was a mirror image of literally every other game this season. Panthers find a way to lose a game at the end because Bridgewater sucks. I’m not angry or surprised. I’m honestly happy because this team isn’t winning meaningless games at the end of the season to hurt the draft position. 

[KSpan]

I couldn't really care less at this point - my relative numbness was cemented with the Teddy signing. However, if the team does not make some serious moves, with QB being the biggest one, then that is the point for major concern.

I'm not even really talking about huge money for vets or anything. I'm looking for investment into the lines, cutting dead weight, and shoe ng some damn sign of learning between now and the end of the season.

[Mr. Scot]

2 minutes ago, kungfoodude said:

Eh, it was actually a good game for us. Some dumb things, some great things and we protected our draft position in the end. 

I am not upset. We've lost 8 of these 10 close games this season. Pretty well used to it now. 

What bugs me the most is that Denver isn't really that good, but boy did we make them look good.

[philit99]

I honestly don’t know what the big deal is? Why would we want to win anymore games this year? We have some great players on this team and a good coaching staff, plus we will own the NFL South in 2022 or maybe even next year. I hate to lose, but it is about the bigger picture at this point.

[hepcat]

Just now, philit99 said:

I honestly don’t know what the big deal is? Why would we want to win anymore games this year? We have some great players on this team and a good coaching staff, plus we will own the NFL South in 2022 or maybe even next year. I hate to lose, but it is about the bigger picture at this point.

Agreed. I do think the coaching staff and players understand that the team is not going to be trying to win any more games. They are not trying to make it obvious, but low key they know wins do not benefit them at this point.

[Daddy_Uncle]

46 minutes ago, BIGH2001 said:

Joe Brady needs needs to show major improvement next year.  He has been awful this season.

Shitty qb play + your best offensive weapon out all year can make an offensive coordinator look bad

[raleigh-panther]

13 minutes ago, Daddy_Uncle said:

Shitty qb play + your best offensive weapon out all year can make an offensive coordinator look bad

True

But Joey wanted that shitty QB

[kungfoodude]

56 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

What bugs me the most is that Denver isn't really that good, but boy did we make them look good.

Yeah but that has happened with a bunch of our opponents. We play the the level of our opponent, no matter how good or bad. It's very strange. 

[kungfoodude]

37 minutes ago, Daddy_Uncle said:

Shitty qb play + your best offensive weapon out all year can make an offensive coordinator look bad

Disagree, Brady has legit made some head scratching play calls all year long. He definitely is showing he needs to learn in the NFL for a little bit. Nothing wrong with that, we will just have to be patient through the learning curve.

[Beerfacedlegend]

We been saying that ever since 2017 we will suck next year too

[Mr. Scot]

3 minutes ago, kungfoodude said:

Yeah but that has happened with a bunch of our opponents. We play the the level of our opponent, no matter how good or bad. It's very strange. 

That was always the profile under Ron Rivera (and John Fox before him).

I was kinda hoping for better with Matt Rhule.

[kungfoodude]

1 minute ago, Mr. Scot said:

That was always the profile under Ron Rivera (and John Fox before him).

I was kinda hoping for better with Matt Rhule.

Well, it's also a much less talented team than Rivera or Fox typically had to deal with. I am encouraged that we are always close. That is a net positive, IMO. 

[Mr. Scot]

Just now, kungfoodude said:

Well, it's also a much less talented team than Rivera or Fox typically had to deal with. I am encouraged that we are always close. That is a net positive, IMO. 

I'd also like to think that Rhule isn't who he's going to be just yet.

[BrianS]

This year could not be going any better.  Really.

We didn't find our QB last offseason.  Fine, because it looks like we'll be in great position to get one of the top 4 guys, and it seems as though this is a really good year to need a QB.

When you look at our season after it's over, we'll look back and say "Huh, you know what?  A healthy CMC, a few good draft picks and a real offseason for the players and staff and we'll win a few of those close games next season"

Yes, it's early in the process.  But this is what a rebuild actually SHOULD look like.  We aren't there, but you can actually see the building blocks.  High effort.  Production from more than just your starters.  A young staff learning the ropes along with their players.

Relax and enjoy the ride.  Losing does suck, but it seems there is real hope ahead.