The Carolina Panthers' 2024 season took an unexpected turn, marked by a disheartening and lackadaisical performance in their opener. The defense struggled tremendously, surrendering a staggering 115 rushing yards in just the first half. This inability to contain the run quickly put the game out of reach, leaving fans and analysts alike questioning the team's strategy, determination, and execution. With only one sack, no interceptions, and no forced fumbles, the Panthers’ defense fell flat, allowing the New Orleans Saints to set franchise records—a result, and effort that would have surely disappointed the legendary Sam Mills. His mantra was given to us to Keep Pounding, but the Panthers defense never even started Pounding, allowing an eye opening 47 points.

The Panthers made headlines during the 2023 offseason by investing everything in rookie quarterback Bryce Young, selecting him first overall in the draft. However, fans' hopes were dashed as Young threw two interceptions in his 2024 debut. One of which, on his very 1st passing attempt. While he managed to accumulate 161 passing yards, and even added a rushing touchdown, the performance was overshadowed by the recurring theme of quarterback struggles in Carolina. The pressure from the opposing defense seemed to rattle him, highlighting a persistent issue: our quarterbacks appear to be plagued by a lack of confidence in the face of a fierce pass rush. Or possibly even worse, our quarterbacks quickly become scarred from ineffective offensive lines. We continue to see this play out with quarterbacks for Carolina.

As we look ahead, it becomes abundantly clear that stopping the run is paramount for the Panthers this season. Coach Dave Canales must prioritize gap containment above all else if there’s any hope for turning the tide. The defensive line needs to step up, and the linebackers must fill gaps effectively to prevent further embarrassment. This task just got much taller as Derrick Brown, our all-pro defensive tackle, has been lost for the season due to injury against the Saints. With the right adjustments, the Panthers can find their defensive identity and provide the offensive unit with a fighting chance.

In summary, the path forward for the Carolina Panthers hinges not only on developing Young into a reliable quarterback but also on establishing a formidable defense that can halt the run. Only with a balanced approach can the team hope to find success in the challenging season ahead. Fans must follow in the footsteps of The C3 Panthers Podcast, our Panthers legend Sam Mills, and Keep Pounding for brighter days ahead.

By @DeezIllSkillz