The Carolina Panthers are basically unwatchable for any fan at this point. I admit that I skipped most of their last game against Green Bay because I completely expected it to be a massive blowout and in the first half that is exactly what it looked like it was going to be.
src
The offensive line as completely useless as expected and Teddy Bridgewater had very little time to even try to do anything with the ball on what seemed to be almost every snap. Green Bay went for the blitz frequently (or so it appeared to me) and the pressure resulted in him frequently needing to scramble. The fact that he was able to complete 21 passes over the entire game is a massive testament to his abilities, but much like was the case with Cam Newton, if they can't find a way to protect this guy he is going to get injured and then where will the team go? He was sacked 3 times and lost a fumble once.
Carolina going into the locker room down 21-3 was not a surprise to me at all and I found myself sitting in my recliner looking at my phone rather than the game that was on in front of me.
src
Green Bay's QB attempted far fewer passes but he didn't really need to because the Packers actually have a very effective running game. Miraculously, Aaron Rodgers got sacked 5 times to Bridgewater's 3 but if you watched the game you would quickly see that the Green Bay offensive line was giving him a lot more time to figure out what he was going to do with the ball. It was only because the Panthers have a decent secondary that resulted in him having no options and these led to more of lie-downs than sacks but well, that is how the game is scored.
The panthers did manage to score a touchdown in the 2nd half at which point I was already watching something else on TV - too bad I missed that since it is a very rare thing for Carolina to get anything more than a field goal this season. A pair of field goals in the 4th was more of a consolation prize than hard-fought-victories and even though I can't say for sure, it wouldn't surprise me if the Packers let off the gas in the 2nd half until Carolina got inside the Green Bay 40.
I suppose I should be happy that the Panthers got any points at all since Green Bay is at the top of the NFC and are definitely going to the playoffs. Of course, to any Green Bay fans out there I would say don't get your hopes up because you guys manage to screw up the playoffs possibly more than any other team in the NFL.
The Panthers fired their General Manager Marty Hurney after the loss and this is just starting to seem customary in Charlotte in the past 5 years. When the team does badly change the management... that aughta sort things out, right?
It's a messed up season for a Carolina fan but honestly, we are kind of getting used to it at this point
In other news, what the hell is going on with Pittsburgh? You lose 3 in a row after looking unstoppable for all the games prior. The last loss was to the Bengals of all people! The Bengals are one of the only teams in the NFL that I feel Carolina would have a chance against!
.