Less than 24 hours after the Carolina Panthers earned their first victory of the season, coach Matt Rhule had a clear task for the team heading into Week 4.
“I think the key is to try to be the same guy every day, so I challenged them today to have the same intensity about improving that they had last week at 0-2,” Rhule said. “That is the key to being great. It’s come in every week, see what we did well, see we what we did not do well, and improve.”
Carolina (1-2) beat the Saints 22-14 on Sunday largely in part to its defense (two interceptions, a forced fumble and a touchdown), special teams (three made field goals and a blocked field goal) and receiver Laviska Shenault (two catches, 90 yards and a touchdown).
As Panthers players keep saying, “it’s just one game,” but the mood inside the locker rooms at Bank of America Stadium felt different Sunday, and likely will all week.
“I do hope that they feel validated that we know that we are a good team,” Rhule said. “We can play with good teams. “We’ve played three games. They’ve all come down to the wire.”
The Panthers were on the right side of missed field goals and turnovers for the first time this season. But as Rhule often reminds his teams, win or lose, the problems that show up on tape remain.
The offense remains too stagnant. Carolina went 4-for-14 on third downs against New Orleans. Entering Sunday, Carolina averaged 8.4 yards needed on third-down plays. Against New Orleans, its average third down yards needed was 6.2.
That’s better, but far from where Rhule, quarterback Baker Mayfield or offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo want it.
“It’s one game,” guard Brady Christensen said. “I feel like that hunger has to be there because we have a ways to go to be where we want to be — and that’s competing in February.”
For Carolina to even think about playoff, February football, the offense must figure out its passing woes. Rhule said there are several reasons things between Mayfield, D.J. Moore, Robbie Anderson and the rest of the pass catchers still are not clicking. From protection errors to missed throws and a lack of downfield separation, the offense needs help.
Rhule said this is a big week of practice for the wide receivers, who are desperate for a clear-cut No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 option to emerge within McAdoo’s system.
Through three games, Mayfield has taken nine sacks (sixth most in the NFL). He ranks 28th out of 34 qualified quarterbacks in completions and yards.
“Baker has protected the ball,” Rhule said. “So there’s a lot of positive things. We’re running the ball really well. But our passing game, specifically third down, but in general, it’s just not anywhere near where we want it to be.”
There are some positives that have emerged early this season: Carolina can run the football. Christian McCaffrey is the only running back in the league this year to record consecutive 100-yard games.
Carolina can also stop the run. In back-to-back weeks, the Panthers have held a Pro Bowl running back in check.
“It lets you know that you can control the game,” Rhule said of running the ball and defending the run. ”You can get into games and be behind or be ahead, but you want to control the game, you want to control the line of scrimmage.”
The Panthers are doing that while finally generating turnovers. The team was plus-three in takeaways on Sunday, sparked by defensive end Marquis Haynes first-quarter scoop-and-score touchdown.
Linebacker Frankie Luvu set up the touchdown by stripping running back Alvin Kamara before Haynes ran 44 yards untouched to pay dirt. After the game, Rhule said the touchdown helped unleash the defense’s spirit.
“I felt like once I picked up the fumble and scored, everyone felt really crunked up, ready to go,” Haynes said. “Everybody had juice.”
After Sunday’s game, the team awarded Rhule with a game ball. Such an honor is rare for a coach. Receiver Robbie Anderson delivered the ball to Rhule in front of all the players, coaches and executives in the locker room.
Rhule said he’s grateful for the gesture but he’d rather his players continue proving they are winners.
“I want the game to always be about the players,” Rhule said. “With that being said, it was a tremendous honor. But at the end of the day, it’s not about me. I want them to make me right.”
