Did the Carolina Panthers find any answers from their most disheartening defeat of the season?
Let’s siphon some meaningful takeaways out of Thursday night’s snap counts.
Stuck
The ground game was completely shut down for everyone, as Carolina’s backs combined for 25 yards on 12 carries. But Miles Sanders may have just taken another rough step back.
After a relatively encouraging showing in Week 9, where he recorded 39 yards on six carries along with another 22 yards on three catches, Sanders was given just two rushing attempts over 23 snaps. He finished the night five yards in the red and with seven fewer totes than Chuba Hubbard.
Bang for their buck
Marquis Haynes Sr. may have been gone for a while, but he’s still the same efficient pass rusher we’ve come to know.
After missing the first eight games of the season due to a back injury, the sixth-year linebacker returned with a team-high five pressures over a team-low 17 defensive snaps. His five hurries came on 14 pass-rushing opportunities.
While the season may be lost, at least the Panthers may have found the primary complement to Brian Burns off the edge.
His part still goes on . . .
Cornerback Dicaprio Bootle made the most out of his extended time in the absence of CJ Henderson last week. He did the same on Thursday night.
The 26-year-old played all 72 defensive snaps in his first career start. He was firm in coverage once again, allowing 35 yards on three receptions over six targets, per Pro Football Focus.
Similarly to Haynes Sr., Bootle is proving to be a reliable asset on a defense that needs some depth.
