The Carolina Panthers’ embarrassing 38-10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on December 17, 2023, highlighted several areas where the team struggled. Here are four notable “losers” from the game:
1. Bryce Young (Quarterback): Young, the Panthers’ rookie quarterback, faced immense pressure throughout the game. His decision-making appeared erratic, throwing a costly interception and struggling to find any rhythm with his receivers. Despite flashes of talent, his inability to execute under pressure contributed heavily to the blowout.
2. Offensive Line: The offensive line had a disastrous outing, allowing Young to be sacked multiple times. They were overpowered by the Cowboys’ defensive front, consistently getting pushed back, leading to little time for the quarterback and minimal running lanes for the backs.
3. Panthers’ Defense: While the defense has had some moments this season, they were absolutely gashed by Dak Prescott and the Cowboys’ offense. Allowing over 300 yards through the air and multiple touchdowns, the Panthers defense failed to contain the high-powered Cowboys offense, showing a lack of cohesion and missed tackles.
4. Coaching Staff: The Panthers’ coaching staff, led by Frank Reich, couldn’t adjust to the Cowboys’ dominance. There was no apparent game plan to slow down the Cowboys, and the offense seemed utterly unprepared for the defensive pressure they faced. The lack of adjustments in the second half, after falling behind, only highlighted the coaching staff’s inability to adapt.
However, amidst the wreckage, Miles Sanders (the running back) provided a positive spark with his few solid runs, making him the lone bright spot in a dark game for Carolina. Despite his efforts, the overall performance left much to be desired.
