The Carolina Panthers left New Orleans like many visitors do—feeling bruised, battered, and likely queasy. In a blowout loss, finding any positives is a challenge, but a few Panthers stood out despite the chaos. Whatever hope and optimism surrounded the Panthers going into Week 1 vanished well before halftime. The New Orleans Saints embarrassed them, racking up 47 points, while Carolina showed almost no progress despite the hard work of head coach Dave Canales throughout the offseason.
This game was a wake-up call for those who thought the Panthers were ready to take a big step in 2024. They showed a lack of quality and preparation for the obstacles ahead. If Canales hadn’t been aware of the size of the challenge before, he definitely is now. With that said, let’s dive into the few standouts and the many disappointments from Carolina’s disastrous defeat at the Caesars Superdome.
Performers:
Mike Jackson
In his Panthers debut, Mike Jackson, starting as the cornerback opposite Jaycee Horn, made his presence felt all over the field. Jackson’s performance was one of the few highlights for Carolina in their blowout loss. He amassed seven tackles and had a crucial pass deflection, demonstrating his ability to cover deep routes and reliable tackling. Despite these positives, Jackson had a significant lapse when he was penalized for pass interference on a pass that sailed well over Saints receiver Rashid Shaheed’s head. This mistake highlighted his otherwise strong performance.
Xavier Legette
Rookie Xavier Legette made a notable impact by recording his first career receptions in his NFL debut. Legette caught four passes for 35 yards, marking a promising start to his professional career. With Jonathan Mingo struggling and having a rough outing, Legette’s performance could lead to increased playing time as the season progresses, allowing the Panthers to evaluate their 2024 first-round pick more closely.
Eku Leota
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NFL stories via Google! Follow Us
Eku Leota also shone in a difficult game for the Panthers. He earned his first NFL sack by bringing down Derek Carr, a significant milestone for the second-year undrafted free agent. Leota played alongside Jadeveon Clowney in a rotating outside linebacker role and finished the game with four tackles, including three for losses. His contribution was a rare bright spot amid a challenging game for Carolina’s defense.
Also Read: From Jerry Rice To Emmitt Smith: Here Are 5 NFL Players With The Most Touchdowns Of All Time
Disappointments:
Bryce Young
Bryce Young’s performance on Sunday was notably poor, echoing many of the issues from his rookie season. Young struggled throughout the game, and his play was one of the major reasons for Carolina’s heavy defeat. Despite the broader team struggles, Young’s inability to perform effectively was a glaring issue, underscoring the need for significant improvement if the Panthers hope to turn their season around.
Dave Canales
Head coach Dave Canales faced a challenging debut, with his team looking unprepared and disorganized. The Panthers’ defense was lackluster, the offense lacked innovation, and the special teams were dominated. Canales’ failure to have his team ready was evident in every phase of the game. The offense struggled against the Saints’ defense, particularly with their blitz packages, leaving quarterback Bryce Young exposed and without effective responses. Canales had the opportunity to prepare his team through the preseason, but the lack of actual game experience seemed to hurt the Panthers. While it’s hard to know if playing starters in preseason games would have made a difference, the team’s performance suggested a need for better preparation and strategy.
Jonathan Mingo
Jonathan Mingo overshadowed his 2024 debut with two critical fumbles that marred his performance. After a standout training camp, Mingo had the chance to make a strong impression, but his inability to hold onto the ball led to missed opportunities and further complications for the offense. With the Panthers needing their offensive players to step up, Mingo’s struggles added to the team’s challenges and did little to help quarterback Bryce Young’s cause.
Also Read: Who Are The Top Five Sack Leaders In The NFL?
Carolina Panthers Defense As A Whole
The Panthers’ defense had a particularly rough outing. The Saints’ starting offense dominated, failing to punt throughout the game and scoring on nearly every drive. Rashid Shaheed set a challenging tone early with a 59-yard touchdown on the Saints’ first possession, and the offense continued to exploit gaps in the Panthers’ defense. Despite Jackson’s active play and Leota’s sack, the defense struggled significantly. Ejiro Evero’s unit, which had been a top performer last season, appeared disorganized and ineffective. The Saints rushed for 165 yards and converted 13 first downs on the ground, exposing weaknesses that Evero will need to address before the Panthers face the Chargers, who will likely test the run defense further.
Carolina Panthers Special Teams As A Whole
The special teams unit for the Carolina Panthers was thoroughly outplayed. The Saints excelled in this phase with explosive punt and kick returns, and a blocked punt provided them with excellent field position throughout the game. The Panthers’ special teams issues compounded the team’s overall struggles, contributing to a comprehensive defeat. The dominance of the Saints in all three phases of the game highlighted a lack of cohesion and effectiveness in the Panthers’ special teams unit, underscoring the need for significant improvements.
Also Read: Everyone Had The Same Major Complaint About Tom Brady During His FOX Broadcasting Debut On Sunday
