Panthers ponder QB situation immediately after rout by Bengals

CINCINNATI (AP) — Just when the Carolina Panthers’ time appeared as if it could not get any even worse, they played the worst first 50 % in team record — and a further transform at quarterback may possibly be in their upcoming.

Dealing with a Cincinnati Bengals crew actively playing on a shorter week after its possess embarrassing 32-13 reduction on Monday night at Cleveland, Carolina (2-7) went into halftime trailing 35- — the biggest intermission deficit in franchise historical past — in advance of scoring a few garbage-time touchdowns and losing 42-21.

The team’s past biggest halftime deficit was 32- at New Orleans in 7 days 17 of the 2019 period on the way to a 42-10 decline.

“I really can’t pinpoint what occurred,” stated interim Carolina mentor Steve Wilks, who took in excess of when Matt Rhule was fired on Oct. 10. “We’ve obtained to do a improved occupation of obtaining them ready.”

P.J. Walker went 3 for 10 for 9 yards with two interceptions in the initially half right before becoming relieved by early-year starter Baker Mayfield, who led the Panthers to a landing on their initial possession of the next fifty percent.

“I’m just not certain what happened,” Walker reported. “Things just weren’t going my way.”

Carolina produced 32 yards of offense in the first 50 percent when providing up 311.

Carolina’s protection not only allowed Bengals running back Joe Mixon to hurry for 153 yards and set a franchise file by scoring 5 touchdowns, it created pretty much no strain on Joe Burrow in opposition to an offensive line that had yielded 29 sacks in Cincinnati’s initially 8 video games. The Panthers sacked Burrow at the time.

Mixon experienced scored 3 touchdowns more than the Bengals’ initially 8 games. He had that lots of by halftime on Sunday.

“Give credit score to him,” Wilks mentioned. “He’s a good working again. They have a good offense. We didn’t support ourselves.”

Carolina also committed six of its seven penalties in advance of halftime. The Panthers ended up whistled five periods in the to start with 50 percent for offsides. The Bengals declined 3.

“That’s just becoming undisciplined,” Wilks stated. “You’ve received to make positive you are guiding the line. Which is inexcusable.”

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Talking of shorter weeks, Carolina hosts NFC South rival Atlanta on Thursday. The Panthers lost 37-34 in time beyond regulation at Atlanta on Oct 30.

Sunday’s start was Walker’s fourth straight in area of Mayfield, whose three 2nd-fifty percent scoring drives could place him back in the combine for the task.

“I really do not want to get into that,” Mayfield said. “I just want to win. That’s not my decision.”

Also again in the quarterback picture is Sam Darnold, who is thanks to be activated by Tuesday. Darnold hasn’t performed this 12 months due to the fact of a superior ankle sprain.

“I couldn’t tell you proper now,” Wilks claimed abut Thursday’s starter. “We’ve acquired a limited week. It is a swift turnaround. We’ll get again tonight and get into the developing and get to operate.”

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