Panther HC Sends Message to Team After 3rd Straight Loss

The Carolina Panthers sent a statement to the team that they needed to do better after losing to the Green Bay Packers 27-19 on "Thursday Night Football" in Week 8. 

The Panthers fired defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, naming Todd Walsh as their interim defensive coordinator for the rest of the season.

Carolina allowed the Denver Broncos to score 10 points on their first two possessions. The Panthers also surrendered two touchdowns in the fourth quarter of a 26-21 loss to the Broncos on Sunday.

The Panthers are now on a three-game losing streak, having lost 43-13 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Oct. 25. Carolina has not won a game since beating the Philadelphia Eagles 25-14 on Oct. 18. The Panthers are tied with the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 3-5 in the NFC South, though the Buccaneers had yet to play the Chicago Bears on "Sunday Night Football."

During his postgame news conference, Panthers head coach Dave Canales was asked what the message to his team was after losing a third consecutive contest. He said the main message was that the team needed to execute better. He pointed to penalties as a major issue.

The Panthers were called for 13 penalties totaling 119 yards. In contrast, the Broncos were flagged five times for 50 yards. Carolina also lost the turnover battle 2-1. 

Canales said the team has to play "aggressive" and "connected" to beat teams like the Broncos. He believes Denver is sitting at 7-2 because they can execute consistently. He was impressed with the way his team battled at the end, earning an opportunity to win the game. But they have to finish.

Canales has identified the issues, but making a change will prove to be the hardest part. They're a long way away from being where the Broncos are under Sean Payton.

At some point, players in the locker room are going to have to take over and lead the team. Right now, the Panthers have a strong level of disconnect.

The Panthers will next go on the road to play the Saints. New Orleans defeated the Cleveland Browns 23-22 in overtime on Sunday. For Carolina, it feels like a must-win game.

Losing a fourth consecutive game would be crushing, especially against an NFC South opponent still in the race to win the division. The Panthers will have to clean up the penalties to win that ga