CHARLOTTE — Panthers head coach Dave Canales sees the same pattern you see.
But perhaps because of his optimistic nature, he’s choosing to latch onto the good stuff rather than what usually follows.
Since the three-game win streak from Weeks 5 through 7, which lifted them from 1-3 to 4-3, the Panthers have alternated wins and losses each week.
That’s created a bit of a whiplash effect, as big wins like those at Green Bay and here against the Rams are followed by frustrating defeats (in both instances to the Saints).
“Yeah, this team is trying to find an identity of professionalism, of maturity to just have that consistent outcome weekly,” Canales said Monday. “That’s what we’re looking for. That’s what we’re shooting for. That is our best football. That’s what we have to go find, and that’s the challenge that we all have as a staff, and certainly the players as well.
“We’re all in this thing together, and we have to find consistency because that’s what really good teams look like, because they show up week in and week out, and they do the basic parts of their job to where the other opponent should have to make spectacular plays to win the game. If we all do our jobs well, whether that’s, whether that’s offense or defense or special teams, if we execute our technique, if we do right, and we grade out at a really high standpoint and our technique is right, then it should take an excellent effort by the opponent, and those things happen and you’ve got to live with those.
“But the more that we can minimize the things that are given because we have poor technique or the things that are given because we missed an assignment, we have to get that out of our game, and certainly the penalty game needs to be cleaned up as well.”
The Panthers committed a season-high 11 penalties for 103 yards Sunday, the biggest and most visible sign of that inconsistency that’s plagued them this year.