The Carolina Panthers are off and running. But make no mistake, the hard work is just getting started.
One win, regardless of how impressive it was, counts for just that. One win gets you the No. 1 overall pick, not a place in the playoffs, throughout the campaign. The Panthers need to build on this positive momentum and string together good performances to ensure this becomes the start of a profitable spell for this once downtrodden franchise.
That's the message being sent to the locker room from head coach Dave Canales. They set their new standard with a shutout victory over the Atlanta Falcons.