The Carolina Panthers had everything in front of them heading into their crunch Week 15 road game against the New Orleans Saints. Head coach Dave Canales' squad led the NFC South, knowing that two wins over the next fortnight would get them to an elusive division crown and their first playoff berth since 2017.
But as has typically been the case throughout recent years, the hope and optimism were quickly sapped by a demoralizing defeat.
It was sloppy all around for the Panthers. They were undisciplined, and the urgency that saw them topple the Los Angeles Rams had gone.