The Carolina Panthers fell to 1-3 on Sunday with a home loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
In a game where the Panthers had a 10-3 lead at halftime.
They were unable to get anything going in the second half, scoring only six points and losing 26-16.
Carolina is a team with plenty of issues that need to be corrected.
But, the big one is at quarterback.
Baker Mayfield has been bad for the Panthers through four weeks.
On Sunday he threw for 197 yards and two interceptions, along with losing a fumble.
The Carolina offense only mustered up one touchdown in the game, which came once they were down 26-10.
Mayfield has an issue with his passes being batted down.
Baker Mayfield's 5 batted passes against the Cardinals were the most by a QB in 5 years
He already has 10 batted passes this season
That's 3 more than any other QB in the NFL
— Mike Renner (@PFF_Mike) October 3, 2022
The former first-overall pick is completing only 54.7% of his passes this year.
As an offense, you need to be able to find ways for easy completions and pick up first downs.
This whole team just seems disjointed at the moment and that will fall back on the head coach, Matt Rhule.
Something Rhule might consider to try and save his job is a quarterback change.
Mayfield is not getting it done so there is no reason for Rhule to stick with him.
With Sam Darnold still injured, P.J. Walker would be the next man in line for the Panthers.
One thing Walker has that Mayfield does not is mobility.
He could help open the rushing offense by adding more read options and do a better job of avoiding sacks.
This team needs a spark and it could come with a QB change.
On the other side of the ball, the Panthers defense has been solid.
They are giving up 21.3 points per game and even scored a touchdown against Arizona.
Carolina is getting production out of their first-round picks, Jaycee Horn and Brian Burns.
Rhule is a defensive coach, so seeing his side of the ball playing well could give him a longer leash.
But, this Panthers team has to start winning games.
Rhule’s Last Stand
The Panthers are about to enter the toughest part of their schedule.
Their next three games are, vs. San Francisco, at LA Rams, and vs. Tampa Bay.
All three of those teams are better than the Panthers but they must find a way to win at least one.
If the Panthers fall to 1-6 or 2-5 after that stretch, Rhule may be on his way out.
Also, factoring in how they play in those games will matter.
No team wants to be embarrassed.
Many coaches have been fired mid-season after a blowout loss.
If the Panthers can compete in all of those games and win at least one, Rhule will probably get the rest of the season.
Even though, Rhule has yet to have a franchise QB during his tenure.
In a quarterback-driven league, it is hard to consistently win without a good one.
But, his career record of 11-26 is not a good look.
The #Panthers are now 1-26 under Matt Rhule when the opponent scores at least 17 points – including 24 losses in a row.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 2, 2022
Plus, the inability to win games with your opponent only scoring 17 points goes to show the lack of offense under Rhule.
Maybe the Panthers need a new offensive coordinator as well as a new QB.
But, Carolina has good offensive players in D.J. Moore and Christian McCaffrey but struggles to get them going.
Playing well and winning games is the only way Rhule can save his job.
NEXT: Panthers HC Offers Weak Support For Baker Mayfield
