The Carolina Panthers posted just 13 points in their three-point loss to the Chicago Bears on Thursday night, and after wide receiver Adam Thielen ripped the Panthers for their offensive output.
“We’re just not hitting on all cylinders right now. We’re not hitting on any cylinders,” Thielen said, via Darin Gantt of the Panthers’ official team website. “It’s an embarrassing effort. I think everyone’s just embarrassed, you know, put up what, six points on offense. Like, we didn’t do anything. That’s embarrassing when your defense is playing the way they’re playing, especially the way they’re playing. It’s embarrassing. And like we talked about, we’re putting in good practices. We’re doing the right things; building the momentum that way, but it’s just not translating. That’s tough.”
Thielen logged six catches for 42 yards in the defeat.
Carolina mustered just 213 total yards of offense and only completed 12 first downs. Additionally, the Panthers went 3-of-15 on third downs and averaged a meager 3.7 yards per play. They also totaled a mere 43 rushing yards.
To be fair, Chicago has a solid defense, particularly against the run where it ranks second in the NFL, but poor offense has been a running theme for Carolina all season long.
The Panthers rank just 30th in the league in yardage and 27th in points per game.
Adam Thielen has been one of Carolina’s only sources of offensive production this season, as he has hauled in 68 receptions for 652 yards and four touchdowns in what will likely be his most productive campaign since 2018 when he caught 113 passes for 1,373 yards and nine scores with the Minnesota Vikings. He is currently on pace to total 128 catches this year, which would be a career high.
The 33-year-old spent the first nine years of his career with the Vikings, making a pair of Pro Bowl appearances before joining the Panthers back in the spring.
Carolina is tied for the league’s worst record at 1-8 and will battle the Dallas Cowboys next Sunday.
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