CHARLOTTE – Most record-breaking efforts are reason for celebration, but after Carolina's result against Tampa Bay, the Panthers were left to only hope for better next Sunday.
A week after witnessing wide receiver Julio Jones rack up 300 yards of his own, Panthers tight end Greg Olsen did his best to put up similar numbers. He caught nine of the 13 passes quarterback Derek Anderson threw his way and amassed 181 yards, the most in his 10-year NFL career and the most ever for a Panthers tight end.
Not only did he set a new personal and team best; he also surpassed Kellen Winslow, Sr. for eighth all-time in tight end receiving yardage.
It was not unexpected that he would find success with Anderson under center. In the quarterback's two previous Panther starts, Olsen collected 18 catches for 193 yards. They continue to build on that chemistry on a weekly basis, running the same drills, in the same order, in the same spots on the field before every game.
Unfortunately, it came in a 17-14 loss to Tampa Bay.
"Greg is just consistent," Anderson said of his favorite receiver's success. "He works every day, and you know what you're going to get out of him. He's obviously great and a great asset to our team."
Of course, the record Olsen is concerned about cannot be found in the Panthers' or the NFL record book. Instead, it is the two numbers attached to the entire Carolina Panthers organization: 1-4.
"We're not going to play the next 11 games at once," Olsen said. "That's just the reality. This is not a game for the faint of heart. There's a lot of pressures. It's a pressure-filled industry, we all know that. Everyone's jobs are on the line. It's a production-based industry. We get it. We know. This is what we signed up for, and we're not going to come in Wednesday and feel bad for it.
"New Orleans doesn't care. New Orleans is coming off a bye ready for us to come down there, and they think they're going to beat us. That's the way the NFL works. There's no breaks, there's no days off. We've got to get back to work here and try to get our second win and take it from there."
Although Olsen did his part and produced almost 44 percent of the Panthers' 414 total yards, it was not enough to propel the Panthers into second place in the NFC South and snap what is now a three-game losing skid.
"I thought Greg had a great day," head coach Ron Rivera said. "He did some big things for us. He put us in position and helped give us a chance to win. It's unfortunate we have to waste a great effort from what he did."
View game action photos from Carolina's 17-14 loss to Tampa Bay.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Jacquizz Rodgers (32) is tackled by Carolina Panthers' Robert McClain (27) in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Oct. 10, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Jameis Winston (3) looks to pass against the Carolina Panthers in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Oct. 10, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Jameis Winston, left, is sacked by Carolina Panthers' Robert McClain, right, in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Oct. 10, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Derek Anderson (3) throws a pass over Tampa Bay Buccaneers' William Gholston (92) in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Oct. 10, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Kelvin Benjamin (13) is knocked out of bounds by Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Vernon Hargreaves (28) in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Oct. 10, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Fozzy Whittaker (43) is tackled by Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Chris Conte (23) in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Oct. 10, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Kelvin Benjamin (13) catches a pass against Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Vernon Hargreaves (28) in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Oct. 10, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Derek Anderson (3) looks to pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Oct. 10, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Greg Olsen (88) runs after a catch as Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Lavonte David (54) defends in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Oct. 10, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Cameron Artis-Payne (34) dives over the goal line for a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Oct. 10, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Cameron Artis-Payne (34) reaches the ball over the goal line for a touchdown as Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Bradley McDougald (30) defends in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Oct. 10, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Cameron Brate (84) catches a pass as Carolina Panthers' Luke Kuechly (59) and A.J. Klein (56) defend in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Oct. 10, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Mike Evans (13) catches a touchdown pass against Carolina Panthers' Daryl Worley (26) in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Oct. 10, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers' William Gholston (92) recovers a fumble by Carolina Panthers' Derek Anderson (3) in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Oct. 10, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Jameis Winston (3) is sacked by Carolina Panthers' Tre Boston (33) in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Oct. 10, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Cameron Artis-Payne (34) runs as Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Chris Conte (23) defends in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Oct. 10, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Brent Grimes (24) intercepts a pass intended for Carolina Panthers' Greg Olsen (88) in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Oct. 10, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Mike Evans (13) catches a pass as Robert McClain, back, and Thomas Davis (58) defend in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Oct. 10, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Roberto Aguayo (19) kicks the game-winning field goal against the Carolina Panthers in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Oct. 10, 2016. The Buccaneers won 17-14. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Roberto Aguayo (19) kicks the game-winning field goal against the Carolina Panthers in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Oct. 10, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers players celebrate after Roberto Aguayo's game-winning kick against the Carolina Panthers in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Oct. 10, 2016. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers players celebrate with kicker Roberto Aguayo (19) after his game-winning field goal against the Carolina Panthers in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Oct. 10, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
