ANALYSIS: "Things started well for the Panthers. They had an early lead on the Buccaneers as Teddy Bridgewater completed his first 12 passes, including two for touchdowns. But the Carolina offense began to sputter, the defense imploded and Bridgewater exited the game in the final minutes with a knee injury in a 46-23 loss. The Panthers remain a fun and competitive team most weeks, but you can't ignore a losing streak that has now stretched to five games. Third-down defense continues to be a huge problem: Tom Brady converted on six of seven third downs in the first half; in the third quarter, Carolina allowed a checkdown pass to tight end Cameron Brate to go for a first down on third-and-19. Ugly stuff."
ANALYSIS: "What would they take back: Fourth-and-1 to Alex Armah in the opener
The Panthers have arguably the best all-purpose back in the NFL in Christian McCaffrey and a chance to win Matt Rhule's opener at home. Then on fourth-and-1 from the Las Vegas 46 with 1:23 remaining, they gave the ball to Armah, a fullback who was stuffed for no gain. Very conservative call for offensive coordinator Joe Brady. The Raiders won 34-30, and that seemed to set the tone for a season in which the Panthers haven't figured out a way to consistently finish off games, losing five by eight points or fewer and three by four or fewer."
ANALYSIS: "Teddy Bridgewater is banged up with a knee injury, so his status is up in the air. They've lost five straight games, but they've been better than that."
ANALYSIS: "Next year could be above average. This year definitely won't be."
ANALYSIS: "It's bad enough that the Carolina Panthers got drilled Sunday by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 23-point thumping was Carolina's fifth straight loss, making the 3-2 start to the season seem like a distant memory.
But what happened to quarterback Teddy Bridgewater late in the game was the worst news of all for the Panthers.
Bridgewater was forced from the game in the fourth quarter after getting his knee twisted on a sack. It wasn't the same knee that he shredded with the Vikings in 2016, but head coach Matt Rhule indicated after the game that he isn't sure about Bridgewater's status for Week 11.
"He got up and walked off," Rhule told reporters. "When it comes to knees and stuff like that, I don't know. I haven't had a chance to see him. I have no idea [how he is]."
It's been that kind of season in Charlotte."
Carolina leads the all-time series with Detroit, 7-3.
DJ Moore breaks a tackle against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Sunday, November 18, 2018.
DJ Moore makes a reception against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Sunday, November 18, 2018.
Carolina Panthers play against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, September 14, 2014.
Detroit Lions quarterback Daunte Culpepper (11) loses the ball as he attempts to score on a two-point conversion during the second half of the Lions' 31-22 loss to the Carolina Panthers in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers safety Mike Minter, right, runs an interception back 40 yards for a touchdown as Emmmanuel McDaniel, left, follows in the third quarter against the Detroit Lions in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 15, 2002. The Panthers won 31-7. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Cam Newton hands the ball off to Christian McCaffrey against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Sunday, November 18, 2018.
Carolina Panthers play against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, September 14, 2014.
Detroit Lions quarterback Joey Harrington is brought down by Carolina Panthers defensive end Al Wallace in the fourth quarter in Detroit on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2005. Harrington finished 17-of-28 for 201 yards with an interception and two fumbles in the Lions' 21-20 loss. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Carolina Panthers play against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, September 14, 2014.
Carolina Panthers play against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, September 14, 2014.
Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88), defended by Detroit Lions cornerback Eric Wright (21) scores on a two-point conversion during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Carolina Panthers play against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, September 14, 2014.
Carolina Panthers play against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, September 14, 2014.
Carolina Panthers play against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, September 14, 2014.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) runs after a catch against the Detroit Lions in the third quarter of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman block the Carolina Panthers defensive line in the first half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Carolina Panthers receiver Ricky Proehl (81) pulls in a 3-yard touchdown reception in front of Detroit Lions cornerback R.W. McQuarters (31) in the final minute of the game in Detroit, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2005. The Panthers defeated the Lions 21-20. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) throws against the Detroit Lions in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Carolina Panthers play against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, September 14, 2014.
Carolina Panthers play against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, September 14, 2014.
Detroit Lions running back Kevin Smith (30) is stopped by the Carolina Panthers defense during the second quarter of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Carolina Panthers' DeAngelo Williams (34) runs for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Detroit Lions in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Carolina Panthers' Jonathan Stewart, right, runs past Detroit Lions' Ikaika Alama-Francis (97) during the second half of the Panthers' 31-22 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Carolina Panthers' Julius Peppers (90) stands over Detroit Lions quarterback Daunte Culpepper (11) after sacking him and causing a fumble during the second half of the Panthers' 31-22 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008. The Panthers recovered the ball. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Detroit Lions quarterback Daunte Culpepper (11) throws a pass under pressure from Carolina Panthers' Jon Beason (52) during the second half of the Panthers' 31-22 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers safety Mike Minter signals a turnover after causing Detroit Lions wide receiver Mike Williams to fumble during the third quarter in Detroit, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2005. The Panthers won 21-20. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Chris Weinke (16) is lifted by lineman Todd Fordham after throwing a 3-yard touchdown pass to Ricky Proehl in the final minute of the game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2005. The Panthers beat the Lions 21-20. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Carolina Panthers' Muhsin Muhammad, top, catches a 22-yard touchdown pass as Detroit Lions Chris Cash (29) defends in the second quarter in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 15, 2002. (AP Photo/Rusty Burroughs)
Carolina Panthers receiver Keary Colbert (83), defended by Detroit Lions cornerback Andre Goodman (35) pulls in a pass for 42 yards, at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2005. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Julius Peppers and Luke Kuechly makes a tackle against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Sunday, November 18, 2018.
Greg Olsen celebrates a touchdown against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Sunday, November 18, 2018.
