CHARLOTTE — The Carolina Panthers hit a new low, and there’s a good chance it will be the last straw for embattled head coach Matt Rhule.
The Panthers lost 37-15 to the 49ers on Sunday, dropping to 1-4 on the season — a season that started with four home games in the first five weeks. Sunday’s loss at Bank of America Stadium came in front of a crowd that may have featured more red 49ers jerseys and blue empty seats than hometown fans clad in Panthers colors.
There were still enough Panthers fans in the building to boo loudly when Rhule opted for a field goal with the team down 30-12 in the fourth quarter.
“It’s a three-score game,” Rhule explained afterward. “You have to score three times anyways. To me, I don’t even think there is a debate about it. You kick the field goal to make it a two-score game with, I think it was, seven minutes left.”
Rhule also raised eyebrows with a decision to go for a two-point conversion after the Panthers scored to pull to 17-9. He explained that it was because a San Francisco penalty moved the ball from the 2-yard line to the 1. Rhule then sent in backup quarterback P.J. Walker to run the play, which was unsuccessful.
The Panthers were held below 20 points for the third time in four weeks and have not scored more than 24 this season, but Rhule continued to downplay the offensive woes.
“A lot of credit to them,” he said of the San Francisco defense. “This is the No. 1 defense in the league. They are holding people to 9, 10, 11. … Like I said, these guys last week got after the Rams. They had seven sacks. We knew it was going to be a challenge.”
He also downplayed the pro-San Francisco crowd.
“I don’t pay attention to that,” he said. “We kind of came into the game knowing San Francisco travels well. We knew that. But we didn’t have to use silent count or anything like that. I know some teams that have played them had to. I was just focused on the game and what was on the field. I don’t think it had an impact.”
Quarterback Baker Mayfield continued to struggle to spark the offense. He was 20-of-36 passing for 215 yards and threw a pick-six just before halftime when Carolina had a chance to tie the score on a last-minute drive. Mayfield came to the postgame press conference with his foot in a protective boot and will have an MRI on his ankle Monday.
“A little painful right now. Not really sure what exactly it is,” he said.
With Mayfield’s future uncertain, there’s a chance that the Matt Rhule era could end on Monday. Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio tweeted that owner David Tepper is expected to change coaches on Monday following the lackluster performance on the field and at the attendance gates.
“I hope you guys can understand. I’m here to talk about the game,” Rhule said when asked about his job security. “I’ve always been very forthright with you guys. You know, I have nothing to say about that now. Really just here to talk about the game today. I would never would want to make this about me.”
