Panthers win a lot of close games: Why Canales, players think they ‘finish’ well
Nearly half of Dave Canales’ 30 games as Panthers head coach have come down to the wire.
Carolina has played in 14 one-score games since the start of the 2024 season, and they’re 10-4 in those matchups. The 10 victories in one-score games make up 83.3% of Canales’ entire coaching win total (12) entering Week 15’s Sunday matchup against the Saints in New Orleans.
This season, the Panthers are 6-1 (85.7%) in games that have come down to eight points or fewer. And the consistent ability to close out tight matchups has put the Panthers in position to make the playoffs for the first time since 2017.
The club’s last loss in a one-score game came in Week 2 when they were forced to climb out of a 24-point third-quarter hole against the Arizona Cardinals. They’ve won six consecutive tightly contested battles ever since.
“We talk about ‘finish’ — we look for opportunities to preach ‘finish’ and in different ways,” Canales said. “As we look at a season, we try to break the season up into quarters as well, so that we have something to kind of sink our teeth into and wrap our mind around, as much as we have. This is a one-game approach right here.”
“We look for ‘finish’ opportunities every Friday,” Canales continued. “‘Focus Friday’ is a ‘finish’ opportunity to wrap up the game plan. Then, we have that walkthrough on Saturday. So, I just keep trying to look for a finish line to have a habit of bursting through the ‘finish,’ doing whatever it takes for as long as it takes, and I believe that’s what shows up for us late in games — is our guys are used to having ‘finish’ opportunities, where you have to refocus at the right time.”
The Panthers’ 71.4% winning percentage in one-score games ranks second among NFL teams since the start of the 2024 campaign.
The Philadelphia Eagles, who are coming off a Super Bowl LVIII win, are first in the league during that span with a 15-5 record (75%).
So, the Panthers are among good company when it comes to winning tight ones. And their chemistry continues to grow, especially as Canales’ standard for daily messaging continues to focus on the details.
“We talk about ‘do right longer,’” Canales said. “You don’t have to do anything special. You don’t have to do anything different. And if you want to be a great team, it’s fundamental execution all the way through the game, regardless if it’s the first play of the game or the last play of the game on a fourth down — we are just asking for that focus and that basic execution.”
Panthers players buy into Canales’ ‘finish’ mantra
In Week 13 against the Los Angeles Rams, rookie receiver Tetairoa McMillan caught a 43-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Bryce Young on fourth-and-2.
That scoring play ended up being the game-winning one in a 31-28 nail-biter against the top team in the NFC. It was a clutch connection for a team that has strung together several last-minute moments over the past three months.
“I feel like it’s our camaraderie — our ability to play together — and I feel like we practice hard enough to where we know what to expect come game time,” McMillan said. “When pressure is high, you know, we all stay cool, calm and collected, like nothing changes. So, I feel like we do a good job of finishing strong, and we’ve got to continue that.”
McMillan hit pay dirt with 3:24 left in the game. So, the defense still had to live up the Panthers’ “finish” mantra against the Rams. And they did.
Defensive end Derrick Brown delivered with strip-sack that was recovered by outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum to secure the win.
“We just keep playing,” said cornerback Mike Jackson, who had a pick-six against the Rams. “No matter how the game starts, we just find a way to put ourselves in better positions, so in the fourth quarter, we have a chance to win.”
Kicker Ryan Fitzgerald has scored the final point in five of the Panthers’ seven one-score games this season. Whether it’s been a field goal or an extra point, Fitzgerald’s leg has factored into the closing moments of those close matchups.
As he prepares to kick on the sideline, he trusts that the offense and the defense will handle their parts.
“I think it’s just how we practice every day, and put an emphasis on it,” Fitzgerald said finishing strong. “Every day, we go out with a purpose and an intent to get better, and that’s one of our main things in our play style is ‘finish,’ and so I think we’re just really embodying that this year.”
The Panthers are likely in for some more tight matchups down the stretch.
In addition to playing the Saints (3-10) this weekend, they have two bouts against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-6), book-ending a home battle against the Seattle Seahawks (10-3) later this month.
If the Panthers continue to “finish,” they could buy themselves an extra week of action (or more) in the playoffs in January.
“I think it’s something that’s been building over the last two years — how we practice, how we preach to our entire team our philosophy is ‘finish,’ and I think that’s the thing that’s really emerged this year, is everyone can see that,” tight end Tommy Tremble said. “No matter what’s going on, (critics) always count us out — we rise to the occasion every time, and every single position group, too. And that’s really fun to see on offense and defense. Seeing guys ball out when everyone doubts us.”
Added Tremble: “And so, we’re used to it now, but we still got the same work ethic, still got the same drive that we had in the beginning of the season — not knowing how it was going to go — and so as long as stick to that script, I think we’ll be A-OK.”
David Tepper praises Panthers’ culture at ‘Joy to the Carolinas’
The David and Nicole Tepper Foundation and the Panthers hosted their seventh annual “Joy to the Carolinas” event at Bank of America Stadium on Tuesday.
Along with Coca-Cola Consolidated, the Teppers and the team hosted aronud 1,000 children from regional Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCAs, YWCAs and local community center programs. The attendees were treated to dinner, coats, gloves, blankets, shoes and toys.
The team had more than 60 players and 15 legends in attendance to help with passing out food, toys and gear.
Canales, GM Dan Morgan and EVP of football operations Brandt Tilis, along with their families, were also part of the festivities.
“I think it just shows, when you see these guys up there — you can just look for yourself — and see that’s the team, and they’re up there doing this thing together and building this thing together, not only on the field but out here in the community,” Panthers owner David Tepper said. “And they’re truly enjoying themselves — giving back. So, that sort of enthusiasm and joy is not just on the field, but it’s everything with these guys.”
Young, Derrick Brown and interior offensive linemen Austin Corbett were front and center while handing out essentials to the children.
The attendees, who were identified through Second Harvest’s Kids Cafe Program, were also served food in the club levels of the stadium by left tackle Ickey Ekwonu, running back Trevor Etienne and offensive lineman Brady Christensen, among others.
“Honestly, it’s really cool to see it from the locker room,” Young said about the enthusiasm for the event. “From our perspective, it’s something we’re all really excited about. Obviously, they prep us for when it’s going to be before, and you see everyone excited for this. Again, it’s just a great opportunity for us to connect and give back. But, for us as players, it’s really cool. Obviously, we spend a lot of time at work, being in our routine, and to have a night like this, it’s cool — everyone looks forward to this. Sign-ups for this, they fill up right away.”
The holiday season has coincided with the Panthers’ most successful campaign under Tepper’s ownership.
The 7-6 start, with the playoffs well within reach, has Tepper optimistic about how the franchise is evolving under Morgan, Canales and Tilis.
“It’s not that shabby — to tell you the truth,” Tepper said. “Listen, it’s pretty good. It’s all a building process. And look, we’ll see where we go, you know, we’ll see what happens. But we do think ... Canales, Morgan, Tilis and everybody here in the organization — I think we’re building something special here in Carolina. And we’ve been building it outside in the community, we’re building it on the field, so it’s a total picture and hopefully, we can go on, and we have that for many years here, and that’s what we’re looking for.”
Injury updates: Full attendance at Panthers practice
Safety Lathan Ransom (thumb), the lone holdout from Monday’s practice, was seen working with teammates during the media portion of Wednesday’s walkthrough. Ransom had both hands wrapped during the practice.
Below is the Panthers’ full injury report for Wednesday (walkthrough participation is an estimation):
Full participation: C Cade Mays (ankle), DB Lathan Ransom (thumb), LB Christian Rozeboom (hip/hamstring)
Limited participation: LB Claudin Cherelus (concussion), CB Jaycee Horn (concussion)
