The Carolina Panthers have started the season 1-4. They also started Week 5 among the betting favorites to finish the regular season with the worst record in the NFL (bet365).
The Panthers' management recently decided that enough was enough. Matt Rhule is out as the team's head coach. The verified Twitter account for the Carolina Panthers posted the news on Monday morning.
He will be replaced on an interim basis by defensive pass game coordinator/secondary coach Steve Wilks. The 53-year-old Wilks spent one year as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, and six years on the Panthers staff from 2012-17.
Panthers.com/Octoher 10th, 2022/Darin Gantt
Baker Mayfield has struggled as QB
There is a question as to whether Rhule had enough to work with. The Panthers acquired Baker Mayfield, who is "questionable" after Week 5, for their starting quarterback for 2022/23. So far this season, Mayfield has a 16.5 QBR, a 4-4 ratio of TDs to INTS, and a poor pass-completion percentage of just 54.9%.
There is some circularity in situations like these: did Mayfield pay badly or was it because of the coaching? The Panthers have made their choice on the matter. Mayfield wasn't popular in Cleveland but he did post better numbers for that franchise.
Win totals after Matt Rhule sacking
Win totals for the Panthers have been updated following their Week 5 loss. There are 12 games left in the regular season for the NFL team. The Panthers have a win total set at 5.5 with bet365 sportsbook. To go OVER that total, Carolina would need to go 5-7 for the balance of their games.
The interim coach, Steve Wilks, does not have a proven track record. He has limited experience as a head coach in the NFL, mainly serving as a positional coach or defensive coordinator. However, he was the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals in 2018. He went 3-13 that season, which was the worst record in the NFL. He was fired after just one season.
Carolina's next game is against the Los Angeles Rams on October 16th. At present, the Panthers are +10.0 underdogs with bet365 sportsbook.
