The Panthers came into this game with the hope of winning their second straight game after a Week 8 win over the Falcons to even their 2021 record to 4-4.
The first half was not exactly what the Panthers hoped it would be. They were gifted with two turnovers that started drives on the Patriots’ side of the 50-yard line, and came away with just two field goals. To make matters worse, the defense gave up two touchdown drives to allow the Patriots to take a 14-6 lead into the half.
To make matters even worse than that, the Panthers lost two offensive linemen — Matt Paradis (ankle) and Cam Erving (calf) — in the first half to injury and had to rely on backups for the remainder of the first half.