CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Jake Delhomme couldn’t help but think about the 2004 Carolina Panthers as he watched the current version on Sunday in New Orleans.
The former Carolina quarterback had seen this script before: injuries, turnovers, penalties at the most inopportune time and giving up uncharacteristic big plays.
It’s not the exact same script, mind you. But the results are eerily similar.
In 2004, after losing to New England in Super Bowl XXXVIII, the Panthers started 1-7 en route to a 7-9 record. This year’s team is 1-5 heading into their bye weekend after losing to Denver in Super Bowl 50.