Rhule not ready to throw in towel on Bridgewater

Updated Dec. 14, 2020 3:47 p.m. ET

Associated Press

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Matt Rhule isn’t giving up on Teddy Bridgewater just yet.

The Panthers' first-year coach still believes Bridgewater can be the quarterback who helps set the foundation for a winning franchise, even though he is 3-9 in 2020 as a starter.

That’s why Bridgewater will remain the starter for the rest of the season — and possibly the foreseeable future.

Bridgewater came under more scrutiny Sunday after the Panthers

“There are always going to be lightning rod topics, I get it,” Rhule said. “But I hate putting games like this on one guy, because we could have gotten run out of the building like we did (earlier this season) against Tampa Bay."

It's easy to overlook that Bridgewater led the Panthers

Still, Bridgewater did what he has done all season — he gave his team a chance.

Now he just has to finish.

Rhule is confident that will eventually happen.

“As we all know Teddy is going to be measured by the end of game, take it down there and go win. It hasn't worked out here, but a lot of other things have," Rhule said. "So I'm of the mindset that we have to build around him and build with him and go win this game (Saturday night) against Green Bay."

The bottom line is very few expected the Panthers would win more than four games this season or be as competitive as they have been.

But Bridgewater has kept them close. The next hurdle is winning.

WHAT'S WORKING

Wide receiver Robby Anderson had

WHAT NEEDS HELP

Carolina's pass defense allowed Drew Lock to throw for 280 yards and four touchdowns (with no interceptions). With the front four struggling to get pressure on its own, defensive coordinator Phil Snow is having to gamble more with blitzes to cause some disruption. That has resulted in a league-high 13 fumble recoveries for Carolina, but at times has left the team's cornerbacks exposed. Ultimately the Panthers need to find some defensive linemen who can pressure the quarterback other than just Brian Burns.

STOCK UP

Rookie linebacker/safety Jeremy Chinn continues to have an incredible season. He leads all NFL rookies in tackles and had eight tackles, including

STOCK DOWN

Panthers veteran cornerback Rasul Douglas

INJURED

Rhule said it's too early in the week to know if McCaffrey or Moore will play Saturday night at Green Bay.

KEY NUMBER

0 — Number of playoff games the Panthers have won since reaching Super Bowl 50 in the 2015 season.

NEXT STEPS

Rhule said he will continue to play his starters the rest of the way, saying that he thinks using the final three games “as a tryout” would send the wrong message to his players.

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