In a twist of the unexpected, the Carolina Panthers’ journey back home after a disappointing preseason game against the New England Patriots took a precarious turn. Their troubles began with an unsatisfactory performance on the field, where their offense failed to make an impact, resulting in a 17-3 loss to the Patriots.
But the real drama unfolded off the field as their Delta Air Lines plane skidded off the taxiway upon landing at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in the wee hours of Friday morning. The rough landing came after days of rainy weather in the region, adding to the already gloomy mood of the team. Fortunately, despite the unexpected turn of events, everyone onboard emerged unscathed.
After the incident, all 188 passengers, including players, coaches, and staff, were safely transported to Wilson Air Center. The Panthers’ travel woes did not end there as their departure from Rhode Island’s T.F. Green International Airport was delayed by an hour. The flight finally touched down in Charlotte at 2:41 a.m. ET, leaving weary travelers relieved to be on solid ground.
As news of the mishap spread, Delta Air Lines released a statement, assuring that they were looking into the incident and prioritizing the safety of their passengers. The team, however, had little time to dwell on the chaotic journey as they had to refocus on their preseason preparations.
Despite the challenges faced on the field and off, the Panthers’ backups had a tough time making a case for themselves in the rainy conditions. Undrafted rookie quarterback Jack Plummer struggled to get the offense going, managing a mere 70 yards of total offense throughout the game. With a lackluster performance, he left much to be desired, finishing 11 of 21 for 86 yards and a QB rating of 62.8.
The Panthers’ offensive woes continued until Jake Luton took the reins in the final moments of the game, leading them to a late field goal. Luton, who was brought in as a backup after Andy Dalton’s injury, orchestrated a 13-play, 43-yard drive that culminated in a 41-yard field goal from undrafted rookie kicker Mevis. Despite the late surge, the Panthers’ inability to generate points earlier in the game highlighted the work that lay ahead for the team.
As they regrouped from the tumultuous journey and disappointing performance, the Panthers faced a critical juncture in their preseason campaign. The bumpy start to their return journey mirrored the challenges that lay ahead for the team as they strived to turn their fortunes around before the regular season kicks off.
