Since taking over for the Carolina Panthers, Steve Wilks has always been worried about “winning the day.” And no matter what the result, that remains the concern.
Unfortunately for Wilks and the Panthers, Sunday’s result wasn’t a favorable one. Their 24-16 defeat at the heavy hands of the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers dropped them to 5-9 on the campaign—which, at the very least, puts their quest to an NFC South title on hold.
Regardless, Wilks stated he doesn’t want anyone looking too far ahead when asked of the team’s outlook at postseason play.
“I thought the focus was fine,” he replied. “The execution did not prevail. And still not worrying about it last week, not worrying about it now. We gotta worry about trying to get ourselves right to win a football game. I don’t want anybody in this building talking playoffs.”
The Panthers entered Week 15 just one game behind the division-leading Tampa Bay Buccaneers. If Tampa Bay loses to the Cincinnati Bengals this evening, Carolina will still have their destiny in their own hands. But if Tampa Bay wins, they’ll need some help down this final three-game stretch.
So, what is Wilks thinking to start this crucial run?
“Again, we gotta hit the reset button,” he said. “Don’t allow ‘it’ to get in the way. We’ve been down this road before. That was a setback against Cincinnati, we came back the next week and played a great game against Atlanta. So, we gotta find a way as coaches, and the men in the locker room, to make plays. And we gotta do a much better job putting them in position to make plays.”
They can start making those plays again on Saturday, when they welcome in the 7-7 Detroit Lions.
