For the third time in franchise history, the Panthers have the worst record in the NFL.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — After two promising games during a dismal season, the Carolina Panthers were slapped back to reality with a crushing shutout loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Panthers (2-14) could only produce punts and turnovers while being outmatched by backup quarterback C.J. Beathard and the Jaguars (9-7) stout defense en route to a 26-0 loss, the team's first shutout loss since Week 7 of 2002. Jacksonville started Beathard in place for the injured Trevor Lawrence as the Jaguars further push for the AFC South title.
Bryce Young was unable to put up another heroic performance as he struggled to find meaningful yardage all day. The rookie quarterback had just 112 yards passing. The Panthers' running game couldn't find footing either, with Chuba Hubbard leading the team with just 45 yards rushing.
Jacksonville scored three field goals in the first half to go up 9-0, meanwhile, the Panthers had three drives of zero yards or less in the same time frame.
Young was sacked in the first quarter and was briefly taken out of the game with a back injury. It was one of six sacks the Panthers allowed on Sunday as Young remains the NFL's second-most sacked quarterback, only behind Washington's Sam Howell.
The Panthers' defense prevented Jacksonville from reaching the end zone until the Jaguars' second play of the second half when Travis Etienne ran 62 yards for a score to go up 16-0.
After Jacksonville added another Brandon McManus field goal, the Panthers' next two drives ended after failed fourth down attempts.
Etienne added another touchdown late to further add to Carolina's woes. Young threw an interception on the Panthers' final drive to seal the shutout.
Beathard had 178 yards passing in the Jacksonville win. Etienne led the team on the ground with 102 yards rushing and two touchdowns.
Johnny Hekker was Carolina's busiest man on the scoresheet. Hekker had six punts averaging 49.5 yards in the tough loss.
The Panthers' loss, coupled with the Arizona Cardinals' upset win over the Philadelphia Eagles, assures the Panthers will have the worst record in the league this season. Carolina traded its first pick in next year's draft to the Chicago Bears to acquire Young this year.
Carolina's season ends next week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
