Panthers
Panthers DE Brian Burns said he is saddened by the Panthersโ collapse after starting 3-0.
โItโs been frustrating,โ Burns said, via PFFโs Doug Kyed. โItโs really been disappointing because I feel like we have such a great team and just for the cards not to fall your way or you not to get the results that you want, of course itโs gonna be frustrating. But I feel like, as a defense โ because I canโt really speak for the offense โ but I feel like as a defense, I feel like weโre still trying to get better because we know there are brighter days ahead.โ
Rams
Rams WR Cooper Kupp has been having a transcendent season. Every opponent knows the Rams are going to throw him the ball a ton and almost no one has been able to stop him. With 132 receptions and 1,734 yards, heโs within range of breaking both NFL records, held by Saints WR Michael Thomas (149) and former Lions WR Calvin Johnson (1,946). Kuppโs taken a clear step forward this season, and while the arrival of QB Matthew Stafford has almost certainly helped, Kupp has also personally improved.
โIโm not sure I can put my finger on one specific thing,โ Kupp said via Sports Illustratedโs Albert Breer. โI look back at my rookie year, and itโs embarrassing watching the tape of what my rookie year was. And Iโd like to think that at the end of every year, as I watched the full season and tried to reflect on what the year was, what kind of things I saw from myself, Iโd just try to just improve the things that [were] most important to improve. And I just take that mentality year after year, try to get better and better and better. Never get comfortable being at whatever Iโm at. Never believing that Iโve arrived. So I have taken that mentality, but I donโt know if I can put my finger on one specific thing thatโs changed as much. Iโve been hanging out with some really good football players and having a few more opportunities to have the ball in my hands, and I think it really just comes down to those things.โ
- NFL Mediaโs Ian Rapoport reports Rams third-round LB Ernest Jones has a high-ankle sprain and is week-to-week.
- Rams RB Darrell Henderson is believed to have suffered a knee sprain. The team hopes itโs minor but will have an MRI on Monday to determine the severity. (Rapoport)
Seahawks
Seahawks HC Pete Carroll took the blame for the teamโs loss vs. Chicago.
โThat was about as disappointing of a loss as weโve had,โ Carroll said, via ESPNโs Brady Henderson. โWe were in control in so many ways in that game to go win it and put it away; we just never did and let them stay alive, and they found a way to make their plays. We had to do some stuff to give them that opportunity, and they took advantage of it, and give them credit. Theyโve been struggling all year too, and itโs a big win for those guys.
โI feel like I have to do more. In a time like this, I feel like Iโve got to find ways to help our guys more so that we donโt get in a situation where we even give them a chance.โ
Carroll added itโs his job to get the players to care this late in the season.
โIโm taking it the other way,โ Carroll said. โIโm taking it like I need to do better. Iโm not calling [out] the players for not responding. I have to respond better. Iโve got to do more for them and help them more so. Maybe thatโs a coachโs ego or whatever. But I donโt mind holding myself in that kind of accountability. Iโve just got to find a way. Iโm expecting our other coaches and the players to do the same thing. Everybody gives everything they have to give us every shot to be as good as we can possibly be. And it starts with me.โ
- Carroll said QB Russell Wilson โcanโt take a sack thereโ on the late third down in the red zone that led to a missed field goal. โIโve got to get that done. Iโve got to get him to execute that. Iโve got to get Russ to pull it offโฆYou sail it out of the end zone right there, kick the field goal.โ (Curtis Crabtree)
- Carroll mentioned he doesnโt know why Wilson is struggling: โThe answer isnโt that obvious and clear and we are just having to deal with it.โ (Bob Condotta)
- However, Carroll is convinced the team didnโt rush Wilson back: โHe was ready to go and we were going on what we know and I wouldnโt have changed that.โ (Condotta)
- Carroll believes Wilson will bounce back: โWeโve got to see how he bounces back. He will certainly be great again. Heโs going to be a great player. I donโt feel like it shows right now but I think thatโs whatโs going to happen because heโs got it in him to do that.โ (Henderson)
- Carroll doesnโt think there need to be drastic changes: โNot for one reason at all am I thinking that we have to restart this whole thing and create a new philosophy and a new approach. I think we have the essence of what we need.โ (Condotta)
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