CHARLOTTE — It's no secret the Panthers want to be a run-first team. It's part of the reason they built the offensive line they did, extended Chuba Hubbard , and added Rico Dowdle in the offseason, giving them two 1,000-plus yard rushers.

It's also no secret that getting into early deficits the first two weeks of the season—including a 20-3 hole at half in Week 1, and a 10-0 deficit after the first two drives against the Cardinals, leading to a 27-3 hole in the third quarter—have taken away that option.

"I really think it's about how many possessions you have and what the score is, and that always starts to make decisions for the mode that we need to be in offensively," pointed out Dave Canales on Monday, following the Panthers' loss to the Cardinals that left them 0-2. "For the last

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