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On the 10 plays when the Falcons blitzed Thursday night, Teddy Bridgewater went 5-for-7 for 38 yards and was sacked twice. He averaged 2.67 yards per pass play. On the season, though, Bridgewater has a success rate of 51.2 percent against the blitz, which is just above league average.

Three consecutive losses has them reeling a bit. But isn't that the team we expected to see?

Few name players on this defense, but keep an eye on S Jeremy Chinn -- just crowned league's defensive rookie of the month for October.

Reason for optimism: Defensive coordinator Phil Snow

The first-year NFL defensive coordinator has dealt with losing his Pro Bowl tackle and his starting end, safety and cornerback. Snow started six rookies in Thursday's game against Atlanta. And yet the defense has played well enough to give the Panthers a chance to win almost every week. The credit goes to Snow, whose ability to adjust and use of multiple formations in a bend-but-not-break attack has made the Panthers more competitive than many expected through the first eight games. He has by far made a bigger impact than offensive coordinator Joe Brady, who came in as the hot coaching candidate. -- David Newton

The feel-good vibes of the Panthers' three-game winning streak are history, replaced by the frustration of a three-game skid. Teddy Bridgewater seemed well set up for a prime-time breakout performance, replete with a charming postgame interview with Colleen Wolfe. Instead, the quarterback looked uncomfortable in the face of a blitz-drunk Falcons defense and dealt with physical issues after an illegal hit left him with a sore neck in the second half. Bridgewater has been a nice story this season, as have Matt Rhule's Panthers as a whole, but it's time for Christian McCaffrey to return and reclaim the starring role of this offense.