After starting 2-0, things were looking up for Carolina. A win at home against the Lions was reason to believe the Panthers were still legitimate after their surprising 2013 campaign.

But over the last two weeks, the Panthers have been outscored 75-29, losing their two contests to the Steelers and Ravens. Though the offense is getting crushed by injury - especially at the running back position - the fact that their strength, their defense, is performing so poorly is troublesome.

The worst part is that their upcoming schedule is beyond brutal. They'll host the Bears in Week 5, then face the Bengals, Packers, Seahawks, Saints, Eagles and Falcons. Any game is easy to lose in the NFL (did I mention the Steelers lost to the Buccaneers on Sunday?), but there's a very strong possibility that the Panthers only find a W in one or two of those contests. They've got a tough path to the playoffs.