The Panthers coach was outclassed by a terrible team in a must-win game.

Panthers HC Dave Canales admitted he was "emotionally involved" in the outcome of Sunday's matchup between the Bucs and Saints.

"We have seen the Rams best football, and they've been playing amazing," Canales said. "And I said, ‘No one seen our best yet.'" Until now.

The Panthers might've reached the peak of their current rebuild.

A week ago, Dave Canales wasn’t pacing a sideline or dialing up plays. Instead he sat on his couch, remote in hand. But the Panthers head coach was very much invested in the outcome of the game in front of him.

If Dave Canales coached a team in a more high-profile market, he’d receive more national attention for the job he’s doing with the Carolina Panthers

The Panthers had a full roster at practice on Wednesday following Tuesday's "Joy to the Carolinas". The Observer was at both to gather info.

Panthers head coach Dave Canales hit his team with an iconic line before the Rams game. It worked, as Carolina pulled off the upset.

The Panthers still can win the NFC South, but the path to do that is much more difficult than if they'd beaten the Saints.

For the second week in a row, the New Orleans Saints (4-10) plunged the NFC South race into absolute chaos. One week ago, New Orleans beat Tampa Bay (7-7) 24-20. Another Bucs loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday put the Carolina Panthers (7-7) in the driver's seat in the division.