CHARLOTTE – Carolina had a tough loss to flush out of its system this week, after dropping a thriller in overtime to Atlanta in Week 8.
Interim coach Steve Wilks said he saw the Panthers move forward the way he'd hoped, and now they're onto a second straight road contest.
Carolina heads to Cincinnati (4-4) for a 1 p.m. kickoff at Paycor Stadium this Sunday, facing the defending AFC champions after their blowout loss to division rival Cleveland on Monday Night Football.
Here are five things to watch in Week 9:
RUSHING JOE BURROW
The trade deadline passed, and Brian Burns is still a Panther.
That's good news for Carolina's pass rush against poor offensive line play for Cincinnati, as quarterback Joe Burrow has been sacked 29 times and hit 55 times this season, both second-most in the NFL.
The Panthers are tied for 30th in the league with 12.0 sacks. Burns paces the team by a wide margin with 5.0 sacks. Damien Wilson, who has 2.0 sacks this year, is the only Panther with more than one sack. Burns also leads the Panthers with eight tackles for loss and nine quarterback hits.
Though Burrow has dealt with a lot of pressure from opposing defenses, he has found a way to perform at times. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Burrow leads the league with seven pass touchdowns when under pressure in 2022.
The Panthers are 14th in quarterback pressure percentage (28.3) this season.
Cincinnati is looking for a bounce-back week of its own offensively, totaling 229 total yards last week against Cleveland, the fewest in a game with Burrow since Week 5 of his rookie season against Baltimore. The Bengals will be without star wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, like they were against Cleveland, while he recovers from a hip injury.
PJ WALKER'S FOURTH CONSECUTIVE START
PJ Walker threw what was potentially the pass of the season when he connected with DJ Moore for a 62-yard touchdown just before the end of regulation, receiving praise from Patrick Mahomes on Twitter.
Wilks will go with Walker again in Cincinnati for his fourth straight start this year, and a healthy Baker Mayfield is ready in a backup role.
Walker has steadily improved since his first start against the Rams, when Carolina opted to play more conservatively and Walker made just 16 attempts.
He put up a career-high 317 pass yards on 19-of-36 passing against Atlanta, continuing a steady build-up that teammates and coaches have grown to trust.
"I think anything in life is all about time," Wilks said. "We've seen over the last couple of weeks that with him putting the time in, with us as coaches giving him the opportunity to be able to perform with the game plan, he's shown that he can handle certain things."
THE FOREMAN SHOW
With running back Chuba Hubbard (ankle) out for a second straight week, the Panthers are set to deploy D'Onta Foreman with another potentially heavy workload.
Foreman has performed well in his past two outings, totaling 118 rush yards in consecutive games. He had a career-high three rushing touchdowns in Atlanta.
Foreman will look to become only the second Carolina player in franchise history to have 115 rush yards or more in three consecutive games. In 2003, Stephen Davis tallied three-straight games with 115 rush yards or more in Weeks 2-5.
The matchup between Carolina's rush offense and the Bengals' rush defense is relatively even, as the Panthers' run game ranks 19th in the league, and Cincinnati's run defense is 21st.
ANOTHER CHANCE FOR PIÑEIRO
Kicker Eddy Piñeiro shouldered the blame for the Panthers' heartbreak in Atlanta after a missed extra point sent the game into overtime and a missed field goal led to an eventual Falcons win.
The Panthers stuck with Piñeiro, who came in after original kicker Zane Gonzalez suffered a season-ending groin injury in the preseason.
Wilks said Piñeiro had a good week in practice and that the Panthers worked on a two-minute situation that ended in a field goal attempt, which Piñeiro made.
"I'm more encouraging, but also understand that we get paid to do a job as well," Wilks said after Wednesday's practice. "I thought (Piñeiro) had some good kicks today. We pretty much had our day-to-day operation where we worked on PATs and field goals. He did a good job. I was pleased to see how he bounced back today."
MAKING PLANS AT SAFETY
With safeties Jeremy Chinn (hamstring) remaining on injured reserve and Juston Burris (concussion) ruled out for the Bengals game, Wilks said the Panthers are set to lean on starter Xavier Woods and defensive back Myles Hartsfield in Cincinnati.
Sean Chandler, who primarily plays a role on special teams, will be the option behind Woods and Hartsfield, Wilks said.
Interim defensive coordinator Al Holcomb mentioned Hartsfield when asked about players who deserve more recognition Thursday. Wilks commended Hartsfield's consistency and versatility.
"We trust him," Wilks said. "He does a great job when he's in there communicating with the other guys. You can put him at various positions, and you feel like he can get the job done. He's smart and can cover in the slot, can cover the tight end. He's a jack of all trades."
The Panthers are 3-2-1 all-time against the Bengals. Carolina is 3-1 at home and 0-1-1 on the road at Cincinnati. The Bengals are the only team that the Panthers have ever tied in franchise history.
Carolina Panthers running back DeShaun Foster (26) is tackled by Cincinnati Bengals defenders Madieu Williams (40) and Tory James (20) after a short gain in their NFL football game in Cincinnati, Ohio Sunday, Oct. 22, 2006. Cincinnati won 17-14. (AP Photo/Tom Uhlman)
Carolina Panthers strong safety Roman Harper (41) intercepts a pass against the Cincinnati Bengals in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Carolina Panthers tight end Kris Mangum (86) lunges for a touchdown over Cincinnati Bengals defenders Madieu Williams (40) and Landon Johnson (59) in the first quarter of their NFL football game in Cincinnati, Ohio, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2006. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)
in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin (13) catches a pass in the end zone as Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Adam Jones (24) defends in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014, in Cincinnati. The touchdown was nullified on a offensive pass interference call against Banjamin. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton runs against the Cincinnati Bengals in overtime of an NFL football game in Cincinnati Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014. Charlotte tied Cincinnati 37-37. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) runs past his team's bench as he carries a punt return 61 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 8, 2002. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) runs against the Cincinnati Bengals in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) celebrates his 12-yard touchdown run in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Cincinnati Bengals outside linebacker Vontaze Burfict (55) helps Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) up in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Carolina Panthers running back Fozzy Whittaker scores on a four yard run in the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) passes under pressure from Carolina Panthers defenders during a NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Cincinnati Bengals' Jermaine Gresham (84), center, catches a pass among Carolina Panthers' players Marcus Hudson (25), Sherrod Martin (23), and Captain Munnerlyn (41) in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 26, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) throws against the Cincinnati Bengals in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin (13) is hit by Cincinnati Bengals strong safety George Iloka (43) after catching a touchdown pass in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Carolina Panthers running back Fozzy Whittaker scores on a four yard run in the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Cincinnati Bengals safety Kevin Kaesviharn (34) intercepts a pass in front of Carolina Panthers receiver Keyshawn Johnson (19) in the end zone to seal the Bengals 17-14 win in the fourth quarter of their NFL football game in Cincinnati, Ohio, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2006. (AP Photo/Tom Uhlman)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme (17) celebrates with running back Nick Goings (37) after they combined on a touchdown pass in the second quarter of their NFL football game in Cincinnati, Ohio, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2006. (AP Photo/Tom Uhlman)
Carolina Panthers' Charles Godfrey (30) returns an interception against the Cincinnati Bengals in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Cincinnati Bengals' Carson Palmer (9) throws a pass in the second half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 26, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Carolina Panthers' Jimmy Clausen (2) throws a pass in the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 26, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Cincinnati Bengals' Cedric Benson (32) runs against the Carolina Panthers in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' Mike Goodson (33) runs against the Cincinnati Bengals in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' Jonathan Stewart (28) runs against the Cincinnati Bengals in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Cincinnati Bengals' Leon Hall (29) intercepts a pass intended for Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Rodney Peete (9) prepares to throw a pass in the second quarter of the Panthers' 52-31 win over the Cincinnati Bengals at Ericsson Stadium, in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Dec. 8, 2002. Peete went 21-for-29 for a season high 319 yards, four yards short of his career high, and three touchdowns. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme (17) passes against Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Justin Smith (90) in the first half of their NFL football game in Cincinnati, Ohio, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2006. (AP Photo/Tom Uhlman)
Cincinnati Bengals running back Rudi Johnson (32) is tackled by Carolina Panthers defenders Chris Gamble, left, and Kindal Moorehead, right, during their NFL football game in Cincinnati, Ohio, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2006. Johnson ran for 101 yards in the Bengals 17-14 win. (AP Photo/Tom Uhlman)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer is hit by Carolina Panthers defensive end Michael Rucker in the first quarter of their NFL football game in Cincinnati, Ohio, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2006. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)
Carolina Panthers' Al Wallace (96) celebrates with teammate Terry Cousin after Wallace recovered a Cincinnati Bengals' fumble in the end zone for a touchdown during the first quarter at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 8, 2002. (AP Photo/Rusty Burroughs)
