What went right

Rookie quarterback Matt Moore had another decent game and the offense was respectable, which is about two notches above where it's been most of the year. Terrell Owens was on the field, but Steve Smith was the best receiver in the stadium.

What went wrong

Several calls by the officials, most notably a play to Drew Carter where no pass interference was called, went against the Panthers.

The defense had its moments, but couldn't shut down one of the league's best offenses. Moore didn't get the kind of pass protection he did the previous weekend and was sacked five times.

Status quo?

NFL Network analyst Cris Collinsworth caused a stir when he said Panthers owner Jerry Richardson told him coach John Fox and general manager Marty Hurney aren't going anywhere. That might be true, but Richardson can't be thrilled with a 6-9 season.

Even if Fox and Hurney are staying, this will be a busy offseason with the potential for other changes to the staff and a more aggressive approach to free agency than last year. It would be easy to think the Panthers can just get Jake Delhomme back on the field and everything will be fine. This year has shown the team has problems beyond quarterback.

Last hurrah?

In the locker room, it sure sounded like defensive end Mike Rucker had played his last game at Bank of America Stadium. It's no big surprise because Rucker is 32, in the last year of his contract and previously has said retirement is a possibility.

The reality of the situation was striking as Rucker fought back tears when he spoke to reporters. The Panthers gave safety Mike Minter a grand sendoff when he retired during training camp. Rucker, who has been just like Minter on and off the field, deserves a similar farewell.

Youth movement

The one positive trend to emerge the past few weeks is that Fox has worked a bunch of younger players into the lineup. In addition to Moore, rookie defensive end Charles Johnson got a bunch of playing time and rookie center Ryan Kalil got into the game after Justin Hartwig was injured.

Rookie Ryne Robinson looked better than he has all year on returns, and rookie receiver Dwayne Jarrett got some playing time. In another interesting development, second-year running back DeAngelo Williams got the bulk of the carries instead of DeShaun Foster. All those players generate hope for next year.

Looking ahead

With one game left, it's time to look to the offseason. The Panthers have more potential unrestricted free agents than usual.

Receivers Carter and Keary Colbert, safety Deke Cooper, linebacker Na'il Diggs, tackles Jordan Gross and Travelle Wharton, fullback Brad Hoover, defensive tackles Damione Lewis and Kindal Moorehead, Rucker, and cornerback Dante Wesley will become free agents if they're not re-signed before March.

Gross is the big name on that list, but the Panthers are likely to have some interest in keeping Carter, Hoover and Wharton at the right price.

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