Biggest takeaways from the Week 18 win

A few weeks ago, Canales got his signature home win on an overtime victory against the then-contending Arizona Cardinals. Now, he gets one on the road over the division rival Falcons, who were competing for the NFC’s final playoff opening.

Sure, Canales has had some growing pains in his first year as a head coach—particularly in play choices at times. But it’s undeniable to see how the players around him have responded, and that’s something this franchise has been waiting on for years.

Canales is laying down the foundation of an actual culture in Carolina. He’s also succeeding in his third quarterback reclamation—following the emergences of Geno Smith in Seattle and Baker Mayfield in Tampa Bay with Young’s.

Oh, and he helped the Panthers more than double their win total from a year ago—finishing out at 5-12.