Rhule has mentioned “execution” a number of times after games, because as they go through this building process, he keeps reminding people that winning close games is not as simple as deciding to, or saying a set of magic words to make people have the confidence to close games. It’s being lined up correctly, playing the right assignment, and not committing penalties. There are simple, tangible things he’s looking for, even as the greater trend is moving in the wrong direction.

Rhule talked last week about how issues such as eight players going on the COVID-19 list (which made practices a bit of a grab bag all week) gave the Panthers a chance to give a statement on the team’s character Sunday. After the loss, he went back to the fact he didn’t think it was as much intangible as specific things he could see.