“AT LEAST OUR PUNTER CAN TACKLE”: CHARLOTTE RESTAURANT ROASTS PANTHERS AFTER BRUTAL PATRIOTS LOSS

CHARLOTTE, NC — There’s a unique way the city of Charlotte processes the ups and downs of being a Panthers fan—often with a dose of humor and a lot of honesty. And no place captures that rollercoaster better than the marquee outside Dilworth Neighborhood Grille, a local favorite that’s become something of a scoreboard for fan emotions.

Each Monday, the Grille updates its sign to reflect how Panthers Nation is feeling. Sometimes it’s hopeful, sometimes it’s sarcastic—but it always hits a nerve.

This week’s message? Brutal, but not inaccurate:

“At least our punter can tackle.”

That one stings, especially after Carolina’s rough 42-13 outing against the Patriots on Sunday—a game where very little went right. But the sign isn’t just a jab; it’s a sly nod to one of the few silver linings in an otherwise forgettable performance. Late in the game, punter Sam Martin delivered a textbook, touchdown-saving tackle on a New England return—the sort of gritty, last-ditch effort that fans remember, even when the scoreboard doesn’t go their way.

Martin earning highlight status isn’t exactly what a team wants to hang its hat on. But when your punter is doubling as the team’s most effective tackler on special teams, you’re probably looking at some deeper issues.

Just a week ago, the vibes outside Dilworth were wildly different. After a dominant win over the Falcons, the September 22 sign read: “That game felt like 2015, thanks.” That hit Panthers fans right in the nostalgia, recalling the 15-1 regular season and Super Bowl run.

Fast forward seven days and you’ve got a punter making touchdown-saving plays and a city clinging to dark humor to get through Monday. That’s the Panthers experience, though—high highs, low lows, and a fan base tough enough to take it on the chin while still showing up next week.