CHARLOTTE -- What the Carolina Panthers did last week was impressive, because the whole team played together, fought together and celebrated together. They even answered Steve Smith's text messages together, because he seemingly sent one to everybody on the roster while he watched.
What they're going to do moving forward rests largely on the shoulders of five guys mostly, because the Panthers are still very much a team in transition, looking for an identity.
That's where Jake Delhomme, Muhsin Muhammad, Julius Peppers, Jon Beason and John Kasay come in. The captains have a crucial role, because the team's so young and in flux, that the direction they get from inside the locker room's going to largely determine their path.
Gunning down one of the AFC's favorites was impressive, but what's in front of them is tougher.
Any team can hole up on the road, get lathered up, come out inspired, charge that hill and surprise somebody.
Winning at home's a more mature accomplishment, and one the Panthers under John Fox have always struggled wrapping their arms around.
The numbers are frankly phenomenal. They're 28-21 (.571) on the road under John Fox, 24-24 (.500) at home. The league average last year was .426 on the road and .574 at home.
The Panthers have no choice but accept the compliments for their road work, as they continue to struggle to solve Bank of America Stadium.
This year, the struggle's greater, because their margin's not what it used to be. There were times when the Panthers had more talent, and now they're relying on energy and enthusiasm. It's great to be able to fight out of a corner, but it might help if you didn't paint yourselves into one over and over.
The time's going to come when this team takes on water, and do it several weeks in a row.
Before the streak gets too big, those five captains are going to have to step in, make plays on the field, and round up the locker room.
The good news is the guys they picked were the right ones, because they blend both aspects of their responsibility.
Any player who's not inspired by Delhomme may not have a pulse. Anyone not awed by the way Peppers works and plays isn't watching.
But it goes deeper than that. Beason garnered more respect in a shorter time than any Panther since Sam Mills. Muhammad, for any issues he's had with past teammates or coaches or the media, is beloved and listened to. And Kasay, despite the natural societal chasm that comes with being a kicker, has more of a voice than many would imagine.
All you need to consider is the aftermath of the Smith-Ken Lucas fight to see his impact. There might not be two more different players on the team than Kasay and Smith, but it was Kasay that offered counsel, it's Kasay that Smith listens to on matters of faith, finances and football. That's because in the room, Kasay's viewed as a football player who happens to be a kicker.
The players picked the group, and they chose well.
So when the inevitable slump comes, it's going to be on those five.
It's tougher than it's been, because the team is full of the young, new and unknown.
When it comes, those five have to be even better off the field than on it.
And this week, since they're at home, there's no better time to start.
