CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Running back Jonathan Stewart goes off right tackle for 4 yards. Quarterback Cam Newton passes to tight end Ed Dickson for 7 yards. Stewart goes up the middle for 4 yards. Stewart goes up the middle again for 3 yards. Newton passes to wide receiver Jason Avant for 8 yards. Newton passes to tight end Greg Olsen for 38 yards.

Five plays later, Stewart goes up the middle for a 1-yard touchdown.

The Carolina Panthers gave up nine sacks on Monday, but offensive coordinator Mike Shula believes the offense is close to figuring things out. AP Photo/Matt Rourke

The 11-play, 80-yard touchdown drive that pulled the Carolina Panthers within 10-7 of Philadelphia in the first quarter of Monday night's 45-21 loss to the Eagles is what offensive coordinator Mike Shula points to when asked why Newton has digressed in 2014.

"They're not big plays, but we're kind of moving the line of scrimmage a little bit," Shula said on Tuesday. "That's us. That's what we're about. That's what we've done when we're moving the ball.

"You take that drive and have three or four or five of those drives you've not asking me, ‘Why has Cam digressed or whatever?' "

But the Panthers (3-6-1) haven't had enough of those kinds of drives. They've had too many end with a turnover, which happened on their first two drives Monday, putting them in a 10-0 hole.

They've had too many that begin with negative plays. Two of Newton's career-high nine sacks came on first down. Two other drives began with a negative play -- one a 2-yard loss by running back DeAngelo Williams and another with a 10-yard face mask penalty against Stewart.

"I know I've said this before, it's not that far away," Shula said of the offense being consistent and successful. "The difference is not that big. It feels that way when you look at what happened last night."

He's right about the latter. It's been a season full of self-destruction, particularly during this eight-game stretch in which the Panthers have won once.

There appears to be more questions than answers. Coach Ron Rivera said the staff will spend the week leading into Sunday's game against Atlanta (3-6) trying to find the five best players on the offensive line. Guard Trai Turner and guard/tackle Chris Scott could figure into the mix.

There also will be more self-evaluation on the play-calling. Shula didn't hesitate when asked if the plays and protections gave Newton a chance to have success against Philadelphia.

"No," he said. "We had nine sacks. No. And when I say we, it is we, starting with me. We've got to continue to work to help our guys do everything better."

The sacks are not one player or group's fault. It's a mixture of missed assignments, Newton not getting the ball out quick enough or throwing it away, receivers not getting open quick enough and backs missing blocks.

"We're going to evaluate this week," Rivera said. "All positions. We're still in position [to win the NFC South]. Believe it or not, we have an opportunity.

"Things have to get going in the right direction."

They have to get going in a hurry. A loss to the Falcons would all but end Carolina's fading -- and perhaps misled -- hopes of catching the Saints (4-5).

"I know there is a sense of panic," Rivera said. "I'm not going to do that."

The reason? Moments like the 11-play, 80-yard touchdown drive against Philadelphia.

"At times we're on the cusp," Rivera said.