After an incredible 15-1 campaign in 2015, the Carolina Panthers have endured their most disappointing season in the Cam Newton era. After last night's defeat, the Panthers sport a 4-8 record and are unlikely to get back to the postseason.

Injuries, close losses, and a decline in performance defensively have stung this team throughout 2016, but the first play of last night was unlike anything we've seen.

Carolina received the opening kickoff in Seattle, but rather than seeing Newton heading to the huddle, Panthers fans watched Derek Anderson run onto the field. Sure enough, Anderson threw a pick on the first play, and Newton came in on the next series.

It set an ominous tone, although it might not have mattered anyway. The Panthers were crushed by a confident Seahawks team, 40-7.

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By halftime, it was revealed that Newton was forced to sit the play because he didn't wear a tie to the game, breaking the team's dress code rules. The response from the media and fans was mostly negative; why not fine Newton rather than let his absence on the field negatively impact the entire team? Also, if you want to make a statement, does sitting Newton for just one play accomplish that?

Despite all of the criticism, head coach Ron Rivera defended his decision during a press conference on Monday. From Lorenzo Reyes of USA TODAY Sports:

“I’m very comfortable with it,” Rivera said Monday afternoon during a press conference. “Because the truth of the matter is I have to treat everybody the same. I really do. And that’s all that was. There’s no underlying message. There’s no feud. Because I’ve done this before. It’s just unfortunate that the guys that I’ve done it before weren’t the quarterback.

“I think that’s why it’s such a big deal. I think that’s quite honestly why it’s being made bigger than it really is. Because all I did was treat a player like I treat any other player.”