It's official - Brisbane are enduring their NRL worst season after Penrith rolled on to claim a 25-12 NRL win at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night.
The Panthers have moved one step closer to the minor premiership after reeling in a shock early 6-0 deficit to become the first team since Cronulla in 2016 to win 12-straight games.
Already assured of a top-four finish, a Nathan Cleary-inspired Penrith provisionally moved five points clear of Melbourne on top of the ladder by extending their club record run with the four tries to two result.
They will secure only their third minor premiership if they win at least two their remaining three regular season games, starting with what looms as their biggest test in months - a clash with Parramatta on September 11.
Remarkably Penrith are on track to become the first team to finish the regular season with one loss or less since St George in 1959.
In contrast, Brisbane slumped to their 14th loss of 2020 - the most defeats the former glamour outfit have suffered in a home-and-away campaign.
Despite a spirited display, Brisbane fell to a record-equalling eighth straight defeat but the first time the six-time premiers have endured the losing streak during a regular season.
Brisbane are now looking over their shoulder as they try to avoid a first wooden spoon.
After their 14th loss in 15 games, Brisbane will drop to last if Canterbury can overcome 13th-placed Gold Coast on Saturday.
Brisbane sit one win ahead of the Bulldogs but are well behind on percentage after their fourth loss in a row at Suncorp Stadium for the first time since 2007.
Brisbane surprisingly dominated early, going ahead when Darius Boyd sent Kotoni Staggs (10th minute) over for his 10th try in 11 games.
But the Panthers finally came alive to grab a 14-6 half-time lead after halves Jarome Luai and Cleary set up tries for Josh Mansour (24th) and Kurt Capewell (37th).
Buoyed by the return of hooker Apisai Koroisau (calf) and destructive back-rower Viliame Kikau (suspension), Penrith weren't threatened again as Cleary found his groove.
Luai (57th) and Brian To'o (70th) crossed to ice the result.
Cleary set up two tries before capping a masterful display with a 76th-minute field goal.