2012 Carolina Panthers season

Last updated

2012 Carolina Panthers season
Owner Jerry Richardson
General manager Marty Hurney
Head coach Ron Rivera
Home stadium Bank of America Stadium
Results
Record7–9
Division place2nd NFC South
PlayoffsDid not qualify
Uniform
Carolina panthers uniforms.png

The 2012 season was the Carolina Panthers' 18th in the National Football League (NFL) and their second under head coach Ron Rivera. A day after the Panthers' loss to the Dallas Cowboys, general manager Marty Hurney was fired. [1] Until a new general manager was hired (that hire eventually being Dave Gettleman), director of football operations Brandon Beane served as interim general manager. [2] In a statistical rarity, the team lost the first 13 of their game-opening coin tosses, an event with a 1 in 8,192 probability. In the 13th game, the Panthers asked fans on Facebook to make the call, but the vote ended in a 50/50 tie. [3]

Contents

Logo change

On January 30, 2012, the Panthers unveiled an updated version of the team's logo, the team's first logo change since the Panthers entered the NFL in 1995. [4] The new logo would subsequently be added to the team's uniforms, around the stadium and on merchandise.

2012 draft class

The Panthers did not have a 3rd round selection. [a]

RoundSelectionPlayerPositionCollege
19 [b] Luke Kuechly LB Boston College
242 [c] Amini Silatolu G Midwestern State
4103 [d] Frank Alexander DE Oklahoma
104 Joe Adams WR Arkansas
5143 Josh Norman CB Coastal Carolina
6207 [e] Brad Nortman P Wisconsin
7216 D.J. Campbell S California
The Carolina Panthers on offense against the Denver Broncos in week 10 of the season Carolina Panthers.JPG
The Carolina Panthers on offense against the Denver Broncos in week 10 of the season
NOTES
^[a] The team traded its third-round selection to the Chicago Bears in exchange for TE Greg Olsen.
^[b] The Panthers finished with the same record and strength of schedule as the Miami Dolphins. This selection is the 9th, based on a coin toss at the NFL Scouting Combine won by Miami in March.
^[c] The Panthers finished with the same record and strength of schedule as the Miami Dolphins. This selection is the 40th, based on a coin toss at the NFL Scouting Combine in March won by the Miami Dolphins.
^[d] The team traded its sixth-round selection (#180) and their third-round selection in 2013 to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for their fourth-round selection (#103).
^{e } The Panthers received one compensatory pick for the 207 pick overall.

Season Summary

Looking to improve off of a 6–10 season from rookie coach Ron Rivera and quarterback Cam Newton, the Panthers got off to a tough start. The Panthers began the season with a dismal 2–8 record through their first 10 games. The Panthers played competitively throughout most games the entire season with an exception of a 36–7 loss to the defending Super Bowl Champion New York Giants where the Panthers fell to a 20–0 deficit early in the game and could not recover. Many would turn to a victory on November 26 in a prime time match up against the struggling Philadelphia Eagles as the turning point in the season for the Panthers. With that win on Monday Night Football, the Panthers would go on to win 5 of their remaining 6 games, rattling off 4 victories in a row to finish the season, with one victory coming against the NFC's #1 seed Atlanta Falcons, the first win in the series for the Panthers since the 2009 season.

Staff

2012 Carolina Panthers staff

Front office

  • Owner/founder – Jerry Richardson
  • President – Danny Morrison
  • General manager – Vacant
  • Director of football operations – Brandon Beane
  • Football operations manager – Bryan Porter
  • Football operations assistant – Matt Allen
  • Football operations assistant – Mike Anderson
  • Director of team administration – Rob Rogers
  • Director of pro scouting – Mark Koncz
  • Director of college scouting – Don Gregory
  • National scout – Jeff Morrow
  • National scout – Mike Szabo
  • Director of player development – Mark Carrier
  • Executive assistant to the Head Coach – Linda O'Hora

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

  • Special teams coordinator – Brian Murphy
  • Special teams assistant – Richard Rodgers

Strength and conditioning

  • Strength and conditioning – Joe Kenn
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Adam Feit

Final roster

2012 Carolina Panthers roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams (ST)

Practice squad

Reserve

Rookies in italics
52 active, 15 reserve, 8 practice squad

Schedule

Preseason

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueRecap
1August 11 Houston Texans L 13–260–1 Bank of America Stadium Recap
2August 17 Miami Dolphins W 23–171–1Bank of America Stadium Recap
3August 26at New York Jets W 17–122–1 MetLife Stadium Recap
4August 30at Pittsburgh Steelers L 16–172–2 Heinz Field Recap

Regular season

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueRecap
1September 9at Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 10–160–1 Raymond James Stadium Recap
2September 16 New Orleans Saints W 35–271–1 Bank of America Stadium Recap
3September 20 New York Giants L 7–361–2Bank of America Stadium Recap
4September 30at Atlanta Falcons L 28–301–3 Georgia Dome Recap
5October 7 Seattle Seahawks L 12–161–4Bank of America Stadium Recap
6 Bye
7October 21 Dallas Cowboys L 14–191–5Bank of America Stadium Recap
8October 28at Chicago Bears L 22–231–6 Soldier Field Recap
9November 4at Washington Redskins W 21–132–6 FedExField Recap
10November 11 Denver Broncos L 14–362–7Bank of America Stadium Recap
11November 18 Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 21–27 (OT)2–8Bank of America Stadium Recap
12November 26at Philadelphia Eagles W 30–223–8 Lincoln Financial Field Recap
13December 2at Kansas City Chiefs L 21–273–9 Arrowhead Stadium Recap
14December 9 Atlanta Falcons W 30–204–9Bank of America Stadium Recap
15December 16at San Diego Chargers W 31–75–9 Qualcomm Stadium Recap
16December 23 Oakland Raiders W 17–66–9Bank of America Stadium Recap
17December 30at New Orleans Saints W 44–387–9 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week One: Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Panthers007310
Buccaneers1030316

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

  • Date: September 9
  • Game time: 4:25 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 83 °F (28 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 51,533
  • Referee: Jerry Hughes
  • TV announcers (Fox): Ron Pitts, Mike Martz and Kristina Pink
Game information

The Panthers started the season at 0–1 picking up their 4th straight regular season opening loss. Also, the team dropped to 0–11 in games where starting QB Cam Newton turns the ball over as he was picked off twice.

Week 2: vs. New Orleans Saints

Week Two: New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Saints10301427
Panthers7147735

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

  • Date: September 16
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 73 °F (23 °C), (Cloudy)
  • Game attendance: 72,879
  • Referee: Gerald Wright
  • TV announcers (Fox): Ron Pitts, Mike Martz and Kristina Pink
Game information

With the win, the Panthers improved to 1–1, snapping their 4-game losing streak against the Saints. Also, the team improved to 1–11 in games where Newton has at least 1 turnover.

Week 3: vs. New York Giants

Week Three: New York Giants at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Giants101061036
Panthers00707

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

With the huge loss on Thursday Night Football, the Panthers fell to 1–2. The team also dropped to 1–12 in games where Cam Newton has at least 1 turnover.

Week 4: at Atlanta Falcons

Week Four: Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Panthers777728
Falcons7107630

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

Game information

With their 5th straight loss to the Falcons, the Panthers fell to 1–3. Also, for the first time the team lost a game after Newton did not record a turnover.

Week 5: vs. Seattle Seahawks

Week Five: Seattle Seahawks at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Seahawks337316
Panthers037212

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

  • Date: October 7
  • Game time: 4:05 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 55 °F (13 °C), (Cloudy)
  • Game attendance: 72,676
  • Referee: Terry McAulay
  • TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Tim Ryan and Kristina Pink
Game information

With the loss, the Panthers head into their bye week at 1–4. Also, the team dropped to 1–13 in games where Newton has a least a turnover.

Week 7: vs. Dallas Cowboys

Week Seven: Dallas Cowboys at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Cowboys0310619
Panthers070714

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

With the loss, the Panthers fell to 1–5 and also to 1–14 in games when Newton records a turnover.

Week 8: at Chicago Bears

Week Eight: Carolina Panthers at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Panthers3106322
Bears7001623

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

  • Date: October 28
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT/12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: 49 °F (9 °C), cloudy – wind gusts to 25mph
  • Game attendance: 62,254
  • Referee: Ed Hochuli
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and Tony Siragusa
Game information

With the surprising loss, the Panthers dropped to 1–6. Also, the team moves to 1–15 in games where Newton has a turnover.

Week 9: at Washington Redskins

Week Nine: Carolina Panthers at Washington Redskins – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Panthers770721
Redskins303713

at FedExField, Landover, Maryland

  • Date: November 4
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 50 °F (10 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 79,767
  • Referee: Carl Cheffers
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and Tony Siragusa
Game information

With the win, the Panthers improved to 2–6. The team also improves to 7–1 in games where Newton does not turn the ball over. Because this was the Redskins' last home game before the 2012 election, the Redskins Rule incorrectly predicted that Mitt Romney would win the election, or Barack Obama would win the election while losing the popular vote.

Week 10: vs. Denver Broncos

Week Ten: Denver Broncos at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Broncos71071236
Panthers700714

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

With the loss, the Panthers fell to 2–7. The team also drops to 1–16 in games where Newton has a turnover.

Week 11: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week Eleven: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Quarter1234OTTotal
Buccaneers100011627
Panthers7707021

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

  • Date: November 18
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 55 °F (13 °C), (Cloudy)
  • Game attendance: 72,603
  • Referee: Bill Leavy
  • TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Tim Ryan and Jaime Maggio
Game information

With the loss, the Panthers fell to 2–8. Also, QB Cam Newton suffered being swept by all 3 division rival teams as the team dropped to 7–2 in games where he does not have a turnover.

Week 12: at Philadelphia Eagles

Week Twelve: Carolina Panthers at Philadelphia Eagles – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Panthers1407930
Eagles3127022

at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

  • Date: November 26
  • Game time: 8:30 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 36 °F (2 °C), clear
  • Game attendance: 69,144
  • Referee: Pete Morelli
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden and Lisa Salters
Game information

With the win the Panthers improved to 3–8 and also 8–2 in games where Newton does not have a turnover.

Week 13: at Kansas City Chiefs

Week Thirteen: Carolina Panthers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Panthers770721
Chiefs1077327

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

  • Date: December 2
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 61 °F (16 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 62,860
  • Referee: John Parry
  • TV announcers (Fox): Ron Pitts, Mike Martz and Kristina Pink
Game information

With the loss, the Panthers dropped to 3–9 securing them their 3rd straight losing season. They also dropped in records to 0–2 against the AFC West and 8–3 when Newton does not turn the ball over.

Week 14: vs. Atlanta Falcons

Week Fourteen: Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Falcons0071320
Panthers797730

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

  • Date: December 9
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 63 °F (17 °C), (Cloudy)
  • Game attendance: 73,292
  • Referee: Ed Hochuli
  • TV announcers (Fox): Gus Johnson, Charles Davis and Kristina Pink
Game information

With the upset win, the Panthers improved to 4–9 and snapped their 5-game losing streak to the Falcons. Also, the team improved to 9–3 in games where Newton does not have a turnover.

Week 15: at San Diego Chargers

Week Fifteen: Carolina Panthers at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Panthers2137031
Chargers00077

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

  • Date: December 16
  • Game time: 4:05 p.m. EST/1:05 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: 59 °F (15 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 53,832
  • Referee: Terry McAulay
  • TV announcers (Fox): Sam Rosen, Heath Evans and Jill Savage
Game information

With the win, the Panthers improved to 5–9 and 10–3 when Newton does not have a turnover. It also leaves the Panthers 1–2 against the AFC West.

Week 16: vs. Oakland Raiders

Week Sixteen: Oakland Raiders at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Raiders03036
Panthers770317

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

With the win, the Panthers improved to 6–9 and 2–16 when Newton turns the ball over at least once. Also, the team finished the season 2–2 against the AFC West.

Week 17: at New Orleans Saints

Week Seventeen: Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Panthers310141744
Saints01771438

at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

  • Date: December 30
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 73,124
  • Referee: Alberto Riveron
  • TV announcers (Fox): Ron Pitts, Mike Martz and Krista Voda
Game information

With the win the Panthers finished 7–9, good enough for 2nd place in the NFC South, and swept the Saints for the first time since 2008. Also, the team improved to 3–16 in games when Newton had a turnover. Also, Newton was one touchdown shy of being a 4th QB to have at least 20 passing touchdowns in his first 2 seasons as his total record of passing touchdowns stood at 19 while his rushing touchdowns stood at 8 leaving him with a failed improvement finishing with 27 total touchdowns.

Standings

NFC South
WLTPCTDIVCONFPFPASTK
(1) Atlanta Falcons 1330.8133–39–3419299L1
Carolina Panthers 790.4383–35–7357363W4
New Orleans Saints 790.4383–35–7461454L1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 790.4383–34–8389394W1

References

  1. Reed, Steve (October 22, 2012). "Panthers GM Hurney fired after team's 1–5 start". Yahoo! Sports . Associated Press. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved October 22, 2012.
  2. "Bears defeat Lions to maintain NFC North lead". Newsday . Retrieved October 23, 2012. Brandon Beane, the team's director of football operations, will handle day-to-day football matters until a new GM is hired, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press.d
  3. "Carolina Panthers ask fans to help decide disastrous coin toss call". Metro . December 4, 2012. Retrieved December 9, 2012.
  4. "Panthers introduce refined logo". Archived from the original on January 31, 2016. Retrieved January 30, 2012.