2018 Carolina Panthers season

Last updated

2018 Carolina Panthers season
Owner David Tepper
General manager Marty Hurney
Head coach Ron Rivera
Home field Bank of America Stadium
Results
Record7–9
Division place3rd NFC South
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro Bowlers MLB Luke Kuechly
G Trai Turner
DT Kawann Short
Team MVP Christian McCaffrey
Team ROY D. J. Moore
Uniform
Carolina panthers uniforms.png

The 2018 season was the Carolina Panthers' 24th in the National Football League (NFL) and their eighth under head coach Ron Rivera. It was the team's first season without former assistant head coach/defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, who became head coach of the Arizona Cardinals in the offseason and former offensive coordinator Mike Shula, who became the quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator of the New York Giants. [1]

Contents

The Panthers entered the season hoping to improve or match their 11–5 record from last year. After starting 6–2, the Panthers suffered a late-season collapse, going on a 7-game losing streak, failing to improve or match their previous season's record, and were eliminated from playoff contention following a loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 16. Although they went a dismal 1–7 in the second half of the season, the Panthers managed to end on a high note by defeating their division rival New Orleans Saints, 33–14.

Draft

2018 Carolina Panthers Draft
RoundSelectionPlayerPositionCollegeNotes
1 24 D. J. Moore WR Maryland
255 Donte Jackson CB LSU
385 Rashaan Gaulden CB Tennessee From Buffalo
4101 Ian Thomas TE Indiana From Green Bay
4136 Marquis Haynes DE Ole Miss
5161 Jermaine Carter LB Maryland
7234 Andre Smith LB North Carolina From L.A. Chargers via Buffalo
242 Kendrick Norton DT Miami

Draft trades

Staff

2018 Carolina Panthers staff

Front office

  • Owner – David Tepper
  • President – Tom Glick
  • General manager – Marty Hurney
  • Director of football operations – Bryan Porter
  • Assistant director of football operations – Mike Anderson
  • Director of team administration – Rob Rogers
  • Director of pro scouting – Matt Allen
  • Senior director of college scouting – Jeff Morrow
  • Regional director of college scouting – Mike Szabo
  • Regional director of college scouting – Eric Stokes
  • Senior advisor to the general manager – Mark Carrier
  • Executive assistant to the head coach – Linda O'Hora

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

Final roster

2018 Carolina Panthers final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists


Practice squad


Rookies in italics
53 active, 17 inactive, 9 practice squad

Preseason

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordGame siteNFL.com
recap
1August 9at Buffalo Bills W 28–231–0 New Era Field Recap
2August 17 Miami Dolphins W 27–202–0 Bank of America Stadium Recap
3August 24 New England Patriots W 25–143–0Bank of America Stadium Recap
4August 30at Pittsburgh Steelers L 24–393–1 Heinz Field Recap

Regular season

Schedule

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordGame siteNFL.com
recap
1 September 9 Dallas Cowboys W 16–81–0 Bank of America Stadium Recap
2 September 16at Atlanta Falcons L 24–311–1 Mercedes-Benz Stadium Recap
3 September 23 Cincinnati Bengals W 31–212–1Bank of America Stadium Recap
4 Bye
5 October 7 New York Giants W 33–313–1Bank of America Stadium Recap
6 October 14at Washington Redskins L 17–233–2 FedEx Field Recap
7 October 21at Philadelphia Eagles W 21–174–2 Lincoln Financial Field Recap
8 October 28 Baltimore Ravens W 36–215–2Bank of America Stadium Recap
9 November 4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 42–286–2Bank of America Stadium Recap
10 November 8at Pittsburgh Steelers L 21–526–3 Heinz Field Recap
11 November 18at Detroit Lions L 19–206–4 Ford Field Recap
12 November 25 Seattle Seahawks L 27–306–5Bank of America Stadium Recap
13 December 2at Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 17–246–6 Raymond James Stadium Recap
14 December 9at Cleveland Browns L 20–266–7 First Energy Stadium Recap
15 December 17 New Orleans Saints L 9–126–8Bank of America Stadium Recap
16 December 23 Atlanta Falcons L 10–246–9Bank of America Stadium Recap
17 December 30at New Orleans Saints W 33–147–9 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Dallas Cowboys

Week One: Dallas Cowboys at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Period1234Total
Cowboys00088
Panthers0100616

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

In the Panthers' home opener both teams were scoreless in the first quarter. In the second, Cam Newton rushed for a touchdown to score the game's first points. Graham Gano later kicked a field goal to further the Panthers' lead to 10–0. Both teams were again scoreless in the third quarter. Alexander Armah scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter, but the extra point attempt was no good when the ball slipped out of Michael Palardy's hands. The Cowboys later put points on the board with an Ezekiel Elliott touchdown run followed by a two-point conversion by quarterback Dak Prescott, decreasing the Panthers' lead to eight points. The Panthers managed to hold off the Cowboys by forcing a fumble off Prescott in the Cowboys' last offensive drive, winning 16–8.

Tight end Greg Olsen and offensive tackle Daryl Williams left the game early due to injuries.

Week 2: at Atlanta Falcons

Week Two: Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period1234Total
Panthers3701424
Falcons3147731

at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

Game information

The Falcons proved too much for the Panthers. With the 24–31 loss, the Panthers fell to 1–1.

Week 3: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Week Three: Cincinnati Bengals at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Period1234Total
Bengals777021
Panthers7147331

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

The Bengals were the first to score in the game but the Panthers answered back with a Cam Newton touchdown. Late in the first quarter Andy Dalton threw a pass intended for John Ross but it was intercepted by Donte Jackson. Early in the second Devin Funchess scored a touchdown with a Graham Gano field goal, and Carolina took the lead. Dalton was sacked by Efe Obada and fumbled the ball. Carolina recovered but the call was reversed and the Bengals soon tied the game at 14. Carolina took back the lead with a C. J. Anderson touchdown. In the third Dalton was picked off again, this time by Obada. Cincinnati soon followed a Newton TD with a touchdown of their own, moving to within seven. With less than four minutes to go, Jackson intercepted a Dalton pass intended for Ross. Gano then kicked a field goal making the score 31–21. Dalton's Hail Mary attempt, intended for Tyler Eifert, was picked off by Luke Kuechly. The Panthers won and improved to 2–1.

Week 5: vs. New York Giants

Week Five: New York Giants at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Period1234Total
Giants31031531
Panthers71301333

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

The Panthers came back after their bye week and took on the New York Giants at home. Carolina went into the third quarter with a 20–13 lead. New York scored a field goal in the third quarter, decreasing the Panthers' lead to four. In the fourth quarter, the Giants scored a touchdown with a two point conversion, followed by a Carolina field goal. With 1:15 to go in the game, the Giants scored on a Saquon Barkley touchdown catch, giving New York their first lead since the first quarter. The Panthers, down 31-30, only had a little more than a minute to try to win. They were able to get in field goal position. With six seconds to go, Graham Gano's 63 yard field goal was good. It was the longest successful field goal in franchise history and Gano became one of only six players to make a kick from 63 yards or longer. The Panthers won 33–31, improving to 3–1.

Week 6: at Washington Redskins

Week Six: Carolina Panthers at Washington Redskins – Game summary
Period1234Total
Panthers063817
Redskins1430623

at FedExField, Landover, Maryland

  • Date: October 14
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 52 °F (11 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 60,482
  • Referee: Clay Martin
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Charles Davis and Pam Oliver
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Things didn't start off well for the Panthers. Rookie D. J. Moore fumbled on a punt return and Washington recovered. This put the Redskins at a perfect spot to score and they did so. The Panthers had multiple turnovers in the first quarter, giving the Redskins a 14–0 lead by the end of one. The Panthers were able to catch up to the Redskins and had a chance to take the lead late in the fourth quarter. However, on fourth down and 5 at the Redskins 16, Cam Newton's pass for Jarius Wright fell incomplete. With the close loss of 17–23, the Panthers fell to 3–2.
This game saw the return of both Greg Olsen, who had been out with a foot injury since week one, and Thomas Davis, who was suspended for the first four games of the season.

Week 7: at Philadelphia Eagles

Week Seven: Carolina Panthers at Philadelphia Eagles – Game summary
Period1234Total
Panthers0002121
Eagles0107017

at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

  • Date: October 21
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 49 °F (9 °C), partly sunny
  • Game attendance: 69,696
  • Referee: Clete Blakeman
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Charles Davis and Pam Oliver
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

The Panthers were down 17-0 going into the fourth quarter with a seemingly lifeless offense. However, the team scored 21 points in the 4th quarter and beat the shell-shocked Eagles 21–17, improving to 4–2. They sealed the victory after preventing a 4th down conversion by the Eagles in the closing seconds of the 4th quarter. It was the largest 4th quarter comeback win in team history, and the largest comeback in franchise history. [2]

Week 8: vs. Baltimore Ravens

Week Eight: Baltimore Ravens at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Period1234Total
Ravens707721
Panthers7173936

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

Carolina and Baltimore went into the second quarter tied at seven. In the beginning of the second, Kyle Love tipped the ball out of QB Joe Flacco's hands, and the ball was recovered by Luke Kuechly. Greg Olsen scored a touchdown for the Panthers. Towards the end of the second, Cam Newton threw the ball into the end zone. Baltimore tipped it but Christian McCaffrey was able to catch it and score. With two seconds to go in the half, Graham Gano kicked a field goal, giving Carolina a 24–7 lead. In the third, Gano kicked another field goal. Alex Collins scored a touchdown for the Ravens making it a 27–14 Panthers lead. Newton scored a touchdown in the fourth but a two point conversion attempt was no good. Gano later made another field goal. The Panthers won 36–21 and improved to 5–2.

Week 9: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week Nine: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Period1234Total
Buccaneers0147728
Panthers14210742

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

The Panthers went into half time up 35–14. In the third quarter Tampa Bay scored a touchdown making the score 35–21. Carolina and Tampa Bay both scored a touchdown in the fourth. The Panthers won 42–28, and improved to 6–2.

Week 10: at Pittsburgh Steelers

Week Ten: Carolina Panthers at Pittsburgh Steelers – Game summary
Period1234Total
Panthers770721
Steelers211014752

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Date: November 8
  • Game time: 8:20 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 40 °F (4 °C), clear
  • Game attendance: 62,881
  • Referee: Walt Coleman
  • TV announcers (Fox/NFLN): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews, and Kristina Pink
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

In this Thursday night game, the Steelers were too much for the Panthers, as the Steelers' defense sacked Cam Newton five times and returned an interception for a touchdown, while their offense scored on seven of their eight drives under Ben Roethlisberger, who threw for five touchdowns and recorded a perfect passer rating, culminating in a 21–52 loss.

With the crushing loss, the Panthers' three game winning streak was snapped, and they fell to 6–3.

Cam Newton went 23 for 29, throwing for 193 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception, giving him a passer rating of 103 in spite of the Steelers bending over the Panthers.

Week 11: at Detroit Lions

Week Eleven: Carolina Panthers at Detroit Lions – Game summary
Period1234Total
Panthers7001219
Lions733720

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

  • Date: November 18
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 61,999
  • Referee: Clay Martin
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Ronde Barber and Jennifer Hale
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Carolina had a chance to win at the end of the game with a two-point conversion attempt. However, Newton's pass intended for Wright fell incomplete. With the loss, the Panthers fall to 6-4.

Week 12: vs. Seattle Seahawks

Week Twelve: Seattle Seahawks at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Period1234Total
Seahawks01071330
Panthers3107727

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

  • Date: November 25
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 57 °F (14 °C), partly cloudy
  • Game attendance: 74,002
  • Referee: Shawn Smith
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Burkhardt, Charles Davis and Pam Oliver
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

In a tight contest the Panthers were unable to put away the Seahawks, and lost 27–30. They fell to 6–5.

Week 13: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week Thirteen: Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Period1234Total
Panthers7010017
Buccaneers1077024

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

  • Date: December 2
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 81 °F (27 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 52,568
  • Referee: Carl Cheffers
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Ronde Barber and Sara Walsh
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

The Panthers, thanks in part to Newton's four interceptions, fell to 6-6. The day after the game, the Panthers announced defensive line coach Brady Hoke and assistant secondary/cornerbacks coach Jeff Imamura had been fired. Ron Rivera would also take over defensive play calling duties, although Washington would retain the title of defensive coordinator. [3]

Week 14: at Cleveland Browns

Week Fourteen: Carolina Panthers at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
Period1234Total
Panthers7103020
Browns7100926

at FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

Game information

With the loss, Carolina fell to 6-7.

Week 15: vs. New Orleans Saints

Week Fifteen: New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Period1234Total
Saints330612
Panthers70029

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

The Panthers came into Monday night facing the NFC South champion and playoff-bound Saints. Carolina's defense stifled Drew Brees and the Saints offense for most of the game, forcing three turnovers. Cornerback Donte Jackson had a pick-two on a two-point conversion attempt and fellow corner James Bradberry had an interception. However, the Panthers offense stalled on several drives, including their final one. With the loss, the team's record fell to 6-8.

Week 16: vs. Atlanta Falcons

Week Sixteen: Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Period1234Total
Falcons7314024
Panthers730010

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

  • Date: December 23
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 52 °F (11 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 73,722
  • Referee: Pete Morelli
  • TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, Mark Schlereth and Jennifer Hale
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

During the week, the Panthers decided to give backup QB Taylor Heinicke his first NFL start due to Newton's injured shoulder. [4] The Panthers lost 24-10, extending their losing streak to 7 games. Their record stood at 6-9.

Week 17: at New Orleans Saints

Week Seventeen: Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period1234Total
Panthers13107333
Saints0001414

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: 73,028
  • Referee: Bill Vinovich
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Ronde Barber and Kristina Pink
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

This was the Panthers' only game outside of the Eastern Time Zone during the 2018 season. Kyle Allen made his first start at QB due to injuries. Behind Allen, the Panthers won 33-14. With the win, the Panthers finished the season 7-9 and snapped their 7 game losing streak.

Standings

Division

NFC South
WLTPCTDIVCONFPFPASTK
(1) New Orleans Saints 1330.8134–29–3504353L1
Atlanta Falcons 790.4384–27–5414423W3
Carolina Panthers 790.4382–45–7376382W1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 5110.3132–44–8396464L4

Conference

NFC
#TeamDivisionWLTPCTDIVCONFSOSSOVSTK
Division leaders
1 [lower-alpha 1] New Orleans Saints South1330.8134–29–3.482.488L1
2 [lower-alpha 1] Los Angeles Rams West1330.8136–09–3.480.428W2
3 Chicago Bears North1240.7505–110–2.430.419W4
4 Dallas Cowboys East1060.6255–19–3.488.444W2
Wild Cards
5 Seattle Seahawks West1060.6253–38–4.484.400W2
6 Philadelphia Eagles East970.5634–26–6.518.486W3
Did not qualify for the postseason
7 Minnesota Vikings North871.5313–2–16–5–1.504.355L1
8 [lower-alpha 2] Atlanta Falcons South790.4384–27–5.482.348W3
9 [lower-alpha 2] Washington Redskins East790.4382–46–6.486.371L2
10 [lower-alpha 2] Carolina Panthers South790.4382–45–7.508.518W1
11 Green Bay Packers North691.4061–4–13–8–1.488.417L1
12 Detroit Lions North6100.3752–44–8.504.427W1
13 [lower-alpha 3] New York Giants East5110.3131–54–8.527.487L3
14 [lower-alpha 3] Tampa Bay Buccaneers South5110.3132–44–8.523.506L4
15 San Francisco 49ers West4120.2501–52–10.504.406L2
16 Arizona Cardinals West3130.1882–43–9.527.302L4
Tiebreakers [lower-alpha 4]
  1. 1 2 New Orleans finished ahead of LA Rams based on head-to-head victory.
  2. 1 2 3 Atlanta finished ahead of Washington based on head-to-head victory. Atlanta finished ahead of Carolina based on head-to-head sweep. Washington finished ahead of Carolina based on head-to-head victory.
  3. 1 2 NY Giants finished ahead of Tampa Bay based on head-to-head victory.
  4. ↑ When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest-ranked remaining team from each division.

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References

  1. ↑ "Cardinals choose Panthers DC Steve Wilks as new coach". January 22, 2018.
  2. ↑ "Panthers edge Eagles with historic comeback".
  3. ↑ "Panthers fire two defensive assistants after Bucs loss, Ron Rivera to handle play-calling duties".
  4. ↑ "Taylor Heinicke to start in place of Cam Newton versus Falcons".
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