2020 Carolina Panthers season

Last updated

2020 Carolina Panthers season
Owner David Tepper
General manager Marty Hurney (fired Dec. 21)
Head coach Matt Rhule
Home stadium Bank of America Stadium
Results
Record5–11
Division place3rd NFC South
PlayoffsDid not qualify
Pro Bowlers None
Uniform
Carolina panthers uniforms.png

The 2020 season was the Carolina Panthers' 26th in the National Football League (NFL) and their first under head coach Matt Rhule. The offseason saw several notable departures; quarterback Cam Newton was released after the Panthers were unable to find a team willing to trade for him, while linebacker Luke Kuechly announced his retirement on January 14, 2020. On December 21, 2020 the Panthers parted ways with general manager Marty Hurney after a total of 19 seasons with the organization.

Contents

With a loss to the Vikings in week 12, the Panthers secured their third consecutive non-winning season. After losing their first two games and winning the next three, the Panthers suffered a five-game losing streak before beating the Lions in week 11 and losing to the Vikings before their bye week. After their week 15 loss to the Packers, Carolina was eliminated from the playoffs for the third consecutive season. With the loss to the Saints in week 17, the Panthers matched their 5–11 record from the previous season.

Draft

2020 Carolina Panthers Draft
RoundSelectionPlayerPositionCollegeNotes
1 7 Derrick Brown DT Auburn
238 Yetur Gross-Matos DE Penn State
64 Jeremy Chinn S Southern Illinois from Seattle
4113 Troy Pride CB Notre Dame
5152 Kenny Robinson S West Virginia from Washington
6184 Bravvion Roy DT Baylor
7221 Stantley Thomas-Oliver CB Florida International

Draft trades

2020 Carolina Panthers undrafted free agents
NamePositionCollegeRef.
Myles Adams DE Rice [1]
Omar Bayless WR Arkansas State
Branden Bowen OT Ohio State
Jason Ferris LB Montana Western
Sam Franklin Temple
Myles Hartsfield S Ole Miss
TreVontae HightsWR TCU
Mike Horton G Auburn
Jordan MackLB Virginia
Frederick Mauigoa C Washington State
Chris Orr LB Wisconsin
David ReeseLB Florida
Giovanni Ricci TE Western Michigan
Austrian Robinson DT Ole Miss
Rodney Smith RB Minnesota
Cam SuttonTE Fresno State
Sam Tecklenburg C Baylor

Staff

2020 Carolina Panthers staff

Front office

  • Owner – David Tepper
  • Executive director of player personnel – Jeff Morrow
  • Executive director of football staff – Mark Carrier
  • Vice president of football operations – Sean Padden
  • Director of football operations – Bryan Porter
  • Director of player personnel – Pat Stewart
  • Director of pro personnel – Matt Allen
  • Director of football analytics – Taylor Rajack

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Coaching assistants

  • Assistant to the Head Coach – Matthew Delgado
  • Coaching Assistant – EJ Barthel
  • Coaching Assistant – DJ Mangas
  • Coaching Assistant – Grant Udinski
  • Coaching Assistant – Cedric Whitaker

Strength and conditioning

  • Head athletic trainer – Kevin King
  • Strength and conditioning – Jeremy Scott
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Gus Felder and Thomas Barbeau

Final roster

2020 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
53 active, 12 reserve, 14 practice squad (+1 exempt)

Preseason

The Panthers' preseason schedule was announced on May 7, but was later cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [2]

WeekDateOpponentVenueResult
1August 13 Jacksonville Jaguars Bank of America Stadium Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2August 20at New England Patriots Gillette Stadium
3August 30at Baltimore Ravens M&T Bank Stadium
4September 3 Pittsburgh Steelers Bank of America Stadium

Regular season

Schedule

The Panthers' 2020 schedule was announced on May 7. [2]

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueRecap
1 September 13 Las Vegas Raiders L 30–340–1 Bank of America Stadium Recap
2 September 20at Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 17–310–2 Raymond James Stadium Recap
3 September 27at Los Angeles Chargers W 21–161–2 SoFi Stadium Recap
4 October 4 Arizona Cardinals W 31–212–2Bank of America Stadium Recap
5 October 11at Atlanta Falcons W 23–163–2 Mercedes-Benz Stadium Recap
6 October 18 Chicago Bears L 16–233–3Bank of America Stadium Recap
7 October 25at New Orleans Saints L 24–273–4 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap
8 October 29 Atlanta Falcons L 17–253–5Bank of America Stadium Recap
9 November 8at Kansas City Chiefs L 31–333–6 Arrowhead Stadium Recap
10 November 15 Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 23–463–7Bank of America Stadium Recap
11 November 22 Detroit Lions W 20–04–7Bank of America Stadium Recap
12 November 29at Minnesota Vikings L 27–284–8 U.S. Bank Stadium Recap
13 Bye
14 December 13 Denver Broncos L 27–324–9Bank of America Stadium Recap
15 December 19at Green Bay Packers L 16–244–10 Lambeau Field Recap
16 December 27at Washington Football Team W 20–135–10 FedExField Recap
17 January 3 New Orleans Saints L 7–335–11Bank of America Stadium Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Las Vegas Raiders

Week One: Las Vegas Raiders at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Raiders71010734
Panthers9601530

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

In the Panthers' home opener, they came close to beating the Las Vegas Raiders until a Raiders touchdown at the end of the fourth quarter. The Panthers, facing a 4th and 1 near midfield, gave the ball to FB Alexander Armah who was stuffed at the line of scrimmage, resulting in a turnover on downs; they were criticized for not giving the ball to McCaffrey. The Panthers lost 30–34 and started off the season 0–1.

Week 2: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week Two: Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Panthers0071017
Buccaneers14701031

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

Game information

Carolina traveled down south to Tampa Bay to face their new quarterback, Tom Brady. It was a scoreless first half for the Panthers while Tampa Bay managed to score 21 points. In the third Christian McCaffrey put points up on the board for Carolina. He again scored another touchdown early in the fourth decreasing the lead to seven. Soon after he left the game with a sprained ankle. Tampa Bay and Carolina then both scored field goals. Leonard Fournette ran up the field 46 yards for a Bucs touchdown. The Buccaneers defeat the Panthers 31–17. With this loss, the Panthers suffered their second consecutive 0–2 start.

Week 3: at Los Angeles Chargers

Week Three: Carolina Panthers at Los Angeles Chargers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Panthers6120321
Chargers073616

at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California

  • Date: September 27
  • Game time: 4:05 p.m. EDT/1:05 p.m. PDT
  • Game weather: Hazy, 77 °F (25 °C)
  • Game attendance: 0
  • Referee: Tony Corrente
  • TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel, Rich Gannon and Jay Feely
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

The Panthers were able to hold off the Chargers and defeat them 21–16, improving to 1–2. With this win they snapped a 10-game losing streak dating back to week 9 of last season. [3]

Week 4: vs. Arizona Cardinals

Week Four: Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Cardinals077721
Panthers1477331

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

The Panthers started the game off with scoring two touchdowns by Mike Davis and Teddy Bridgewater in the first quarter. In the second Arizona's Patrick Peterson intercepted a pass intended for Ian Thomas. Kyler Murray threw a three-yard pass to Jordan Thomas resulting in a Cardinals touchdown. Kyler Murray fumbles the ball in the third quarter and it was recovered by Carolina. The Panthers score with another Ian Thomas touchdown. Arizona answers back with a touchdown. Joey Slye kicks a field goal for Carolina, and Chase Edmonds scores a touchdown for Arizona in the fourth. Panthers win 31–21 and improve to 2–2.

Ahead of this matchup, the Panthers announced that they would be deploying robotic technology to disinfect areas around their stadium and locker room as an effort to keep fans and players safe from COVID-19. [4]

Week 5: at Atlanta Falcons

Week Five: Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Panthers3170323
Falcons703616

at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

Game information

The Panthers defeat the Falcons 23–16, and improve to 3–2. This was also the team's first win in Atlanta since 2014.

Week 6: vs. Chicago Bears

Week Six: Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Bears767323
Panthers3301016

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

Chicago beats Carolina 23–16, and the Panthers fall to 3–3.

Week 7: at New Orleans Saints

Week Seven: Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Panthers3147024
Saints7143327

at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

  • Date: October 25
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT/12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 3,000
  • Referee: Craig Wrolstad
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Kugler, Chris Spielman and Laura Okmin
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

It was another close one for the Panthers but they ended up losing to Saints 24–27 after Joey Slye missed a tying field goal, and fall to 3–4. This was quarterback Teddy Bridgewater's first return to New Orleans since leaving the team via free agency during the offseason.

Week 8: vs. Atlanta Falcons

Week Eight: Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Falcons6103625
Panthers773017

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

Week 9: at Kansas City Chiefs

Week Nine: Carolina Panthers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Panthers71001431
Chiefs31071333

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

Game information

Week 10: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week Ten: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Buccaneers710121746
Panthers1430623

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

  • Date: November 15
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 65 °F (18 °C)
  • Game attendance: 5,815
  • Referee: Land Clark
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Burkhardt, Daryl Johnston and Pam Oliver
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 11: vs. Detroit Lions

Week Eleven: Detroit Lions at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Lions00000
Panthers7010320

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

  • Date: November 22
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 65 °F (18 °C)
  • Game attendance: 5,546
  • Referee: Ronald Torbert
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Kugler, Chris Spielman and Laura Okmin
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

This was the Panthers' first shutout win since week 14 of 2015. It was also QB P. J. Walker's first NFL start.

Week 12: at Minnesota Vikings

Week Twelve: Carolina Panthers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Panthers0714627
Vikings7301828

at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: November 29
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 0
  • Referee: Brad Rogers
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma and Shannon Spake
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

In the final minutes of the game, the Panthers had a 27–21 lead over Minnesota. However, Kirk Cousins threw the game-winning touchdown with 46 seconds left.

Week 14: vs. Denver Broncos

Week Fourteen: Denver Broncos at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Broncos6712732
Panthers0731727

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

With this loss, the Carolina Panthers are 1–6 in their last 7 games versus Denver.

Week 15: at Green Bay Packers

Week Fifteen: Carolina Panthers at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Panthers307616
Packers7140324

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Game information

Week 16: at Washington Football Team

Week Sixteen: Carolina Panthers at Washington Football Team – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Panthers6140020
Washington033713

at FedExField, Landover, Maryland

Game information

With the win against the Washington Football Team, the Panthers recorded their 200th win in franchise history.

Week 17: vs. New Orleans Saints

Week Seventeen: New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Saints7910733
Panthers70007

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

  • Date: January 3, 2021
  • Game time: 4:25 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 57 °F (14 °C)
  • Game attendance: 1,500
  • Referee: John Hussey
  • TV announcers (Fox): Adam Amin, Mark Schlereth and Lindsay Czarniak
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Standings

Division

NFC South
WLTPCTDIVCONFPFPASTK
(2) New Orleans Saints 1240.7506–010–2482337W2
(5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1150.6884–28–4492355W4
Carolina Panthers 5110.3131–54–8350402L1
Atlanta Falcons 4120.2501–52–10396414L5

Conference

#TeamDivisionWLTPCTDIVCONFSOSSOVSTK
Division leaders
1 Green Bay Packers North1330.8135–110–2.428.387W6
2 [a] New Orleans Saints South1240.7506–010–2.459.406W2
3 [a] Seattle Seahawks West1240.7504–29–3.447.404W4
4 Washington Football Team East790.4384–25–7.459.388W1
Wild cards
5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers South1150.6884–28–4.488.392W4
6 Los Angeles Rams West1060.6253–39–3.494.484W1
7 [b] Chicago Bears North880.5002–46–6.488.336L1
Did not qualify for the postseason
8 [b] Arizona Cardinals West880.5002–46–6.475.441L2
9 Minnesota Vikings North790.4384–25–7.504.366W1
10 [c] San Francisco 49ers West6100.3753–34–8.549.448L1
11 [c] [d] New York Giants East6100.3754–25–7.502.427W1
12 [d] Dallas Cowboys East6100.3752–45–7.471.333L1
13 [e] Carolina Panthers South5110.3131–54–8.531.388L1
14 [e] Detroit Lions North5110.3131–54–8.508.350L4
15 Philadelphia Eagles East4111.2812–44–8.537.469L3
16 Atlanta Falcons South4120.2501–52–10.551.391L5
Tiebreakers [f]
  1. 1 2 New Orleans finished ahead of Seattle based on conference record.
  2. 1 2 Chicago finished and clinched the 7th and final playoff spot ahead of Arizona based on better win percentage in common games (against Detroit, the NY Giants, Carolina, and the LA Rams, Chicago finished 3–2, while Arizona finished 1–4).
  3. 1 2 San Francisco finished ahead of the NY Giants based on head-to-head victory. Division tie break was initially used to eliminate Dallas (see below).
  4. 1 2 NY Giants won tiebreaker over Dallas based on division record.
  5. 1 2 Carolina finished ahead of Detroit based on head-to-head victory.
  6. 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.

References

  1. "Panthers agree to terms with 17 undrafted free agents". panthers.com. Carolina Panthers. April 27, 2020.
  2. 1 2 Shook, Nick (July 27, 2020). "Roger Goodell writes letter to NFL fans as training camps start across U.S." NFL. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  3. Gantt, Darin (September 27, 2020). "Panthers snap 10-game losing streak, beat Chargers". ProFootballTalk. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
  4. Young, Jabari (October 1, 2020). "The Carolina Panthers will use a $125,000 virus-killing robot in their stadium as fans return with Covid-19 restrictions". CNBC. Retrieved December 11, 2023.