2020 Carolina Panthers season | |
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Owner | David Tepper |
General manager | Marty Hurney (fired Dec. 21) |
Head coach | Matt Rhule |
Home field | Bank of America Stadium |
Results | |
Record | 5–11 |
Division place | 3rd NFC South |
Playoff finish | Did not qualify |
Pro Bowlers | None |
Uniform | |
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.
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.
Round | Selection | Player | Position | College | Notes |
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1 | 7 | Derrick Brown | DT | Auburn | |
2 | 38 | Yetur Gross-Matos | DE | Penn State | |
64 | Jeremy Chinn | S | Southern Illinois | from Seattle | |
4 | 113 | Troy Pride | CB | Notre Dame | |
5 | 152 | Kenny Robinson | S | West Virginia | from Washington |
6 | 184 | Bravvion Roy | DT | Baylor | |
7 | 221 | Stantley Thomas-Oliver | CB | Florida International |
Draft trades
Name | Position | College | Ref. |
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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 Hights | WR | TCU | |
Mike Horton | G | Auburn | |
Jordan Mack | LB | Virginia | |
Frederick Mauigoa | C | Washington State | |
Chris Orr | LB | Wisconsin | |
David Reese | LB | Florida | |
Giovanni Ricci | TE | Western Michigan | |
Austrian Robinson | DT | Ole Miss | |
Rodney Smith | RB | Minnesota | |
Cam Sutton | TE | Fresno State | |
Sam Tecklenburg | C | Baylor |
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
| Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Coaching assistants
Strength and conditioning
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The Panthers' preseason schedule was announced on May 7, but was later cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [2]
Week | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | August 13 | Jacksonville Jaguars | Bank of America Stadium | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic |
2 | August 20 | at New England Patriots | Gillette Stadium | |
3 | August 30 | at Baltimore Ravens | M&T Bank Stadium | |
4 | September 3 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Bank of America Stadium |
The Panthers' 2020 schedule was announced on May 7. [2]
Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Recap |
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1 | September 13 | Las Vegas Raiders | L 30–34 | 0–1 | Bank of America Stadium | Recap |
2 | September 20 | at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | L 17–31 | 0–2 | Raymond James Stadium | Recap |
3 | September 27 | at Los Angeles Chargers | W 21–16 | 1–2 | SoFi Stadium | Recap |
4 | October 4 | Arizona Cardinals | W 31–21 | 2–2 | Bank of America Stadium | Recap |
5 | October 11 | at Atlanta Falcons | W 23–16 | 3–2 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Recap |
6 | October 18 | Chicago Bears | L 16–23 | 3–3 | Bank of America Stadium | Recap |
7 | October 25 | at New Orleans Saints | L 24–27 | 3–4 | Mercedes-Benz Superdome | Recap |
8 | October 29 | Atlanta Falcons | L 17–25 | 3–5 | Bank of America Stadium | Recap |
9 | November 8 | at Kansas City Chiefs | L 31–33 | 3–6 | Arrowhead Stadium | Recap |
10 | November 15 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | L 23–46 | 3–7 | Bank of America Stadium | Recap |
11 | November 22 | Detroit Lions | W 20–0 | 4–7 | Bank of America Stadium | Recap |
12 | November 29 | at Minnesota Vikings | L 27–28 | 4–8 | U.S. Bank Stadium | Recap |
13 | Bye | |||||
14 | December 13 | Denver Broncos | L 27–32 | 4–9 | Bank of America Stadium | Recap |
15 | December 19 | at Green Bay Packers | L 16–24 | 4–10 | Lambeau Field | Recap |
16 | December 27 | at Washington Football Team | W 20–13 | 5–10 | FedExField | Recap |
17 | January 3 | New Orleans Saints | L 7–33 | 5–11 | Bank of America Stadium | Recap |
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Raiders | 7 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 34 |
Panthers | 9 | 6 | 0 | 15 | 30 |
at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
Game information | ||
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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.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Panthers | 0 | 0 | 7 | 10 | 17 |
Buccaneers | 14 | 7 | 0 | 10 | 31 |
at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
Game information | ||
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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.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Panthers | 6 | 12 | 0 | 3 | 21 |
Chargers | 0 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 16 |
at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California
Game information | ||
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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]
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Cardinals | 0 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 21 |
Panthers | 14 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 31 |
at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
Game information | ||
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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]
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Panthers | 3 | 17 | 0 | 3 | 23 |
Falcons | 7 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 16 |
at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Game information | ||
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The Panthers defeat the Falcons 23–16, and improve to 3–2. This was also the team's first win in Atlanta since 2014.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Bears | 7 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 23 |
Panthers | 3 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 16 |
at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
Game information | ||
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Chicago beats Carolina 23–16, and the Panthers fall to 3–3.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Panthers | 3 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 24 |
Saints | 7 | 14 | 3 | 3 | 27 |
at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
Game information | ||
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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.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Falcons | 6 | 10 | 3 | 6 | 25 |
Panthers | 7 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 17 |
at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
Game information | ||
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Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Panthers | 7 | 10 | 0 | 14 | 31 |
Chiefs | 3 | 10 | 7 | 13 | 33 |
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
Game information | ||
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Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Buccaneers | 7 | 10 | 12 | 17 | 46 |
Panthers | 14 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 23 |
at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
Game information | ||
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Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Lions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Panthers | 7 | 0 | 10 | 3 | 20 |
at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
Game information | ||
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This was the Panthers' first shutout win since week 14 of 2015. It was also QB P. J. Walker's first NFL start.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Panthers | 0 | 7 | 14 | 6 | 27 |
Vikings | 7 | 3 | 0 | 18 | 28 |
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Game information | ||
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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.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Broncos | 6 | 7 | 12 | 7 | 32 |
Panthers | 0 | 7 | 3 | 17 | 27 |
at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
Game information | ||
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With this loss, the Carolina Panthers are 1–6 in their last 7 games versus Denver.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Panthers | 3 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 16 |
Packers | 7 | 14 | 0 | 3 | 24 |
at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Game information | ||
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Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Panthers | 6 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
Washington | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 13 |
at FedExField, Landover, Maryland
Game information | ||
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With the win against the Washington Football Team, the Panthers recorded their 200th win in franchise history.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Saints | 7 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 33 |
Panthers | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
Game information | ||
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NFC South | |||||||||
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W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK | |
(2) New Orleans Saints | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 6–0 | 10–2 | 482 | 337 | W2 |
(5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 4–2 | 8–4 | 492 | 355 | W4 |
Carolina Panthers | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 1–5 | 4–8 | 350 | 402 | L1 |
Atlanta Falcons | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 1–5 | 2–10 | 396 | 414 | L5 |
# | Team | Division | W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | SOS | SOV | STK |
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Division leaders | |||||||||||
1 | Green Bay Packers | North | 13 | 3 | 0 | .813 | 5–1 | 10–2 | .428 | .387 | W6 |
2 [a] | New Orleans Saints | South | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 6–0 | 10–2 | .459 | .406 | W2 |
3 [a] | Seattle Seahawks | West | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 4–2 | 9–3 | .447 | .404 | W4 |
4 | Washington Football Team | East | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 4–2 | 5–7 | .459 | .388 | W1 |
Wild cards | |||||||||||
5 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | South | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 4–2 | 8–4 | .488 | .392 | W4 |
6 | Los Angeles Rams | West | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 3–3 | 9–3 | .494 | .484 | W1 |
7 [b] | Chicago Bears | North | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 2–4 | 6–6 | .488 | .336 | L1 |
Did not qualify for the postseason | |||||||||||
8 [b] | Arizona Cardinals | West | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 2–4 | 6–6 | .475 | .441 | L2 |
9 | Minnesota Vikings | North | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 4–2 | 5–7 | .504 | .366 | W1 |
10 [c] | San Francisco 49ers | West | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 3–3 | 4–8 | .549 | .448 | L1 |
11 [c] [d] | New York Giants | East | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 4–2 | 5–7 | .502 | .427 | W1 |
12 [d] | Dallas Cowboys | East | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 2–4 | 5–7 | .471 | .333 | L1 |
13 [e] | Carolina Panthers | South | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 1–5 | 4–8 | .531 | .388 | L1 |
14 [e] | Detroit Lions | North | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 1–5 | 4–8 | .508 | .350 | L4 |
15 | Philadelphia Eagles | East | 4 | 11 | 1 | .281 | 2–4 | 4–8 | .537 | .469 | L3 |
16 | Atlanta Falcons | South | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 1–5 | 2–10 | .551 | .391 | L5 |
Tiebreakers [f] | |||||||||||
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The 2001 Carolina Panthers season was the franchise's 7th season in the National Football League (NFL) and the 3rd and final under head coach George Seifert. They tried to improve upon their 7–9 record in 2000, and make it to the playoffs for the second time in franchise history; however, the Panthers instead suffered one of the worst seasons in NFL history, en route to going 1–15.
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. Until a new general manager was hired, director of football operations Brandon Beane served as interim general manager. 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.
The 2013 Atlanta Falcons season was the franchise's 48th season in the National Football League (NFL) and the sixth under head coach Mike Smith. The Falcons entered the season as one of the Super Bowl favorites; however, due to multiple key injuries to the team, the Falcons failed to improve on their 13–3 season from 2012, finishing 4-12. They did not qualify for postseason contention for the first time since 2009 and secured the Falcons’ first losing season since 2007.
The 2013 season was the Carolina Panthers' 19th in the National Football League (NFL) and their third under head coach Ron Rivera. NFL.com ranked the Panthers' schedule as the strongest in the league, with opponents having a combined 2012 record of 138–116–2 and a winning percentage of .543.
The 2014 Atlanta Falcons season was the franchise's 49th season in the National Football League (NFL) and the seventh and final under head coach Mike Smith. The Falcons were defeated by the Carolina Panthers in week 17, officially eliminating them from postseason contention for the second straight year. As a result, Smith was fired after his seventh year as head coach, after two straight years with a losing record.
The 2014 season was the Carolina Panthers' 20th in the National Football League (NFL) and their fourth under head coach Ron Rivera.
The 2015 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season was the franchise's 40th season in the National Football League (NFL) and the second and final under head coach Lovie Smith. The offseason was marked by the draft selection of All-American Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston first overall in the 2015 NFL draft. The team wore a patch to commemorate the club's 40th season.
The 2016 season was the Carolina Panthers' 22nd in the National Football League (NFL) and their sixth under head coach Ron Rivera. It was also the team's 20th season at Bank of America Stadium. The previous year, the Panthers achieved their highest win total in franchise history with a 15–1 record, but lost to the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50. They entered the 2016 season as the defending NFC champions and NFC South champions and hope to repeat as NFC champions.
The 2017 season was the Carolina Panthers' 23rd in the National Football League (NFL) and their seventh under head coach Ron Rivera. During the offseason, the team's notable free agent signings included Matt Kalil, Captain Munnerlyn and veteran Julius Peppers. Peppers previously spent his first eight seasons with the Panthers, appearing in Super Bowl XXXVIII with them. On July 17, 2017, the team announced Dave Gettleman had been relieved as general manager. His predecessor, Marty Hurney, was hired as interim general manager a day later. For the first time since 2011, the Panthers did not play the Seattle Seahawks during the regular season. The Panthers rebounded after a disappointing 2016 campaign, where they were the defending NFC champions but finished 6–10 and last in the NFC South. 2017 saw the Panthers qualify for the playoffs with an 11–5 record. However, they lost to the Saints 31–26 in the Wild Card round.
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.
The 2018 season was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 43rd in the National Football League (NFL), their fifth under the leadership of general manager Jason Licht, their 21st playing their home games at Raymond James Stadium and their third and final under head coach Dirk Koetter.
The 2019 season was the Carolina Panthers' 25th in the National Football League (NFL), and their ninth and last under head coach Ron Rivera. The Panthers played in London as part of the NFL International Series for the first time in franchise history. This for first time since 2004 Thomas Davis was not on the opening day roster and for first time since 2006 Ryan Kalil was not on the opening roster.
The 2019 season was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 44th in the National Football League (NFL), their sixth under the leadership of general manager Jason Licht, their 22nd playing their home games at Raymond James Stadium and their first under head coach Bruce Arians. Despite improving on their 5–11 record from 2018 with a Week 14 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, the Buccaneers missed the playoffs for the twelfth consecutive season, which meant the Buccaneers were one of two teams to not qualify for the postseason in the 2010s, with the other team being the Cleveland Browns.
The 2020 season was the Atlanta Falcons' 55th season in the National Football League (NFL), their fourth playing their home games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and their sixth and final season under head coach Dan Quinn.
The 2021 season was the 90th season for the Washington Football Team in the National Football League (NFL) and their second under head coach Ron Rivera. Some additions and changes include the team hiring Martin Mayhew as general manager and Marty Hurney as another high-ranking executive. With the hiring of Mayhew, who is black, Washington became the first team in NFL history to concurrently have a minority general manager, head coach, and team president. Ryan Kerrigan, the franchise's all-time sack leader, became a free agent in the offseason and played the year with division rival Philadelphia Eagles.
The 2021 season was the Atlanta Falcons' 56th season in the National Football League (NFL), their fifth playing their home games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and their first under general manager Terry Fontenot and head coach Arthur Smith.
The 2022 season was the Carolina Panthers' 28th in the National Football League (NFL) and their third and final season under head coach Matt Rhule. They attempted to improve on their 5–12 record from last season and return to the playoffs for the first time since the 2017 season. After a 1–4 start from the team, the Panthers fired head coach Matt Rhule, along with defensive coordinator Phil Snow. Rhule was replaced with defensive passing game coordinator Steve Wilks, who served as the interim head coach for the remainder of the season. After a Week 16 win against the Detroit Lions, they improved on their 5 win total from the previous 3 years. However, they were eliminated from playoff contention for the fifth straight year when they lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers the following week.
The 2023 season was the Atlanta Falcons' 58th in the National Football League (NFL), their seventh playing their home games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, their third under general manager Terry Fontenot and third and final season under head coach Arthur Smith. The Falcons attempted to improve upon their 7–10 record from the previous two years and return to the playoffs for the first time since 2017. Despite starting 2–0, the first time since 2017 they won a season opener and had a winning record at some point, their struggles caught up to them, as after being 1st place in the NFC South, the team finished 1–4 in their final five games. Atlanta matched their previous two outputs of seven wins with a victory over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 16. However, they were eliminated from playoff contention when the division rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Carolina Panthers in Week 18.
The 2023 season was the Carolina Panthers' 29th in the National Football League (NFL), their third and final under the leadership of general manager Scott Fitterer and their only under head coach Frank Reich. The Panthers started 0–6 for the first time since 1998. Following the team's Week 12 loss to the Tennessee Titans, not only did the Panthers fail to improve upon their 7–10 record from 2022, but they also fired Reich and named Chris Tabor as interim head coach. Reich's firing marks the third firing of a head coach in five years and the second firing in two years for the franchise. Following a Week 13 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Panthers were eliminated from playoff contention for the sixth consecutive season.
The 2024 season is the Carolina Panthers' 30th in the National Football League (NFL), their first under head coach Dave Canales and new general manager Dan Morgan. The Panthers improved on their NFL-worst 2–15 record from last year following a Week 10 International victory against the New York Giants in overtime. They will now attempt to make the playoffs after a six-year absence and end their 8-year NFC South title drought.