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 will serve as the interim head coach for the remainder of the season.[1] 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.[2]
Table of Contents
Offseason[edit]
Signings[edit]
Position
Player
Age
2021 Team
Contract
C
Bradley Bozeman
27
Baltimore Ravens
1 year, $2.8 million
G
Austin Corbett
26
Los Angeles Rams
3 years, $26.2 million
RB
D’Onta Foreman
26
Tennessee Titans
1 year, $2 million
P
Johnny Hekker
32
Los Angeles Rams
3 years, $7.6 million
WR
Rashard Higgins
27
Cleveland Browns
1 year, $1.1 million
DT
Matt Ioannidis
28
Washington Commanders
1 year, $9.5 million
LB
Cory Littleton
28
Las Vegas Raiders
1 year, $2.6 million
LB
Damien Wilson
29
Jacksonville Jaguars
2 years, $6.9 million
FS
Xavier Woods
26
Minnesota Vikings
3 years, $15 million
WR
Andre Roberts
34
Los Angeles Chargers
1 year, $1.7 million
Draft[edit]
Draft trades
^ abThe Panthers traded second- and fourth-round selections (38th and 111th overall), and a 2021 sixth-round selection to the New York Jets in exchange for QB Sam Darnold.
^ abThe Panthers traded TE Dan Arnold and a third-round selection (70th overall) to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for CB C. J. Henderson and a fifth-round selection (144th overall).[3]
^ abThe Panthers traded a fourth-round selection (137th overall) and a 2023 third-round selection to the New England Patriots in exchange for a third-round selection (94th overall).
^ abcdThe Panthers traded two fifth-round selections (144th and 149th overall) to the Washington Commanders in exchange for fourth- and sixth-round selections (120th and 189th overall).
^The Panthers traded a 2021 third-round selection to the Houston Texans in exchange for a fourth-round selection (137th overall), and 2021 fourth- and fifth-round selections.
^The Panthers traded a sixth-round selection (185th overall) to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for DE Darryl Johnson.
^ abThe Panthers traded LB Denzel Perryman and a seventh-round selection (227th overall) to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for a sixth-round selection (199th overall).
^The Panthers traded OT Greg Little to the Miami Dolpins in exchange for a seventh-round selection (242nd overall).
Trades[edit]
2022 Carolina Panthers staff
Front office
Owner – David Tepper
President – Kristi Coleman
General manager – Scott Fitterer
Assistant general manager – Dan Morgan
Vice president of football operations & senior advisor to ownership – Steven Drummond
Vice president of football administration – Samir Suleiman
Vice president of player personnel – Pat Stewart
Senior personnel executive – Jeff Morrow
Director of football operations – Mike Anderson
Director of college scouting – Cole Spencer
Director of pro scouting – Rob Hanrahan
Assistant director of pro scouting – Tyler Ramsey
Director of football analytics – Taylor Rajack
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
Offensive coordinator – Ben McAdoo
Quarterbacks – Sean Ryan
Wide receivers – Joe Dailey
Tight ends – Kevin M. Gilbride
Offensive line – James Campen
Assistant offensive line – Robert Kugler
Pass game specialist – Matt Lombardi
Offensive assistant – Garret McGuire
Offensive assistant – Jody Owens
Defensive coaches
Interim defensive coordinator – Al Holcomb
Defensive run game coordinator – Mike Siravo
Defensive line – Terrance Knighton
Assistant defensive line – Don Johnson
Defensive backs – Bobby Mafei
Defensive assistant – Rob Dvoracek
Special teams coaches
Special teams coordinator – Chris Tabor
Special teams assistant – Cedric Whitaker
Strength and conditioning
Head athletic trainer – Kevin King
Strength and conditioning – Jeremy Scott
Strength and conditioning assistant – Thomas Barbeau
Strength and conditioning assistant – Corey Campbell
CAR – Robbie Anderson – 5 receptions, 102 yards, TD
In the Panthers’ home opener against the Cleveland Browns, they came close to winning, but the Browns were able to hold them off. Cleveland defeated Carolina 26–24, meaning the Panthers started off the season 0–1.
Week 2: at New York Giants[edit]
Game information
First quarter
NYG – Graham Gano 36-yard field goal, 12:50. Giants 3–0. Drive: 4 plays, 4 yards, 2:02.
NYG – Graham Gano 33-yard field goal, 2:30. Giants 6–0. Drive: 13 plays, 25 yards, 7:47.
Second quarter
CAR – Eddy Piñeiro 31-yard field goal, 12:15. Giants 6–3. Drive: 13 plays, 58 yards, 5:15.
CAR – Eddy Piñeiro 32-yard field goal, 0:56. Tied 6–6. Drive: 10 plays, 34 yards, 4:23.
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
NYG – Graham Gano 51-yard field goal, 12:31. Giants 16–13. Drive: 9 plays, 58 yards, 3:24.
CAR – Eddy Piñeiro 38-yard field goal, 10:46. Tied 16–16. Drive: 5 plays, 55 yards, 1:45.
NYG – Graham Gano 56-yard field goal, 3:34. Giants 19–16. Drive: 11 plays, 37 yards, 7:12.
Top passers
CAR – Baker Mayfield – 14/29, 145 yards, TD
NYG – Daniel Jones – 22/34, 176 yards, TD
Top rushers
Top receivers
CAR – D. J. Moore – 3 receptions, 43 yards, TD
NYG – Richie James – 5 receptions, 51 yards
This was head coach Matt Rhule’s first return to MetLife Stadium in 10 years, as he had previously served as the Giants’ asst. offensive line coach under then-head coach Tom Coughlin in 2012, a season after the Giants won their 4th Super Bowl title. Things started poorly for the Panthers when, during kick-off, Chuba Hubbard fumbled the ball, and it was recovered by the New York Giants. New York ended up scoring a field goal on the ensuing drive. When Carolina got the ball back, they would fumble again and the Giants scored another field goal. In the second quarter, Eddy Piñeiro scores two field goals for the Panthers, tying the game. Baker Mayfield makes a complete pass to D. J. Moore in the third for a touchdown. The Giants answered back with a Daniel Bellinger touch down, tying the game at 13-13 going into the 4th quarter. The Panthers only scored three points in the fourth, while New York scored 6, giving the Giants a 19-16 win, dropping the Panthers to an 0–2 record.
Week 3: vs. New Orleans Saints[edit]
Week 3: New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Period
1
2
3
4
Total
Saints
0
0
0
14
14
Panthers
7
6
0
9
22
at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
CAR – Eddy Piñeiro 45-yard field goal, 14:16. Panthers 10–0. Drive: 10 plays, 40 yards, 5:10.
CAR – Eddy Piñeiro 48-yard field goal, 2:56. Panthers 13–0. Drive: 10 plays, 52 yards, 5:36.
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
NO – Mark Ingram II 5-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 12:31. Panthers 13–7. Drive: 10 plays, 89 yards, 3:28.
CAR – Laviska Shenault 67-yard pass from Baker Mayfield (run failed), 12:06. Panthers 19–7. Drive: 2 plays, 67 yards, 0:25.
CAR – Eddy Piñeiro 34-yard field goal, 8:19. Panthers 22–7. Drive: 7 plays, 19 yards, 3:00.
CAR – Laviska Shenault – 2 receptions, 90 yards, TD
The game started off well for Carolina in the first quarter when New Orleans fumbled the ball. Marquis Haynes recovered it and scored a fumble recovery touchdown for the Panthers. Carolina led by thirteen points at the half after Eddy Piñeiro kicked two field goals in the second quarter. Early in the fourth, Mark Ingram scores a touchdown for the Saints, giving them their first points of the game. Baker Mayfield completes a 67-yard pass to Laviska Shenault for a touchdown. They tried for a two-point conversion, but it failed. With 8:19 to go into the game, Piñeiro kicked another field goal for Carolina. With 2:22 remaining, Marquez Callaway scores a touchdown for the Saints, though it wasn’t enough. Carolina defeated New Orleans 22–14, snapping a 9 game losing streak and improving to 1–2.
Week 4: vs. Arizona Cardinals[edit]
Week 4: Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Period
1
2
3
4
Total
Cardinals
0
3
7
16
26
Panthers
0
10
0
6
16
at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
CAR – Christian McCaffrey 19-yard run (run failed), 11:57. 49ers 17–9. Drive: 7 plays, 51 yards, 3:03.
SF – Deebo Samuel 4-yard pass from Jimmy Garoppolo (Robbie Gould kick), 6:32. 49ers 24–9. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:25.
CAR – Eddy Pineiro 37-yard field goal, 3:40. 49ers 24–12. Drive: 6 plays, 31 yards, 2:52.
Fourth quarter
SF – Jeff Wilson Jr. 1-yard run (kick failed, wide left), 12:31. 49ers 30–12. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 6:09.
CAR – Eddy Pineiro 34-yard field goal, 6:51. 49ers 30–15. Drive: 12 plays, 59 yards, 5:40.
SF – Tevin Coleman 5-yard run (Mitch Wishnowsky kick), 3:15. 49ers 37–15. Drive: 2 plays, 3 yards, 0:51.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
The Panthers lose to San Francisco 15–37 and dropped to 1–4 on the year. This was head coach Matt Rhule’s and defensive coordinator Phil Snow’s last game with the Panthers, as both were fired in the days following the loss with Steve Wilks promoted to interim head coach. In addition, Baker Mayfield, who had another disappointing performance, was benched in favor of P.J. Walker.
Week 6: at Los Angeles Rams[edit]
Game information
First quarter
CAR – Eddy Piñeiro 42-yard field goal, 8:38. Panthers 3–0. Drive: 12 plays, 51 yards, 6:22.
Second quarter
Third quarter
LAR – Matt Gay 21-yard field goal, 4:37. Tied 10–10. Drive: 12 plays, 87 yards, 6:46.
LAR – Ben Skowronek 17-yard run (Matt Gay kick), 0:11. Rams 17–10. Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards, 2:50.
Fourth quarter
LAR – Darrell Henderson 2-yard run (Matt Gay kick), 8:15. Rams 24–10. Drive: 10 plays, 61 yards, 5:17.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Carolina started the game off with a field goal in the first. Both the Panthers and the Rams scored touchdowns in the second, leaving them up 10-7 into the half. The Panthers went scoreless in the second half, while Los Angeles took control and scored 17. The Rams defeated Carolina 24–10. For the first time since 2016, the Panthers were 1–5.
This was also the last game Christian McCaffrey would play in as a player of the Panthers, as he was traded to the San Francisco 49ers on October 20, 2022.[7]
Week 7: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers[edit]
Week 7: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Period
1
2
3
4
Total
Buccaneers
0
0
0
3
3
Panthers
0
7
7
7
21
at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
CAR – Chuba Hubbard 17-yard run (Eddy Piñeiro kick), 3:11. Panthers 14–0. Drive: 3 plays, 77 yards, 0:49.
Fourth quarter
TB – Ryan Succop 27-yard field goal, 13:38. Panthers 14–3. Drive: 14 plays, 67 yards, 4:33.
CAR – Tommy Tremble 29-yard pass from P. J. Walker (Eddy Piñeiro kick), 9:33. Panthers 21–3. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 4:05.
Top passers
TB – Tom Brady – 32/49, 290 yards
CAR – P. J. Walker – 16/22, 177 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
Top receivers
TB – Mike Evans – 9 receptions, 96 yards
CAR – D. J. Moore – 7 receptions, 69 yards, TD
Carolina and Tampa Bay were both scoreless in the first quarter. With 35 seconds to go in the second, P. J. Walker made a 20-yard pass to D. J. Moore for a Panthers touchdown, putting Carolina up by 7 at the half. Chuba Hubbard scored a touchdown in the third, as Ryan Succop made a field goal for the Bucs in the fourth. Walker threw it to Tommy Tremble for a game sealing touchdown. The Panthers won 21–3 and improved to 2–5.
Week 8: at Atlanta Falcons[edit]
In a close game, the Falcons defeated Carolina 37–34 in overtime. The Panthers dropped to 2–6.
Week 9: at Cincinnati Bengals[edit]
Week 9: Carolina Panthers at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
Period
1
2
3
4
Total
Panthers
0
0
7
14
21
Bengals
7
28
7
0
42
at Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
Date: November 6
Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
Game weather: Sunny, 70 °F (21 °C)
Game attendance: 66,160
Referee: Alex Kemp
TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Kugler, Mark Sanchez and Laura Okmin
CIN – Joe Burrow 1-yard run (Evan McPherson kick), 14:37. Bengals 14–0. Drive: 10 plays, 71 yards, 5:50.
CIN – Joe Mixon 3-yard run (Evan McPherson kick), 7:29. Bengals 21–0. Drive: 9 plays, 59 yards, 5:09.
CIN – Joe Mixon 1-yard run (Evan McPherson kick), 3:45. Bengals 28–0. Drive: 5 plays, 42 yards, 2:51.
CIN – Joe Mixon 12-yard pass from Joe Burrow (Evan McPherson kick), 0:04. Bengals 35–0. Drive: 5 plays, 23 yards, 1:05.
Third quarter
CAR – Tommy Tremble 8-yard pass from Baker Mayfield (Eddy Piñeiro kick), 10:52. Bengals 35–7. Drive: 8 plays, 37 yards, 4:08.
CIN – Joe Mixon 14-yard run (Evan McPherson kick), 4:38. Bengals 42–7. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 6:14.
Fourth quarter
CAR – Terrace Marshall Jr. 21-yard pass from Baker Mayfield (Eddy Piñeiro kick), 7:47. Bengals 42–14. Drive: 10 plays, 56 yards, 5:01.
CAR – Raheem Blackshear 2-yard run (Eddy Piñeiro kick), 1:29. Bengals 42–21. Drive: 10 plays, 62 yards, 2:18.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
In the first half of this blowout, Carolina was scoreless, in part due to poor play from Walker, who posted a 0.0 passer rating, while the Cincinnati Bengals scored 5 touchdowns, four of them from Bengals running back Joe Mixon. Walker was removed from the game in favor of Mayfield, as both teams scored 7 in the third quarter. The Panthers went on to score 14 in the fourth, and even though Cincinnati went scoreless, the Bengals kept their comfortable lead and won 42–21. Carolina fell to 2–7.
Week 10: vs. Atlanta Falcons[edit]
Week 10: Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Period
1
2
3
4
Total
Falcons
0
3
6
6
15
Panthers
3
10
6
6
25
at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
Game information
First quarter
CAR – Eddy Piñeiro 46-yard field goal, 6:59. Panthers 3–0. Drive: 10 plays, 41 yards, 4:22.
Second quarter
CAR – Laviska Shenault 41-yard run (Eddy Piñeiro kick), 4:34. Panthers 10–0. Drive: 2 plays, 43 yards, 0:52.
CAR – Eddy Piñeiro 49-yard field goal, 1:47. Panthers 13–0. Drive: 7 plays, 14 yards, 2:24.
ATL – Drake London 7-yard pass from Marcus Mariota (kick failed), 6:15. Panthers 13–9. Drive: 6 plays, 42 yards, 2:46.
CAR – D’Onta Foreman 12-yard run (kick failed), 1:51. Panthers 19–9. Drive: 7 plays, 84 yards, 4:24.
Fourth quarter
CAR – Eddy Piñeiro 40-yard field goal, 9:22. Panthers 22–9. Drive: 11 plays, 54 yards, 5:25.
ATL – KhaDarel Hodge 25-yard pass from Marcus Mariota (kick blocked), 2:56. Panthers 22–15. Drive: 8 plays, 97 yards, 2:22.
CAR – Eddy Piñeiro 37-yard field goal, 0:10. Panthers 25–15. Drive: 4 plays, 0 yards, 1:40.
Top passers
Top rushers
ATL – Marcus Mariota – 3 rushes, 43 yards
CAR – D’Onta Foreman – 31 rushes, 130 yards, TD
Top receivers
Carolina sought revenge against Atlanta in this Thursday Night Football game after losing in a heartbreaker 11 days prior. The Panthers got their chance, winning 25–15 and improving to 3–7.
Week 11: at Baltimore Ravens[edit]
Week 11: Carolina Panthers at Baltimore Ravens – Game summary
Period
1
2
3
4
Total
Panthers
0
0
3
0
3
Ravens
0
3
0
10
13
at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland
Date: November 20
Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
Game weather: Sunny, 36 °F (2 °C)
Game attendance: 70,677
Referee: Jerome Boger
TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Kugler, Mark Sanchez and Laura Okmin
BAL – Justin Tucker 32-yard field goal, 0:00. Ravens 3–0. Drive: 15 plays, 76 yards, 3:38.
Third quarter
CAR – Eddy Piñeiro 32-yard field goal, 8:07. Tied 3–3. Drive: 9 plays, 40 yards, 3:15.
Fourth quarter
BAL – Justin Tucker 37-yard field goal, 8:27. Ravens 6–3. Drive: 12 plays, 67 yards, 7:00.
BAL – Lamar Jackson 1-yard run (Justin Tucker kick), 7:16. Ravens 13–3. Drive: 2 plays, 31 yards, 0:58.
Top passers
CAR – Baker Mayfield – 21/33, 196 yards, 2 INT
BAL – Lamar Jackson – 24/33, 209 yards, INT
Top rushers
Top receivers
Baker returned from the bench in a 13–3 low scoring affair that saw Carolina fall to 3–8. This was also the last game he’d play for the Panthers, as Sam Darnold was healthy enough to return, and Mayfield would soon be released by the Panthers, signing with the Rams.
Week 12: vs. Denver Broncos[edit]
Week 12: Denver Broncos at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Period
1
2
3
4
Total
Broncos
0
3
0
7
10
Panthers
7
3
7
6
23
at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
DEN – Brandon McManus 27-yard field goal, 10:11. Panthers 7–3. Drive: 5 plays, 18 yards, 2:35.
CAR – Eddy Piñeiro 42-yard field goal, 4:42. Panthers 10–3. Drive: 10 plays, 51 yards, 5:29.
Third quarter
CAR – Sam Darnold 2-yard run (Eddy Piñeiro kick), 7:21. Panthers 17–3. Drive: 10 plays, 72 yards, 6:13.
Fourth quarter
CAR – Eddy Piñeiro 26-yard field goal, 13:33. Panthers 20–3. Drive: 7 plays, 67 yards, 2:19.
CAR – Eddy Piñeiro 36-yard field goal, 8:59. Panthers 23–3. Drive: 7 plays, 17 yards, 4:25.
DEN – Brandon Johnson 1-yard pass from Russell Wilson (Brandon McManus kick), 3:19. Panthers 23–10. Drive: 14 plays, 77 yards, 5:40.
Top passers
DEN – Russell Wilson – 19/35, 142 yards, TD
CAR – Sam Darnold – 11/19, 164 yards, TD
Top rushers
Top receivers
DEN – Courtland Sutton – 6 receptions, 75 yards
CAR – D. J. Moore – 4 receptions, 103 yards, TD
Darnold’s first start in the season saw the Panthers beat the Broncos for the first time since the 2008 season in a 23-10 score. The Panthers improved to 4-8.
Week 14: at Seattle Seahawks[edit]
Week 14: Carolina Panthers at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
Period
1
2
3
4
Total
Panthers
10
10
0
10
30
Seahawks
0
14
3
7
24
at Lumen Field, Seattle, Washington
Game information
First quarter
CAR – Eddy Piñeiro 47-yard field goal, 7:05. Panthers 3–0. Drive: 13 plays, 43 yards, 7:55.
CAR – Shi Smith 13-yard pass from Sam Darnold (Eddy Piñeiro kick), 6:44. Panthers 10–0. Drive: 1 play, 13 yards, 0:05.
Second quarter
CAR – Chuba Hubbard 2-yard run (Eddy Piñeiro kick), 12:35. Panthers 17–0. Drive: 12 plays, 74 yards, 6:52.
Carolina defeated Seattle for the first time since 2015, winning 30–24. The Panthers improved to 5–8, and with a Buccaneers loss, also allowed them control of their own destiny, meaning they were guaranteed a spot in the playoffs if they could win out.
Week 15: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers[edit]
Week 15: Pittsburgh Steelers at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Period
1
2
3
4
Total
Steelers
7
7
7
3
24
Panthers
0
7
0
9
16
at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
CAR – Eddy Piñeiro 29-yard field goal, 11:52. Steelers 21–10. Drive: 11 plays, 64 yards, 6:25.
CAR – Eddy Piñeiro 32-yard field goal, 6:15. Steelers 21–13. Drive: 7 plays, 59 yards, 4:06.
PIT – Chris Boswell 50-yard field goal, 1:04. Steelers 24–13. Drive: 13 plays, 43 yards, 5:11.
CAR – Eddy Piñeiro 52-yard field goal, 0:19. Steelers 24–16. Drive: 5 plays, 29 yards, 0:45.
Top passers
PIT – Mitchell Trubisky – 17/22, 179 yards
CAR – Sam Darnold – 14/23, 225 yards, TD
Top rushers
PIT – Najee Harris – 24 rushes, 86 yards, TD
CAR – Chuba Hubbard – 4 rushes, 10 yards
Top receivers
PIT – Diontae Johnson – 10 receptions, 98 yards
CAR – D. J. Moore – 5 receptions, 73 yards, TD
Mitchell Trubisky and the Pittsburgh Steelers were too much for Carolina, defeating them 24–16. The Panthers fell to 5–9, yet still maintained control of their destiny.
Week 16: vs. Detroit Lions[edit]
Week 16: Detroit Lions at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Period
1
2
3
4
Total
Lions
7
0
6
10
23
Panthers
7
17
7
6
37
at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
Date:
Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
Game weather: Sunny, 20 °F (−7 °C)
Game attendance: 69,173
Referee: Shawn Hochuli
TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Robert Smith and Jen Hale
CAR – Sam Darnold 3-yard run (Eddy Piñeiro kick), 9:35. Panthers 14–7. Drive: 8 plays, 91 yards, 4:42.
CAR – D’Onta Foreman 4-yard run (Eddy Piñeiro kick), 2:08. Panthers 21–7. Drive: 11 plays, 92 yards, 6:26.
CAR – Eddy Piñeiro 37-yard field goal, 0:00. Panthers 24–7. Drive: 7 plays, 68 yards, 0:59.
Third quarter
CAR – D. J. Moore 5-yard pass from Sam Darnold (Eddy Piñeiro kick), 9:12. Panthers 31–7. Drive: 7 plays, 74 yards, 3:34.
DET – Shane Zylstra 7-yard pass from Jared Goff (Run failed), 3:09. Panthers 31–13. Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 3:12.
Fourth quarter
CAR – Eddy Piñeiro 40-yard field goal, 13:13. Panthers 34–13. Drive: 10 plays, 47 yards, 4:56.
DET – Shane Zylstra 1-yard pass from Jared Goff (Michael Badgley kick), 3:46. Panthers 34–20. Drive: 8 plays, 87 yards, 1:50.
CAR – Eddy Piñeiro 36-yard field goal, 1:56. Panthers 37–20. Drive: 6 plays, 32 yards, 1:50.
DET – Michael Badgley 34-yard field goal, 0:36. Panthers 37–23. Drive: 8 plays, 62 yards, 1:20.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
On Christmas Eve, the Panthers ran all over the Detroit Lions, beating them 37–23, as well as setting new franchise records in rushing yards in a game and total yards in a game. Carolina improved to 6–9, improving on their 5 win totals from the previous three seasons.
Week 17: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers[edit]
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
CAR – D. J. Moore 24-yard pass from Sam Darnold (Eddy Piñeiro kick), 7:51. Panthers 14–0. Drive: 8 plays, 57 yards, 4:09.
TB – Mike Evans 63-yard pass from Tom Brady (Ryan Succop kick), 2:10. Panthers 14–7. Drive: 4 plays, 80 yards, 0:52.
TB – Ryan Succop 22-yard field goal, 1:09. Panthers 14–10. Drive: 4 plays, 9 yards, 0:48.
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
CAR – Shi Smith 19-yard pass from Sam Darnold (Eddy Piñeiro kick), 14:50. Panthers 21–10. Drive: 7 plays, 91 yards, 3:47.
TB – Mike Evans 57-yard pass from Tom Brady (pass failed), 13:49. Panthers 21–16. Drive: 3 plays, 75 yards, 1:01.
TB – Mike Evans 30-yard pass from Tom Brady (Tom Brady-Chris Godwin pass), 6:47. Buccaneers 24–21. Drive: 8 plays, 92 yards, 3:06.
TB – Tom Brady 1-yard run (kick failed), 1:58. Buccaneers 30–21. Drive: 2 plays, 6 yards, 0:26.
CAR – Eddy Piñeiro 49-yard field goal, 0:59. Buccaneers 30–24. Drive: 8 plays, 44 yards, 0:59.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
In a must win game, the Panthers visited the Buccaneers. Despite holding a 14-0 lead at one point, the Buccaneers were able to recover and win 30–24. Carolina fell to 6–10, and were officially eliminated from playoff contention.
Week 18: at New Orleans Saints[edit]
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
CAR – Eddy Piñeiro 42-yard field goal, 0:00. Panthers 10–7. Drive: 6 plays, 31 yards, 1:20.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
The Panthers are able to hold the Saints to a touchdown and win 10–7. They finished the season 7–10, capping off the first season since 2018 the Panthers won more than 5 games.
^ abSan Francisco finished ahead of Minnesota based on conference record (10–2 vs. 8–4).
^ abSeattle finished ahead of Detroit based on head-to-head victory.
^ abcCarolina finished ahead of New Orleans and Atlanta based on head-to-head record (3–1 vs. 2–2/1–3).
^ abNew Orleans finished ahead of Atlanta based on head-to-head sweep.
^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.
Recent Comments