Panthers schedule: Top 5 all-time toughest Carolina fixture lists
By Shane Norris
5. 2016 Season (6th toughest)
We start our list with a recent and painful season for the Carolina Panthers. Following a disappointing loss in the Super Bowl the previous season, the Panthers started 2016 with a chance at redemption. Unfortunately, the rematch with the Denver Broncos set a tone for the whole 2016 campaign.
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The Panthers schedule saw their opener come against the Broncos. They led into the fourth quarter before allowing 14 points in the closing minutes to start the season 0-1. The team rebounded the next week with a win over San Francisco, but a disturbing trend over giving up a major lead late continued.
That win was the last bright spot until Week 8 as the Panthers rattled off four straight losses, including one to each division rival. The rough stretch also included Cam Newton missing time for a concussion after a big hit in the game against Atlanta.
At 1-5, the season seemed destined for failure. But Ron Rivera‘s men were determined to turn things around.
Following a bye week, the team won three out of their next four matchups- including a rubber match with the New Orleans Saints.
That Saints match was another case of poor second-half defense, but also saw the loss of star linebacker Luke Kuechly to a concussion for the season.
Over the next four weeks, the team lost to the Oakland Raiders and Seattle Seahawks before winning two straight over the San Diego Chargers and Washington Redskins to keep their slim playoff chances alive. The Atlanta Falcons quickly ruined those hopes as the team finished the season with two straight divisional losses.
This team set several unfavorable marks: becoming the first Panthers squad to miss the playoffs since 2012, the first team to follow a 15-1 season without a playoff appearance, and the first team since the 2008 Patriots to miss the playoffs following a Super Bowl appearance.