Taking a game-by-game look at just how the Carolina Panthers will get on during the 2020 season.
The Carolina Panthers have plenty of questions regarding their chances in 2020. They have undergone the most significant makeover in recent memory. And something this drastic does not give them any realistic hope of making an instant return to the postseason.
Their chances of long-term postseason ambitions have probably improved depending on how well this current group adjusts to different roles. And the Carolina Panthers are set to have far more financial resources available in 2021 to make additional improvements to the roster.
New head coach Matt Rhule will be learning as he goes about what it takes to be a successful head coach after arriving from Baylor earlier this year. Carolina’s coaching staff has next to no experience in the NFL. And this is another eye-catching element that could go a long way to determine just how they are going to fare.
It is a daunting task that awaits them on the Panthers’ 2020 schedule. But the challenge is something every player that manages to make the 53-man roster should relish.
There will be plenty of twists and turns along the way. And how this group responds to challenges during the campaign is going to tell Rhule plenty about what players he should be keeping around through this expected period of transition.
We took an in-depth look at the Panthers’ chances during the 2020 season with some week-by-week predictions.
Carolina Panthers: Week 1 vs Las Vegas Raiders – WIN
The Carolina Panthers have a good chance to get their 2020 season off to winning start at home to the Las Vegas Raiders. Although head coach Jon Gruden has a talented young roster to work with. This might be the best opportunity to catch them cold.
Obviously, the Panthers will need everything to fall into place right away. But with the potential of no fans in the stands. It might also negate the home-field advantage somewhat.
Carolina Panthers: Week 2 @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers – LOSS
Big things are expected of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020. They have brought in Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski. And anything less than a serious run at a Super Bowl will be a disappointment.
The Panthers have a relatively unproven secondary that may go through their fair share of struggles early on. This is something that Tampa’s high-powered offense can take advantage of.
Carolina Panthers: Week 3 @ Los Angeles Chargers – LOSS
Philip Rivers and the Los Angeles Chargers went their separate ways this offseason, And it remains to be seen whether No. 7 overall pick Justin Herbert will be ready to come in and start from day one.
Regardless of who ends up under center. The Chargers’ offense represents a matchup nightmare for the Carolina Panthers’ secondary. And this will also be a revenge game for perennial Pro Bowl guard Trai Turner after he was traded by the organization in exchange for veteran left tackle Russell Okung.
Carolina Panthers: Week 4 vs Arizona Cardinals – WIN
The Carolina Panthers will need to take full advantage of their home games in 2020. Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals harbor postseason ambitions that will be strengthened by the acquisition of All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.
Their defense has some good pieces. But there is nothing to suggest that Carolina’s prominent offensive weapons cannot lead them to victory here.
Carolina Panthers: Week 5 @ Atlanta Falcons – LOSS
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan might believe he is the best quarterback in the NFL. But there is plenty of evidence to the contrary.
This is a pivotal campaign for the player and the team. The Carolina Panthers might find it difficult to stop the likes of Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley, especially in a dome environment.
Carolina Panthers: Week 6 vs Chicago Bears – WIN
The Chicago Bears have plenty of questions to answer regarding their quarterback position. This is something that could allow the Carolina Panthers’ talented young front seven to make a real difference in this contest.
They do have an imposing defense that has a proven track record of shutting down even the best offenses across the league. But this is another game on the schedule that will be earmarked as a possible win.
Carolina Panthers: Week 7 @ New Orleans Saints – LOSS
Everything is in place for the New Orleans Saints to make another run at the Vince Lombardi Trophy in Drew Brees’ final season under center. They have a loaded roster across the board, and it would be a huge surprise if they suffered another early postseason defeat.
This represents one of the toughest games on the schedule for the Carolina Panthers. It would be a significant upset if they could win this one.
Carolina Panthers: Week 8 vs Atlanta Falcons – WIN
There is a pretty quick turnaround to their return matchup with the Atlanta Falcons. How the Carolina Panthers adjust from their first encounter will go a long way to determining their fortunes in this particular clash.
Expectations will be much higher at this point. And their new-look roster should have acclimatized to each other by this stage of the season.
Carolina Panthers: Week 9 @ Kansas City Chiefs – LOSS
This is unquestionably the most daunting game for the Carolina Panthers in 2020. The Kansas City Chiefs won the Super Bowl in 2019. And they are expected to make a real push for back-to-back titles.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes is the new face of the NFL after leading his die to glory last season. They have some outstanding offensive weapons and a defense that improved dramatically as the campaign wore on.
Carolina Panthers: Week 10 vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers – LOSS
Things might not go according to plan in their second encounter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They should have plenty to play for by this point. And the Carolina Panthers will probably be in limbo in which direction their campaign is going in.
Another element to consider is Carolina’s suspect offensive line. This could see the likes of Shaquil Barrett having a field day against inferior opposition.
Carolina Panthers: Week 11 vs Detroit Lions – WIN
The Detroit Lions started well in 2019 before tailing off dramatically. A big improvement will be needed this time around otherwise head coach Matt Patricia could find himself looking for alternative employment next spring.
They do have some nice piece on offense. But their defense looks shaky and no match for the Carolina Panthers offense on paper.
Carolina Panthers: Week 12 @ Minnesota Vikings – LOSS
There is no doubt that the Carolina Panthers will be achy and weary by this point. The week 13 bye will be another hurdle they will have to overcome. And this is far from the ideal time to be facing a team like the Minnesota Vikings.
The team has the scope to win the NFC North title and make a postseason run despite a number of changes to their roster. Quarterback Kirk Cousins is coming off a career year, they have a stud running back in Dalvin Cook, and a defense that is littered with playmakers.
Carolina Panthers: Week 14 vs Denver Broncos – LOSS
The Carolina Panthers come out of their bye week with a difficult-looking matchup at home to the Denver Broncos. Former defensive coordinator Vic Fangio will be looking for his team to make the playoffs in 2020. And they have the tools on both sides of the ball to make it happen.
Quarterback Drew Lock has plenty of expectations on his shoulders, as does rookie wide receiver Jerry Jeudy. Their defense has some incredible potential with a front seven that could cause some substantial problems for the Panthers.
Carolina Panthers: Week 15 @ Green Bay Packers – LOSS
The Green Bay Packer reached the NFC Championship game in 2019. But the window of opportunity for them is clearly closing under Aaron Rodgers. They didn’t exactly give him much additional help in the way of weapons this offseason. So it remains to be seen whether they can keep the Minnesota Vikings at bay next time around.
A cold game in Lambeau will be the last thing that the Carolina Panthers will need by this point. And it seems unlikely they can get anything out of this particular game.
Carolina Panthers: Week 16 @ Washington Redskins – WIN
There might not be a lot riding on this game for either team. But plenty of personal pride will be at stake.
This will be especially evident with former Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera, who took over with the Washington Redskins after he was fired following a series of disappointments.
Washington isn’t expected to pull up any trees in 2020. And the Panthers should definitely be looking at this game as a rare winnable clash on the road.
Carolina Panthers: Week 17 vs New Orleans Saints – WIN
Much will depend on whether the New Orleans Saints will have wrapped up the NFC South title and their playoff seeding by this point. But in all likelihood, they will be resting most if not all their starting options for this encounter.
This will work in the favor of the Carolina Panthers as they look to close out their campaign with two consecutive victories as they enter another pivotal 2021 offseason on a high.
Carolina Panthers 2020 Record: 7-9
If the Carolina Panthers could emerge from the 2020 season with a 7-9 record, it would be a source of great encouragement. That will be easier said than done. But they have plenty of things going for them if certain problem positions such as cornerback and the offensive line can hold their own.
This would also show free agents that the team is heading in the right direction under Matt Rhule. And with more financial resources at Carolina’s disposal next spring, this has the potential to increase the speed of their rebuild.
Plenty could and probably will go wrong during the season. But there is definite potential to surprise people even though the Panthers find themselves in a tough division.