Here is a week by week prediction update for the Carolina Panthers following a sensational start that sees them at 3-2 through five weeks.
Things couldn’t be going much better for the Carolina Panthers. The preseason doom and gloom that was expected of this new-look roster and a coaching staff devoid of NFL coaching experience look like a distant memory at this juncture. And they can now look forward to what could be a campaign than sees them right in the thick of things when push comes to shove.
This alone is a sensational achievement considering the turmoil and disruption the new head coach Matt Rhule has endured since taking over at the helm. They have all bought into his way of thinking and this has seen the Panthers roll off three straight victories, including their triumph at the Atlanta Falcons that cost Dan Quinn his job.
It was a little harder than it ought to have been. But it is important to keep in perspective that Carolina is still learning. They are young, hungry, and dynamic. But don’t have much in the way of experience, which is actually working in their favor.
The Panthers are quickly emerging as the NFL’s surprise package. But what sort of final record could they achieve by the end of the 2020 campaign?
Week 6: Carolina Panthers vs. Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears have been one of the NFL’s biggest surprises during the season so far. They are currently sitting at 4-1 despite benching beleaguered quarterback Mitchell Trubisky in favor of Nick Foles, which is down in no small part to their defense getting back to the level of old.
This game represents a problem for the Panthers. But if they can get some points on the board, their improving does stand a chance of getting some pressure on Foles and possibly coming away with a victory to further boost their chances of success on home soil.
Prediction: Win
Week 7: Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints
Things might not have gotten off to the sort of start expected of the Saints. However, the Carolina Panthers would do very well to get anything out of this one.
Both teams had differing aspirations at the start of the campaign and although this has altered slightly from Carolina’s perspective after an encouraging start, things might just be clicking into place for Sean Payton’s men after a rocky opening to proceedings.
The Panthers have the scope to be competitive at the very least. But whether this is enough to come away with a win is another matter entirely.
Prediction: Loss
Week 8: Carolina Panthers vs. Atlanta Falcons
This is a quick turnaround from the Week 5 game that went the way of the visiting team. But with the Panthers being at home, it still represents a solid opportunity to get another win on the board.
Carolina’s fortunes for the remainder of the campaign will ultimately depend on how things go in games such as this. And there is nothing to suggest they are not more than capable of chalking one up.
Prediction: Win
Week 9: Carolina Panthers at Kansas City Chiefs
This is a daunting task for the Panthers, whichever way one looks at it. The Chiefs appear like they mean business in their bid for back-to-back Super Bowl titles and there doesn’t appear to be a weak link on their roster.
Stopping them from scoring is nearly impossible with Patrick Mahomes under center. And their defense is another impressive factor to their overall strength that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Prediction: Loss
Week 10: Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers have been a little hit and miss so far this season, but whether this will pick up by the time they play the Carolina Panthers in Week 10 remains to be seen.
Chris Godwin will probably be firing on all cylinders by this point. However, there do appear to be some kinks in Tom Brady‘s armor and Carolina was competitive at the Bucs in Week 2 after getting off to a slow start.
There could be plenty at stake in this one and Tampa’s experience might just get them over the line in a tight contest.
Prediction: Loss
Week 11: Carolina Panthers vs. Detroit Lions
If the Lions were hoping to be improved in 2020, they will have to show more than what has transpired over the first few weeks. If things don’t start trending on an upward curve, then it might result in Detroit cutting ties with head coach Matt Patricia.
This is an outstanding opportunity for the Panthers to get a victory, which would be the catalyst for a strong end to the campaign providing they aren’t too banged up by this point.
Prediction: Win
Week 12: Carolina Panthers at Minnesota Vikings
The chances of the Minnesota Vikings having anything to play for by this point are slim. Mike Zimmer’s men have found life difficult at the start of the campaign following a host of veteran departures in free agency and although they still boast plenty of talent, things haven’t exactly gone according to plan.
It remains to be seen whether Carolina is in a similar position or not, but getting a win in Minnesota might not be as far fetched now as it once was.
Prediction: Win
Week 13: BYE
Week 14: Carolina Panthers vs. Denver Broncos
The Panthers have a good opportunity to come off their by week fresh and with success. Denver hasn’t exactly set the world alight this season despite being a candidate for one of the NFL’s surprise packages at the start of the campaign.
If Carolina wants to harbor any ambitions of finishing the season strongly ahead of another pivotal preparation period next year, then this is a game they need to get, to put it mildly.
Prediction: Win
Week 15: Carolina Panthers at Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are a legitimate Super Bowl contender through the first five weeks of the season. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks back to his best and their defense has plenty of notable playmakers who can make things happen at the drop of a hat.
Carolina’s trouble stopping the run so far would represent a problem against Aaron Jones. And the weather at Lambeau Field at this time of year is another factor that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Prediction: Loss
Week 16: Carolina Panthers at Washington Football Team
The Panthers get the chance to put one over on their former head coach Ron Rivera. Ex-quarterback Kyle Allen might also be under center after taking over in Week 5. But there appears little hope for Washington following their less than stellar start to the campaign.
This is something that Carolina might be able to take advantage of. And it’s not like there are many players on the roster left who played for Rivera following a host of personnel changes.
Prediction: Win
Week 17: Carolina Panthers vs. New Orleans Saints
It’s hard to gauge just how this one might go. The Saints could still have something to play for, which would mean their starters would be utilized. And that could represent a problem for the Panthers.
With seven playoff places up for grabs, there might just be something for Carolina to aim for here and they would not want to go out on a low note. But we’ll take Teddy Bridgewater to get one over on his old team in the final regular-season game of 2020.
Prediction: Win
The verdict: 10-6
Yes, it is officially time to start dreaming.
There is plenty fo work still to be done in order to get to this sort of record, but considering how things are unfolding in Carolina, who’s to say it isn’t possible.
They didn’t have a preseason to generate chemistry, which is something the Panthers are doing on the fly. Everything hasn’t clicked into place yet. But when it does, this young and dynamic group is going to be a force to be reckoned with.