How could the Carolina Panthers fare in 2022 after the organization secured the services of quarterback Baker Mayfield from the Cleveland Browns?
The Carolina Panthers made their play at the quarterback position after months of speculation and searching. Baker Mayfield officially joined the team this week and although he represents an immediate upgrade on Sam Darnold, there’s just no telling how things will go in 2022.
Mayfield is a maverick who was cast aside by the Cleveland Browns despite playing last season with a torn labrum. This was ill-advised in hindsight, but the signal-caller has an instant shot at redemption after the Panthers finally got their man.
This represents another significant gamble from the Panthers and head coach Matt Rhule. If it all goes wrong, then Carolina will likely pull the plug on this particular experiment and that is why moving forward with Darnold was not an option.
With this in mind, we made a game-by-game prediction for the Panthers with Mayfield under center in 2022.
Week 1
Carolina Panthers vs. Cleveland Browns
Fate is a weird and wonderful thing.
As it happens, Baker Mayfield’s first game for the Carolina Panthers will be against the team that made him surplus to requirements once they acquired Deshaun Watson to the Houston Texans. An immediate chance to hit the ground running and make a massive statement.
Obviously, nobody will know more about how to prevent Mayfield from doing his thing than the Cleveland Browns coaching staff. But the player might also have a trick or two up his sleeve that could sway things in the Panthers’ favor.
Prediction: Win (1-0)
It looks like Watson will be suspended from the contest due to sexual misconduct. The added motivation for Mayfield could also swing the tide in pursuit of an opening day triumph.
Carolina Panthers at New York Giants
The Carolina Panthers look to build on a positive opening at the New York Giants in Week 2. This is probably a good time to make the trip to MetLife Stadium before new head coach Brian Daboll gets the chance to embed his ethos fully onto the roster in a competitive setting.
This is also a revenge game of sorts for Carolina’s offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo, who was fired as head coach of the Giants in 2017. The respected figure will be looking to get one over on the team where it ended sourly and they might have a quarterback to help him out in Baker Mayfield.
Sam Darnold’s performance against the Giants last season in an inept loss was unacceptable and a microcosm of how things transpired for the USC product overall. Mayfield could be the wildcard the Panthers need to enjoy better fortunes this time around.
The Giants have Saquon Barkey back and have done everything in their power to surround quarterback Daniel Jones with everything he needs to turn around his career. Whether it’s enough remains to be seen, but it won’t take long to figure out one way or another.
Prediction: Win (2-0)
This would be another huge step in the right direction. A win on the road would also instill further confidence in the team and what they could potentially achieve next season.
Carolina Panthers vs. New Orleans Saints
Baker Mayfield’s first chance of divisional action with the Carolina Panthers is against the New Orleans Saints in Week 3. At least from the outside looking in, this represents another good opportunity to generate early momentum for the quarterback on his road to redemption.
The Saints entered free agency around $80 million over the cap. But as they’ve proven in recent years, this can be manipulated in a positive fashion and something that was evident once again this spring.
Although they no longer have Sean Payton as head coach, this is still a roster loaded with talent. The Saints’ defense will pose a significant threat to Mayfield and the Panthers, who will need to be at the top of their game to emerge victoriously from this one.
Carolina beat the Saints on home soil last season, so there is hope the same can be accomplished in 2022. Everything needs to go right, but being at Bank of America Stadium should assist their cause an untold amount.
Prediction: Win (3-0)
This will be a close-fought contest. But if Mayfield can come through better in the clutch than Teddy Bridgewater and Sam Darnold managed, then it could see them come away with their third victory in succession.
Carolina Panthers vs. Arizona Cardinals
A meeting of former Oklahoma legends and former No. 1 overall selections takes place in Week 4 when the Arizona Cardinals visit Bank of America Stadium. Kyler Murray is on the lookout for a new deal and has the chance to leave his team on a playoff run providing they can overcome the loss of stud wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins for the first few games of the campaign.
This is another scenario where the Carolina Panthers could benefit from a notable absence. Although writing the Cardinals off entirely even without Hopkins would be foolish.
Baker Mayfield would be leading the Panthers on a three-game unbeaten run if these predictions come true. Something that should come with a fantastic atmosphere for the team to feed off.
For all Mayfield’s faults, and he has some, the signal-caller knows how to pick teams up off the floor and get them all on the same page. Arizona’s defense will be a formidable test to overcome, but having Christian McCaffrey also in the backfield is another major asset for the quarterback to call upon.
Prediction: Win (4-0)
Obviously, we still need to know whether or not Matt Rhule can come through in the clutch and make the right decisions from the sidelines. If he doesn’t get in Carolina’s way, then there’s every chance that can repeat their success against the Cardinals we saw in Week 10.
Carolina Panthers vs. San Francisco 49ers
The in-form Carolina Panthers have another fine opportunity to continue making waves when they host the San Francisco 49ers in Week 5. This is a period of significant change for Kyle Shanahan’s men, who are set to move forward with Trey Lance as their long-term quarterback after giving up a significant amount of draft capital to bring him to the franchise in 2021.
Now that Lance has had a full season to learn the ropes, much more is anticipated this time around despite the presence of veteran Jimmy Garoppolo, who is expected to be traded or released before the campaign.
This is something the Panthers could take advantage of. Especially if they begin the season in this manner.
Lance will be a danger and the Niners have some phenomenal talent on both sides of the ball to assist. But there is also a cloud hanging over Deebo Samuel right now after an offseason trade request to also factor into the equation.
Prediction: Win (5-0)
If the Panthers went 5-0 to open the season, it would be beyond anyone’s wildest imaginations. Things get much together after this, but putting early victories in the column is only going to help their cause.
Carolina Panthers at Los Angeles Rams
This would become must-watch television if the Carolina Panthers went to the defending Super Bowl champions unbeaten. Whether this is enough momentum to topple the Los Angeles Rams is another matter.
Having a fearless quarterback that is not scared of his own shadow is something the Panthers haven’t had since Cam Newton was at his peak. Baker Mayfield might not be the most talented signal-caller in the league, but he will never back down.
Coming up against a Rams roster that remains filled with talent is the acid test. They are absolutely loaded from top-to-bottom and if the Panthers could even stay in the game for long periods, it would be an achievement considering where both are right now.
Mayfield will fight with everything he’s got. But even this might be a test too far when it’s all said and done.
Prediction: Lose (5-1)
Nobody will lose too much sleep if the Panthers don’t come away from SoFi Stadium with anything to show for their efforts. Both teams are on completely different paths, so hope for the best and expect the worst in this one.
Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Another stern test arrives for the Carolina Panthers in Week 7 when Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers come calling. This looked like a winnable game when the legendary quarterback briefly retired, but he swiftly went back on his decision and this represents a problem for everyone in the NFC.
The Panthers have endured real turmoil going up against Brady since his arrival in Tampa Bay. He still looks like there is a lot more to give despite his advancing years and there is more than enough talent on the Bucs to mount another Super Bowl challenge in 2022.
This will be a good measuring stick for the Panthers if nothing else. It will also tell us plenty about Baker Mayfield’s character to galvanize this group in pursuit of avoiding consecutive losses.
There is plenty of divisional pride at stake in this one. Although the Panthers are not expected to be anywhere close to the Bucs, they have enough to give them a run for their money if everyone performs to the level expected.
Prediction: Lose (5-2)
Carolina would make a significant statement if they could get the better of Brady and Tampa Bay at this stage of the campaign. But it remains a long shot given the strength of opposition.
Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons
This will be a big game for the Carolina Panthers if they do end up losing at the Los Angeles Rams and against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Something that obviously raises the stakes for Baker Mayfield to prevent the complications that emerged within the organization with Sam Darnold under center in 2021.
It does look like Mayfield has more going for him mentally than Darnold. His resolve never wavers and this often has a ripple effect across the roster to further increase the signal-caller’s overall influence.
The Atlanta Falcons are currently going through some big-time changes after trading Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts. They do possess some exciting young talent, but nobody is expecting them to make waves and many in the media project them to have the No. 1 overall selection in 2023.
Considering where the Panthers are from a roster standpoint now Mayfield is on board, they look like the superior team providing Matt Rhule can also improve his ability to coach effectively in-game.
Prediction: Win (6-2)
This represents a solid chance for the Panthers to get back on track. One that they cannot afford to waste midway through the campaign.
Carolina Panthers at Cincinnati Bengals
Baker Mayfield is no stranger to the Cincinnati Bengals having come up against them plenty during his stint in the AFC North. But this is a far different team from years past following a superb offseason of recruitment after coming within touching distance of a shock Super Bowl triumph.
The Bengals were nothing short of sensational in the postseason. Had it not been for an unproductive offensive line, then they might have won it all.
This was recognized by the front office, too. They invested heavily in the big guys in front of quarterback Joe Burrow, which could make a massive difference as they look to go one better next time around.
The Carolina Panthers will be heavy underdogs for this particular contest. But having no expectations might actually be a good thing in the face of such stern opposition who are riding on the crest of a wave.
Prediction: Lose (6-3)
It might provide Mayfield and his teammates with enough freedom to stay competitive against a legitimate Super Bowl challenger. However, there is just too much firepower across the board on the Bengals to suggest that Carolina is capable of pulling off a substantial upset on their travels.
Carolina Panthers vs. Atlanta Falcons
A quick turnaround sees the Carolina Panthers welcome the Atlanta Falcons for their only primetime game of the 2022 season on Thursday Night Football. The pitfalls behind only a few days’ preparations are evident, with Christian McCaffrey and Jaycee Horn both going down with significant injuries during the previous campaign at the Houston Texans.
Hopefully, everyone will be fit and firing for this divisional game. And the Panthers would be buoyed by their recent victory at the Falcons in this scenario.
This is the time of year when Baker Mayfield should be fully immersed in Ben McAdoo’s complex scheme and chemistry is there with his primary weapons. It will also be a chance for the signal-caller to showcase that he is officially back with the spotlight on him.
As stated previously, the Falcons have some young pieces like Kyle Pitts and A.J. Terrell who can alter the course of any contest. The Panthers cannot afford to take them lightly by any stretch and keeping them focused is another task Mayfield must accomplish.
Prediction: Win (7-3)
This looks like one of the more winnable games on the team’s schedule. Anything less would be a failure at the worst possible time.
Carolina Panthers at Baltimore Ravens
Traveling to the Baltimore Ravens is never an exciting experience. It’s a far from welcoming environment for any road team and something Baker Mayfield has experienced a lot during his four-year career residing in the AFC North before joining the Carolina Panthers.
The Ravens have another good chance of making the postseason despite their lack of true depth at the wide receiver position. Much will obviously depend on quarterback Lamar Jackson in a contract year, but the former NFL MVP has already proven that he can pick this team up on his back and lead them to glory.
Mayfield also has a postseason victory to his name, even if things didn’t go according to the script in 2021 due to inconsistencies and a shoulder problem he unwisely played through.
Carolina will need to be physical and up for what appears to be a huge test of resolve. Just what the weather will be like up north at this time of year is another potential stumbling block.
Prediction: Lose (7-4)
Coming out on the wrong end of the result in Baltimore would not be a surprise. But anything could happen if Jackson is missing through injury or the Panthers get off to a hot start.
Carolina Panthers vs. Denver Broncos
The Carolina Panthers are rapidly approaching the business end of the season and a long slog before their Week 13 bye comes to a close with a tricky-looking game against the Denver Broncos. A team who are fancied to do well next season.
Denver swung for the fences this offseason by trading for Russell Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks. This immediately turns them from also-rans into legitimate postseason challengers, although getting out of the AFC West is going to be an immensely difficult proposition based on the strength of others.
Wilson’s time in Seattle and with head coach Pete Carroll had run its course. In a way, he is also looking to prove some doubters wrong, even if it is not to the extent of Baker Mayfield’s current predicament.
Only time will tell as to who is fit for this contest or not. Carolina bodies will be hurting after so much activity and little respite, which only decreases their chances of securing what would be a morale-boosting win before an extended period of rest.
Prediction: Lose (7-5)
Losing in Denver would put the Panthers at 7-5 heading into their bye week with plenty to play for down the stretch. And meaningful football after Thanksgiving has been seldom seen in Carolina since the mid-2010s.
Carolina Panthers at Seattle Seahawks
Coming off the bye week with a trip to the Seattle Seahawks would have been a daunting proposition once upon a time. Their fanbase is among the league’s loudest, conditions can alter in the blink of an eye, and their roster was full of game-changing individuals capable of putting anybody to the sword when in the mood.
That might not be the case in 2022.
The Seahawks traded Russell Wilson away and also released All-Decade linebacker Bobby Wagner. A major sign that Seattle is embarking on a pretty significant rebuild and they might have themselves the No. 1 overall selection next year if Pete Carroll actually moves forward with Geno Smith and Drew Lock as his preferred options under center.
Many expected Baker Mayfield to join the Seahawks this offseason without a deal coming to light. So the quarterback will be keen to show Carroll and those in attendance exactly what they have been missing.
Prediction: Win (8-5)
This is arguably their most winnable road game of the season. Something they have to take advantage of before things get difficult in the coming weeks.
Carolina Panthers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Baker Mayfield’s most memorable outing for the Cleveland Browns was leading them to a playoff win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2020. A memory that the Carolina Panthers will hope brings around a positive performance against a team going through some changes following the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger.
The Steelers are always going to be a handful so long as Mike Tomlin remains head coach. Just who is playing quarterback for them at this stage of the season remains to be seen, with Mitchell Trubisky and first-round pick Kenny Pickett set to compete for the job in training camp.
This is Carolina’s penultimate home game of the season. A win against the Steelers would potentially be a significant morale boost, but the run defense has to make their presence felt going up against one of the brightest young stars in the business, Najee Harris.
Mayfield and the Steelers have history. So there could also be plenty of bad blood, too.
Prediction: Lose (8-6)
One could argue that Carolina’s roster looks stronger than Pittsburgh’s overall. But in a game of fine margins such as this, Tomlin has the clear, undisputed edge over Matt Rhule until the former Baylor man proves otherwise.
Carolina Panthers vs. Detroit Lions
The home finale comes on Christmas Eve this year and sees the Carolina Panthers clash with the Detroit Lions, who could become a surprise package in Year 2 of Dan Campbell’s reign. Jared Goff’s production remains a serious concern under center, but there was plenty of fight within the organization in 2021 despite results not being quite where they needed to be.
If prominent young players make the necessary strides and No. 2 overall selection Aidan Hutchinson makes an immediate impact, this is a team to watch. A threat that Baker Mayfield and the Panthers must take seriously in pursuit of sending fans home with plenty of festive cheer.
Again, the Panthers have more than enough to get the job done on paper. They also have a quarterback with experience of being involved in meaningful games such as this later in the campaign.
Is that enough? Well, it needs to be considering how tough the final two games of 2022 are for Matt Rhule’s men.
Prediction: Win (9-6)
Carolina getting nine wins with just two games to go is the stuff of dreams. Something that might be enough to attain a wildcard berth within an NFC conference that isn’t exactly littered with contenders.
Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Ending the season with two road games against NFC South rivals is not exactly the best situation for the Carolina Panthers after such a grueling campaign. But it will be up to everyone across the organization to pull together for one last push before potentially participating in the playoffs.
That might seem like a stretch for a team that’s currently among the bottom-feeders in any power rankings you see in the national media. However, the introduction of Baker Mayfield under center provides hope they could emerge as a surprise package if the former No.1 overall selection can get back to the form we saw in 2020.
Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won’t be willing to roll over by any stretch. They’ll likely want to build positive momentum before their own playoff challenge as the legendary signal-caller looks to go out on the biggest of highs with yet another Super Bowl, so the task will be incredibly steep.
If the Panthers play with confidence, anything is possible. But a lack of experience in this sort of situation could prove to be their undoing.
Prediction: Lose (9-7)
With the Bucs also expected to have Chris Godwin back at this stage of the season, it only makes things more difficult for the Panthers.
Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints
It all comes down to this.
The Carolina Panthers conclude their 2022 season with a familiar visit to the New Orleans Saints, who could also be fighting for a playoff spot if their top stars stay healthy and quarterback Jameis Winston finally puts a consistent run of games together.
This is also why the Panthers brought Baker Mayfield on board to assume responsibilities under center – to come through in big moments and inspire those around him to bigger and better things.
New Orleans will be rowdy and hostile in equal measure. Especially if they need a win to get over the hump and back into the playoffs.
Mayfield and the Panthers will be fully aware of this and the complications it might bring. So this will be the biggest sign yet about whether or not Carolina is capable of making further noise when the knockout stages begin.
Prediction: Lose (9-8)
Finishing 9-8 would be seen as real progress by the Panthers after three-straight seasons with only five wins to celebrate. This might save Matt Rhule’s job and also provide Mayfield with a new deal, the franchise tag, or even a better offer from elsewhere.
There is a scenario where things go much worse than this. But it’s not going to be boring that’s for sure.