How will the struggling Carolina Panthers fare in their next crucial five games after opening the 2022 season with a 1-3 record?
The doom and gloom returned to the Carolina Panthers in Week 4 after another demoralizing defeat to the Arizona Cardinals, a team they’ve enjoyed a tremendous amount of success against for almost a decade.
An inept offensive performance coupled with a tiring defense down the stretch once again became the catalyst behind their demise. This saw pressure increase further on head coach Matt Rhule and his hopes of getting this organization back to some sort of relevancy.
Patience is wearing extremely thin within the fanbase, who made their feelings clear from the stands at Bank of America Stadium. The next few weeks are of critical importance for Rhule, who is already facing significant questions about his long-term future after Carolina’s tenth defeat in their last 11 contests.
With this in mind, we predicted how things might go for the Panthers over their next five fixtures heading into the midseason point.
Week 5
Carolina Panthers vs. San Francisco 49ers
If the Carolina Panthers were hoping for some respite in Week 5 – the last of a three-game home stretch – they are out of luck. The San Francisco 49ers represent a significant test despite losing quarterback Trey Lance for the season, with Kyle Shanahan’s men boasting an elite defense and some gifted offensive playmakers capable of changing any contest.
Considering how poorly things are going for Ben McAdoo and Baker Mayfield, it’s hard to predict a drastically positive turnaround. Especially against a defensive unit that’s ranked No. 1 in most statistical categories through four games.
Prediction: Loss (1-4)
This also looks to be a bad matchup in terms of Shanahan’s scheme, which is run-heavy with players such as Deebo Samuel making things happen in the passing game. So don’t be surprised if the Panthers fall to another disappointing defeat on home soil.
Carolina Panthers at LA Rams
After so many home games to begin the season, things are about to get tougher for the Carolina Panthers. A daunting prospect at the best of times, but especially so right now considering how perilous things look for head coach Matt Rhule and his roster.
The Los Angeles Rams might not have started the season as many anticipated. But the defending Super Bowl champions are a match for anyone on their day and this is a monumental ask for the Panthers given the team’s current form.
Carolina’s defense needs to be at the top of its game. Matthew Stafford already has six interceptions to his name this season, so if the likes of Brian Burns can disrupt him enough there might be an opportunity or two for some turnovers.
Containing Aaron Donald and the Rams’ defense could be a task too great. The defensive tackle is widely regarded as the league’s best overall player, so Carolina’s improving offensive line interior must be ready for anything to provide windows for Baker Mayfield or Christian McCaffrey to do damage.
Prediction: Loss (1-5)
The Panthers won’t be fancied in this one, to put it mildly. Although this might give them an added sense of freedom, at 1-4 heading into the game in this scenario, there will still be an unbelievable amount of pressure on their shoulders.
Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It’s hard to gauge just how toxic the atmosphere would be at Bank of America Stadium when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers visit in Week 7 if the Carolina Panthers are 1-5 by this point. Fans are already voting with their feet by not attending games and those with the willpower to sit through such a poor product have begun making their feelings more than clear towards the sidelines.
Matt Rhule can talk about the process and the brand. But supporters are seeing through this and when results aren’t happening when it counts, the situation is becoming uglier with every passing week.
Trying to end a dismal run against Tom Brady is not exactly the easiest proposition. The legendary quarterback has had Rhule’s number since leaving the New England Patriots and even though the Bucs are on a two-game losing streak currently, that might not be the case by the time they descend on Charlotte.
Any team led by Brady should be taken seriously. He’s not getting any younger and this might be his final season before stepping away entirely, but the Bucs have more than enough to pile further misery on Rhule when it’s all said and done.
Prediction: Loss (1-6)
If the Panthers’ results go this way in the coming weeks, it would leave them staring down the barrel of one of their worst starts in franchise history. It would also take Rhule’s record over his last 14 games to a pathetic 1-13, but whether that would be enough for team owner David Tepper to pull the plug is debatable.
Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons
This was a game that the Carolina Panthers probably earmarked as one they had a good chance of winning. Now, not so much.
Nobody expected the Atlanta Falcons to cause great shakes in 2022 after trading quarterback Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts. However, they already have two wins to their name this season, and had it not been for some bad luck, their record might look even better than that.
One thing that’s separating Atlanta from the Panthers right now is organization and fight. Carolina’s roster is undeniably better on paper, but there appears to be a real togetherness within the Falcons that is spurring them to perform much better than anticipated.
Make no mistake, Carolina can win this game. But in the midst of such a poor run of form, it’s extremely hard to say with any confidence unless the defense gives journeyman quarterback Marcus Mariota problems and Cordarrelle Patterson’s absence is sorely felt as anticipated.
Prediction: Win (2-6)
Carolina’s bad run has to end at some point, right? Much will depend on whether the offense finally starts clicking and if confidence eventually goes past the point of no return, but getting one over on the Falcons is well within this team’s capabilities providing some silly mistakes are ironed out in the not-too-distant future.
Carolina Panthers at Cincinnati Bengals
This is where it gets really tricky. The Carolina Panthers have a brutal run of games heading into their Week 13 bye, which begins with a trek to take on the defending AFC-champion Cincinnati Bengals.
Things didn’t go according to plan over the Bengals’ opening two games. But it’s been much better since quarterback Joe Burrow became comfortable behind an offensive line that received some significant investment this offseason.
His weapons in the passing game are elite. Ja’Marr Chase is dynamic and the emergence of former Clemson star Tee Higgins adds another layer that the Panthers must take seriously to stand any chance of success.
Prediction: Loss (2-7)
Going on the road to anyone in the AFC North is a challenge. And Cincinnatti’s underrated defense will look to get the better of Baker Mayfield – a player they saw plenty of during his time on the Cleveland Browns.
Carolina Panthers record after Week 9: 2-7
Considering this was the year when everything was supposed to come together for Matt Rhule and the Panthers, going 2-7 over their opening nine games would be nothing short of disastrous. Something that would plunge confidence to an all-time low for good measure.
Just what the tipping point will be for team owner David Tepper remains a mystery. Everyone’s patience has its limits, but the billionaire won’t want to lose face by admitting a very costly first hire since purchasing the organization from Jerry Richardson.
Fans deserve better. And in this scenario, a fresh start is the only solution at some stage.