4 bold predictions for the Carolina Panthers after 2022 bye week

Carolina Panthers finish with eight wins

After a 1-4 start put pay to the Matt Rhule era once and for all, the improvements under Steve Wilks leave reasons for encouragement. A chance to hone certain areas and adjust specific game plans during the bye week could make a huge difference and might just convince David Tepper to remove the interim tag when the time comes.

The Carolina Panthers have the seventh-easiest remaining schedule according to Pro Football Focus. They only face one team with a winning record currently, so capitalizing on this is absolutely essential in the pursuit of salvaging some semblance of respectability from the 2022 campaign.

It’s also worth remembering that the NFC South is still up for grabs. A strange notion for the Panthers after a turbulent season, but one that can provide additional motivation when push comes to shove.

Carolina can set the tone with a morale-boosting win at the Seattle Seahawks in Week 14. If they achieve this difficult feat, then there’s no telling what this group could be capable of.

This is bold, but eight wins would be a significant shot in the arm for Carolina after three-straight seasons with five victories. It would also almost certainly rubber-stamp Wilks’ claims of becoming the long-term head coach.

Not giving Wilks a shot in this scenario would be incredibly harsh. Even though Tepper is likely to cast his net far and wide to find the right guy.