Dave Canales is about to embark on his first season as an NFL head coach with the Carolina Panthers. It promises to be a daunting test of his credentials with just one year of play-calling experience.
One couldn't accuse the progressive figure of shirking a challenge. He took on what many believe is a poisoned chalice thanks to the erratic, impulsive ownership of David Tepper. Instead of waiting another year when a better opportunity could have emerged, the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator saw this as a project worth being part of.
Canales had a big job on his hands this offseason. There was an aligned vision at long last with general manager Dan Morgan. They turned over a large part of the roster and made everyone earn their spots. It was tough going for most, but the renewed positivity in the building was notable right from the outset.
For all the positivity and purpose emanating from the Panthers, it will count for nothing if they cannot make a better go of things during the regular season. The bar couldn't be much lower for improvements after Carolina's two-win campaign in 2023. That said, Canales harbors bigger ambitions as he looks for his team to become one of the league's surprise packages this time around.
With this in mind, we took a look at how things might unfold in our final Panthers game-by-game predictions in 2024.
Carolina Panthers final game-by-game predictions for the 2024 season
Carolina Panthers at Saints - Week 1
The Carolina Panthers begin their regular-season engagements by facing a familiar foe. Dave Canales takes his squad to the New Orleans Saints for a difficult road fixture. This is also a typically hostile environment for visiting teams in the Caesars Superdome.
Carolina is an unknown quantity with many new faces to mesh. Things came together gradually throughout the offseason, but expect to see some timing issues emerge when the pace quickens and the margins get slimmer in a competitive setting.
The Saints once again juggled their salary cap to remain competitive in 2024. They have talent on both sides of the football. However, their fate lies almost solely in the hands of veteran quarterback Derek Carr heading into a crossroads campaign for the signal-caller.
Prediction: Loss (0-1)
It's hard to predict how the Panthers are going to perform in their opening contest. Continuity is something working in New Orleans' favor. At the same time, don't be surprised if Carolina keeps this closer than many expect if the defense finds ways to make Carr uncomfortable.
Carolina Panthers vs. Chargers - Week 2
A first home game of the campaign sees the Panthers lock horns with the Los Angeles Chargers. The AFC West outfit have big plans for progression under accomplished head coach Jim Harbaugh, who was reportedly interested in the Carolina vacancy but wasn't considered by team owner David Tepper.
Harbaugh's teams are tough to beat. They are physical and will make you earn every yard. This is going to be a stiff challenge for the Panthers. Nothing but maximum effort will do versus the Chargers, who'll be well-prepared and ready for anything coming their way.
Prediction: Loss (0-2)
Again, this might be closer than many expect. But with franchise quarterback Justin Herbert under center and an elite offensive line further bolstered by the arrivals of ex-Panthers center Bradley Bozeman and first-round pick Joe Alt, the hosts might be undone in the trenches at Bank of America Stadium.
Carolina Panthers at Raiders - Week 3
Starting at 0-2 wouldn't be ideal, but this was always going to be a gradual route back into contention for the Carolina Panthers. Their next engagement - at the Las Vegas Raiders - is a winnable contest in no uncertain terms.
Some problems could be Carolina's undoing - namely, phenomenal edge rusher Maxx Crosby and All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams. However, head coach Antonio Pierce opted to move forward with Gardner Minshew as the starting quarterback. He's competitive but makes mistakes when confused by different coverages.
Prediction: Win (1-2)
This is something the Panthers can use to their advantage. Defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero is a master at making things difficult for opposing quarterbacks no matter the talent level at his disposal. If he can do the same with Minshew, it will leave the door open for second-year quarterback Bryce Young to gain his first NFL road victory.
Carolina Panthers vs. Bengals - Week 4
The kinks should be worked out by now. There will be a bedding-in period for the Panthers over the first few games of the campaign. This is the time when everything should be moving more efficiently, especially on the offensive side of the football.
Carolina will be hoping this comes to fruition with the Cincinnati Bengals coming to town. The AFC North team will be looking to make another deep postseason run with quarterback Joe Burrow healthy and some imposing assets across the depth chart. This might be the last time Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are a prolific wide receiver partnership with the latter playing on the franchise tag. Making the most of it is crucial.
Prediction: Loss (1-3)
This might be a step too far for the Panthers at this stage of their rebuild. There won't be many expectations on Carolina's shoulders in this one, which should allow Dave Canales the freedom to be creative and keep this competitive before falling late.
Carolina Panthers at Bears - Week 5
There is an interesting rivalry brewing between the Panthers and Chicago Bears. This stems from the trade that moved Carolina up from No. 9 overall into No. 1 in the 2023 NFL Draft for quarterback Bryce Young. Something that appears to have worked out extremely well for the NFC North franchise right now.
A disastrous season for the Panthers saw them embarrassingly give up the No. 1 pick in 2024, which the Bears used to take Caleb Williams. The Heisman Trophy winner out of LSU has generational qualities and boasts a supporting cast capable of taking the league by storm, including former Panthers wide receiver D.J. Moore.
Prediction: Win (2-3)
This is all about pride. The Panthers cannot afford to make this trade look even worse and will have some extra motivation to win for Young on the road. Easier said than done, so it'll be interesting to see the resolve of Canales' players with the circumstances surrounding this fixture.
Carolina Panthers vs. Falcons - Week 6
The Carolina Panthers have some pride to restore within the NFC South this season. They've been a walkover for too long since their dominance in the mid-2010s. Dave Canales won't win every game, but raised urgency and intensity should ensure they won't go down without a fight.
Expectations are incredibly high around the Atlanta Falcons in 2024. They invested heavily in veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, who could be the missing piece of the puzzle. Raheem Morris' appointment to head coach represents a significant upgrade on Arthur Smith, so a bold bid for the division crown is anticipated.
Prediction: Win (3-3)
Carolina will respect the Falcons, but they shouldn't fear them. If they can put pressure on Cousins, mistakes will arrive. Ejiro Evero's emphasized improving turnovers this offseason. Winning the turnover battle in this one will do their chances of coming away victorious a tremendous amount of good.
Carolina Panthers at Commanders - Week 7
This is one of the trickier games to call on Carolina's schedule. If it was last season, one could easily anticipate the Panthers coming away from the newly named Northwest Stadium with another morale-boosting victory. That's not the case anymore.
The Washington Commanders have gone through more upheaval than most this offseason. Everything about the franchise looks unrecognizable - from the ownership and front office to the coaching staff and playing personnel. These drastic alterations were necessary and sparked fresh life into the fanbase.
Prediction: Loss (3-4)
This will see linebacker Frankie Luvu and safety Jeremy Chinn go up against their old employers after their departures in free agency, so the revenge factor is in play. The Commanders are at home and have a dynamic quarterback under center in Jayden Daniels. Securing success isn't impossible for the Panthers, but it'll be difficult with head coach Dan Quinn leading the charge.
Carolina Panthers at Broncos - Week 8
The Denver Broncos harbored lofty ambitions last season after making Sean Payton their head coach. Winning eight games wasn't terrible by any stretch, but it was deeply disappointing considering what was anticipated before a competitive down was played.
Payton remains in the job, but the pressure is building. The Super Bowl winner bought himself some time by making rookie quarterback Bo Nix his starter. This is the reason why the Panthers should fancy their chances of coming away from Mile High Stadium with another impressive victory on their travels.
Prediction: Win (4-4)
Ejiro Evero - the former Broncos defensive coordinator - holds the key. He needs to make sure Nix is confused constantly and prone to individual errors. There's nothing the talent elsewhere can do to compensate for this if the former Oregon star becomes a weak link. That should be enough for the Panthers to triumph in a close-fought clash.
Carolina Panthers vs. Saints - Week 9
The Panthers have another crack at the New Orleans Saints at the midway point of the campaign. A lot can happen between now and then, but Carolina should be amped up with an improved record and cohesion solidified thanks to some solid football under their belt.
As previously stated, the Saints aren't going to keep this roster intact for much longer. Their juggling of the salary cap is mystifying, but it'll only last for so long. There's also the small matter of Derek Carr's predicament, which will either make or break their fortunes in 2024 depending on how the under-pressure signal-caller fares.
Prediction: Win (5-4)
This is a must-win game for the Panthers. They need to set the right tone and prove to the Saints their stranglehold on this matchup in recent years isn't the way things are going to go moving forward. Beating their division rival at Bank of America Stadium is a good place to start.
Carolina Panthers vs. NY Giants - Week 10 (Germany)
Carolina didn't get any primetime games in 2024. That was expected considering their lowly record in 2023 and how the franchise is being perceived around the league. Dave Canales acknowledged that contests in the national spotlight must be earned, but the Panthers have one chance to take center stage during their German adventure against the New York Giants.
The Panthers are hosting a contest at the Allianz Arena in Munich. This also sees them come up against former edge rusher Brian Burns, who was traded by Carolina this offseason after his contract situation was mismanaged horribly by the previous regime.
Prediction: Win (6-4)
This will likely be decided by fine margins. But with quarterback Daniels Jones coming into the campaign under a glaring microscope, there's a chance Carolina emerges with a win if Bryce Young displays more poise under center in clutch moments down the stretch.
Carolina Panthers vs. Chiefs - Week 12
If the Panthers were hoping for an easy fixture upon returning from their bye week, they were out of luck. The two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs come to town for what should be an outstanding occasion at Bank of America Stadium - albeit one of the toughest challenges imaginable for head coach Dave Canales' squad.
Nobody will - or should be - expecting the Panthers to achieve success in this one. The Chiefs look primed for a historic three-peat and have one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history manning the plate. This game represents a solid measuring stick for Canales to see how much more is needed before his team enters contention.
Prediction: Loss (6-5)
Patrick Mahomes has improved weapons this season - including Hollywood Brown and first-round pick Xavier Worthy. Couple this with their exceptional offensive line and progressive defense, this might get ugly if the Panthers aren't up to the challenge.
Carolina Panthers vs. Buccaneers - Week 13
The Carolina Panthers take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the first time this season in Week 13. This has been a one-sided affair over recent years. Not even Tom Brady's retirement before the 2023 campaign changed the narrative.
Tampa Bay swept the Panthers again last season with ex-Carolina quarterback Baker Mayfield under center. This game with have special meaning for head coach Dave Canales, who spent one year as the Buccaneers' offensive coordinator before getting the top job with their NFC South rival.
Prediction: Loss (6-6)
The Buccaneers did everything in their power to keep everyone around for another shot at playoff glory. This continuity and previous dominance makes it difficult to suggest anything other than a Tampa Bay win. However, if anyone knows how to beat them, it's Canales. Something that only adds to the sense of fascination with the business end of the campaign approaching.
Carolina Panthers at Eagles - Week 14
Going to the Philadelphia Eagles is a daunting challenge for even the best NFL teams. It's arguably the league's most hostile environment with a rabid fanbase who have no problem intimidating the opposition. This presents a different set of challenges for the Panthers in pursuit of a shocking victory on their travels.
The Eagles lost Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox to retirement this offseason. Howie Roseman's taken everything in his stride, retooling accordingly through free agency, the draft, and trading for wide receiver Jahan Dotson from the Washington Commanders to avoid a similar freefall they experienced in 2023.
Prediction: Loss (6-7)
Carolina must be physical and keep mistakes to a minimum to stand any chance of getting one over on the Eagles. That might not be enough when it's all said and done, especially with the concerns surrounding their cornerback unit versus the stud duo of A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.
Carolina Panthers vs. Cowboys - Week 15
Things don't get any easier for the Panthers on the back of three straight losses in this scenario. The Dallas Cowboys visit Bank of America Stadium, which could resemble a glorified home game for Mike McCarthy's men given how well their fanbase travels across the country.
The Cowboys haven't managed their contract situations well this offseason. That said, there is still enough firepower to reach the postseason and make a considerable mark. There are very few holes on the roster and some elite-level performers capable of winning games single-handed when in the mood.
Prediction: Loss (6-8)
Controlling the clock is crucial in this one. The Panthers will hopefully have second-round running back Jonathon Brooks firing on all cylinders by this point. Leaning on the former Texas star heavily should keep the game closer than many anticipate, but it's hard to see Carolina coming away with the win versus an organization going for the Super Bowl after decades of falling flat.
Carolina Panthers vs. Cardinals - Week 16
Dave Canales' biggest test if this scenario comes to fruition will be ending a concerning slide and ensuring the Carolina Panthers finish their regular-season home engagements on a high. It won't be easy, but the Arizona Cardinals are beatable despite having some top-notch performers on both sides of the football.
Drafting Marvin Harrison Jr. was a massive boost for quarterback Kyle Murray. Their defense is young and explosive, so nothing but a rousing effort will do for the Panthers' fanbase to go home happy after another rollercoaster campaign on home soil.
Prediction: Win (7-8)
The Panthers will be battered and bruised, so this is all about digging deep. Rising to the occasion with their backs against the wall is going to be tough. But it's essential if Carolina wants to come away from with campaign with something to show for their improved efforts under Canales' guidance.
Carolina Panthers at Buccaneers - Week 17
The Panthers conclude their regular season with two road games versus divisional opposition. First up is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which will see Dave Canales return to the site where he enhanced his blossoming reputation. Specifically, galvanizing quarterback Baker Mayfield's career when all hope seemed lost.
It'll be interesting to see how Mayfield fares within another scheme and without Canales' expert teachings. The Buccaneers are expecting similar if not improved production after paying the signal-caller handsomely. Whether he's capable of such feats hasn't been determined.
Prediction: Loss (7-9)
Tampa Bay should be right in the playoff mix at this stage of the season. The Panthers won't be going down without a fight, but this hasn't been a happy hunting ground for the franchise in recent years. And most of the players who've tormented Carolina remain on the books, which isn't exactly ideal.
Carolina Panthers at Falcons - Week 18
The Atlanta Falcons are looking to regain the NFC South title this season. That seems like the minimum requirement following their splashy moves throughout the offseason. They might have things wrapped up by this point. However, a situation could emerge where Raheem Morris' men have to overcome the Panthers to guarantee the crown.
Carolina wouldn't be playing for anything more than pride in this scenario. Being the spoiler and ensuring one of their close foes doesn't reach their required targets should keep motivation high. Dave Canales will be accepting nothing less, even though some players will have their sights set on a nice break following the contest.
Prediction: Loss (7-10)
Finishing with another losing record would sting, especially for team owner David Tepper. The billionaire has yet to taste prolonged winning since buying the organization. However, improving their victory tally by five in Year 1 of Canales' tenure represents a positive step in the right direction.