How could the Carolina Panthers fare over their next four games with the struggling organization currently sittng at 1-11 in the standings?
A change in head coach did nothing to prevent the Carolina Panthers from falling to yet another defeat in Week 13. Things looked a little more cohesive offensively, but the same complications once again proved to be the team's undoing as quarterback Baker Mayfield exacted revenge on his former employers.
This has the Panthers staring into the abyss as the NFL's worst team. One can point to mitigating factors in play, but the record doesn't lie and a huge overhaul is once again needed this offseason.
That won't matter much to Chris Tabor. The interim head coach will attempt to navigate the next five games as best he can in an attempt to salvage some semblance of respectability from an otherwise horrific campaign - a huge task in the circumstances.
With this in mind, we took a look at how the Panthers could fare over their next four games as they aim to improve on their 1-11 record.
Carolina Panthers at Saints - Week 14
Another divisional road test awaits the Carolina Panthers this weekend. While the New Orleans Saints aren't pulling up trees themselves this season, one could argue they have more than enough to secure victory on home soil.
There is some concern about whether quarterback Derek Carr will suit up. The veteran signal-caller's status for the game is in question, but one could argue that Jameis Winston represents a more complicated obstacle to overcome.
Prediction: Loss (1-12)
Winston is unpredictable, can make something out of nothing, and gets the football downfield with urgency. Mistakes generally come as a result, but the Panthers would do well to get anything out of this game looking at how they've performed overall in 2023.
Carolina Panthers vs. Falcons - Week 15
A third straight NFC South clash sees the Carolina Panthers welcome the Atlanta Falcons to Bank of America Stadium in Week 15. It seems like an age since the two rivals squared off - in Week 1 to be precise - but there is always a sense of unpredictability regarding divisional battles between teams that know each other well.
The Falcons look like the frontrunners to win the division. This is almost by default when one considers how dismal things are right now across the NFC South, but there is more pressure on their shoulders than the 1-11 Panthers that's for sure.
Carolina suffered a 24-10 loss during their first meeting this season, which was a grave disappointment after an offseason littered with expectations and bold predictions. Putting this right will be difficult, with the stands expected to be packed with Falcons fans as the Panthers' fanbase becomes increasingly disengaged with the current football product.
That said, the Panthers have a shot. It might not seem like it, but their defense is almost fully healthy and if the offense continues to grow with Thomas Brown calling the shots, it cannot be dismissed entirely.
Prediction: Win (2-12)
Expecting the Panthers to win any game at this juncture is pushing things. However, showing pride and thwarting Atlanta's exceptional rushing attack should be enough to emerge victorious.
In theory…
Carolina Panthers vs. Packers - Week 16
Christmas Eve last year saw the Carolina Panthers put together a record-breaking rushing performance en route to a convincing victory against the Detroit Lions at Bank of America Stadium. Could history repeat itself in 2023?
The Green Bay Packers are this year's festive opposition. This is going to be a more testing clash than many expected before the campaign, with Matt LaFleur's men coming to life in recent weeks after taking time to adjust following quarterback Aaron Rodgers' trade to the New York Jets.
This is a progressive young team on the up. LaFleur also boasts a phenomenal head coaching record in December, so the complications that could emerge are obvious if the Panthers aren't up for the challenge.
One must also acknowledge the encouraging performances of quarterback Jordan Love. The former first-round pick waited patiently for his chance and despite some indifferent moments, looks like the latest in Green Bay's conveyorbelt of starting signal-callers from one to the next.
Prediction: Loss (2-13)
Much will depend on whether the Panthers' defense can continue its encouraging run of form at full strength. But considering how much the Packers have left to play for, LaFleur's record at this time of year, and Love's recent production, fans could go home without much Christmas cheer from this one.
Carolina Panthers at Jaguars - Week 16
This is tricky to predict, as strange as that sounds. The Jacksonville Jaguars are performing far better than the Carolina Panthers this season, but there are concerns about the status of stud quarterback Trevor Lawrence thanks to a high ankle sprain suffered on Monday Night Football.
Lawrence is considered week-to-week, but the chances of him playing in the immediate future are remote. If the Jaguars are still in AFC South title contention by this point, one would expect the former No. 1 overall selection out of Clemson to suit up.
The Panthers have yet to taste success on the road in 2023. They are also susceptible to giving up big plays in the passing game versus high-caliber wide receivers, so this is a contest that Calvin Ridley should relish.
Jacksonville might not have Christian Kirk either after the dynamic wideout went down in Week 13. Ridley will take center stage as a result, which would be a nice audition as he gets set to enter free agency unless the Jaguars decide to keep him around.
Prediction: Loss (2-13)
If Lawrence isn't healthy enough to participate, the Panthers' chances of winning improve exponentially. But with the playoffs on the line, it would be surprising to see Carolina attain success with little to compete for other than pride.