How could the Carolina Panthers fare over their next four games after finally picking up a much-needed first win of the 2023 season?
For a team currently sitting at 1-6 in the standings, there is a decent amount of optimism surrounding the Carolina Panthers right now. Getting an important victory over the Houston Texans was a good place to start, but there is a lot of hard work ahead if Frank Reich's men want to salvage something from the 2023 campaign.
Bryce Young continues to show encouraging growth with every passing week. The offense looked far more effective with Thomas Brown calling plays and the defense seems to be getting some key figures back from injury to further raise confidence.
The Panthers also have some winnable games upcoming on their schedule. Nothing can be taken for granted with one win in seven to show for their efforts so far, but all hope is not lost by any stretch of the imagination.
With this in mind, we took a look at how Carolina might fare over the next four games after a disappointing 1-6 start to the campaign.
Carolina Panthers vs. Colts - Week 9
This one will mean a lot more to Frank Reich, even if he won't say it publicly. The Carolina Panthers take on the Indianapolis Colts this weekend, which is the team that fired him during the 2022 campaign in favor of putting Jeff Saturday at the helm - a man with no NFL coaching experience whatsoever.
That will have stung Reich in the biggest way imaginable. This should also serve as inspiration to his players, so nothing less than maximum effort and improved execution will do.
Prediction: Win (2-6)
If the Panthers managed to perform on defense as they did against the Houston Texans and turn scoring opportunities into points with more frequency, they've got a good chance. The Colts cannot be underestimated, but this seems like an opportunity to keep the momentum going on home turf.
Carolina Panthers at Bears - Week 10
A game between two of the NFL's bottom-feeders currently isn't exactly prominent viewing more often than not. But there will be plenty of added storylines when the Carolina Panthers travel north to take on the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field.
The fact this was allocated to Thursday Night Football on Amazon Prime is a testament to the underlying connection between the two franchises. Of course, this all stemmed from the bombshell trade that landed Carolina the No. 1 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft and the chance to take quarterback Bryce Young.
This involved substantial draft compensation and wide receiver, D.J. Moore. A beloved player across the fanbase, he was hurt by the team's decision to make him surplus to requirements and will be doing everything in his power to make them pay in Week 10.
The good news for Carolina is that Jaycee Horn could be back in time for this one. And make no mistake, they'll need the shutdown cornerback in the hope of counteracting the supreme gifts Moore brings to the table.
Prediction: Win (3-6)
Struggling left tackle Ikem Ekwonu promises to have his work cut out after the Bears pulled off a trade for stud edge rusher Montez Sweat from the Washington Commanders before the deadline. But with signal-caller Justin Fields' status in doubt, the Panthers aren't without a chance if everyone performs up to the required standard.
Carolina Panthers vs. Cowboys - Week 11
Confidence will be brimming for the Carolina Panthers after three straight victories in this scenario. One could argue that's unrealistic considering how things have unfolded throughout seven games, but it's also completely ignoring the noticeable improvements made in Week 8 and the fact many top stars are making their way back from the treatment room.
However, the task awaiting Carolina in Week 11 is a steep one. The Panthers welcome the Dallas Cowboys to Bank of America Stadium for what is arguably their most difficult remaining game, so a monumental effort is needed to stand any chance of pulling off a major upset.
The Cowboys look primed for another deep postseason run despite not having much of a running game and losing stud cornerback Trevon Diggs for the season. They are also ruthless when it comes to disposing of inferior opposition.
This is a stern test for the Panthers and their home stadium is likely to be invaded by Cowboys fans to further complicate matters. At the same time, not having many expectations could work in the team's favor versus a storied franchise that gets hyped up constantly despite achieving very little over the last 30 years.
Prediction: Loss (3-7)
These two teams aren't evenly matched - that's the harsh reality. Things still need to play out on the field, but it's hard to project anything other than a Panthers' loss right now.
Carolina Panthers at Titans - Week 12
Again, this doesn't look like the most daunting of propositions if the Carolina Panthers continue to improve. The Tennessee Titans are 3-4 currently and have become a notoriously physical team under head coach Mike Vrabel, which is highlighted by their formidable running attack that can set the tone in a hurry.
Derrick Henry is an absolute man-mountain that can break off huge yardage when he picks up steam. Something that could prove complicated to stop for a Panthers' run defense giving up 139.4 yards per game on the ground.
Tennessee is also embroiled in a quarterback conundrum currently. Veteran Ryan Tannehill remains out through injury and second-round pick Will Levis could now have the job long-term after his sensational four-touchdown debut in Week 8.
They also have a decent defense and a wide receiver in DeAndre Hopkins who finally sprung to life with Levis under center. The Titans cannot be taken lightly by any stretch, but the Panthers also have nothing to fear if they can somehow stop Henry in his tracks.
Prediction: Win (4-7)
This prediction is done more in hope rather than expectation. A strong start is imperative, but the quarterback duel between Bryce Young and Levis - if he's still Tennessee's No. 1 by this point - might prove to be the difference in pursuit of another road success.
And 4-7 looks a lot better than 1-6.