Just when it looked like the Carolina Panthers might be in for another embarrassing season with very little optimism attached, there is hope.
That's a strange thing to say for a team languishing at 3-10. However, the improved performances over the last five contests are a sustainable enough sample size to suggest this is the start of brighter days ahead.
Dave Canales is starting to see signs of life in his squad. They've run the Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Philadelphia Eagles — three teams with ambitions to go deep into the postseason — extremely close without quite doing enough to get over the hump. The results aren't there yet, but the Panthers are nobody's walkover anymore.
Carolina has four games left to increase optimism about the team's future. It's not going to be easy, but confidence among the fanbase is high. If the Panthers can take some creditability from their final regular-season engagements, that'll put this team in the best position they've been in during any offseason under David Tepper's ownership.
With this in mind, we took a look at how the Panthers might fare over their last four contests of the 2024 campaign.
Predicting the Carolina Panthers' final four games of 2024
Carolina Panthers vs. Cowboys - Week 15
- Date: Sunday, September 15
- Time: 1.00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Bank of America Stadium
- TV channel: FOX
A strong reflection of the impressive recent growth associated with the Carolina Panthers centers on their odds against the Dallas Cowboys. They are favored — you read that right — in a regular-season game for the first time in two years. Not many would have predicted that in this clash before the campaign.
The Cowboys aren't consistent enough to be taken seriously right now. They once again got hyped up beyond comprehension in the national media and failed to meet raised expectations. Losing quarterback Dak Prescott was a blow. That said, this team's problems run far deeper.
This looks like a great opportunity for the Panthers. Attacking the Cowboys' indifferent run defense is the best place to start. Not having Jonathon Brooks is a blow after the rookie suffered another torn ACL, but Chuba Hubbard has proven capable of shouldering a heavy burden.
- Prediction: Carolina Panthers win (4-10)
If the Panthers can keep wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons quiet, this is a winnable game. Especially if the team performs as it has been of late.
Carolina Panthers vs. Cardinals - Week 16
- Date: Sunday, December 22
- Time: 1.00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Bank of America Stadium
- TV channel: FOX
The Carolina Panthers bring down the curtain on their 2024 regular-season home slate against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 16. This is another good chance to perform well and potentially secure success to give their long-suffering support something to cheer.
Arizona is still vying for a postseason spot. They've fallen behind the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams in the NFC West championship race at the worst possible time. Jonathan Gannon's men need to win out and hope other results go in their favor to stand any chance of making the knockout rounds.
The Panthers are playing spoiler — they are not ready for the playoffs yet despite being more competitive in recent weeks. They looked well-matched versus the Cardinals, but stopping quarterback Kyler Murray from doing damage is crucial.
Murray is a mercurial playmaker who can torch anybody when early momentum is generated. He's aided by a physically imposing running back in James Conner, who recently signed a new deal and is a relentless force when firing on all cylinders.
Much has been made about Marvin Harrison Jr.'s usage this season. The wide receiver came into the league with generational upside but has been up and down this season. With 45 receptions for 655 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, fans were expecting more from the No. 4 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Cardinals defense is talented but vulnerable. That's something Bryce Young's renaissance can take advantage of.
Young's growing in stature and confidence. He's stacked five straight positive efforts and looks capable of manning the starting spot under center beyond 2024. His ability to come through in critical moments versus some of the league's most imposing defenses is remarkable. There's a lot of football left, but the signs are incredibly promising.
- Prediction: Carolina Panthers win (5-10)
If the Panthers' league-worst run defense restricts the tandem of Murray and Conner, they have a shot at a second consecutive victory in this scenario. Whether they can accomplish this feat or not is another matter.
Carolina Panthers at Buccaneers - Week 17
- Date: Sunday, December 29
- Time: 1.00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Raymond James Stadium
- TV channel: CBS
Things could have been different between the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers during their first meeting this season. Individual mistakes and an egregious officiating call played a leading role in the home team's demise at Bank of America Stadium. They'll be eager to right this wrong when the division rivals lock horns again.
This will be Dave Canales' first visit to Raymond James Stadium since leaving the franchise to take the top job in Carolina. One could make a strong case for the play-caller getting the better of Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles in Week 13. Finding a way to turn close defeats into victories is the next challenge.
Tampa Bay is atop the NFC South again. Their victory over the Las Vegas Raiders coupled with the Atlanta Falcons' defeat at the Minnesota Vikings flipped the scales. They are now in pole position to retain their crown and make the postseason once again.
It's the time of year when the Buccaneers typically kick things up a notch. They'll have to do it without standout safety Antoine Winfield Jr., who suffered a knee injury versus the Raiders that is expected to keep him out for a few weeks.
Finding sufficient coping mechanisms is something the Buccaneers have done well. They've found a way without prolific wide receiver Chris Godwin and several others who've missed time at some stage. The Panthers need to be at their best to keep this one competitive.
There will be no pressure on the Panthers. They won't make the playoffs or come close to attaining a winning record. If Canales can adopt an aggressive mentality and get the Buccaneers on the back foot early, it won't take long for apprehension in the stands to arrive.
- Prediction: Carolina Panthers loss (5-11)
The Buccaneers are used to handling this type of situation. It'll be another tight game, but don't be surprised if the Panthers are on the wrong end of another season sweep versus Bowles' men.
Carolina Panthers at Falcons - Week 18
- Date: To be determined (TBD)
- Time: TBD
- Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
- TV channel: TBD
The Atlanta Falcons looked like a lock to win the NFC South at one stage. That is not the case anymore.
Atlanta's found terrible form at the worst possible time. The Falcons have lost four straight games and were obliterated by the Minnesota Vikings last time out. Veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins has zero passing touchdowns and eight interceptions during that span, which is leading to growing calls to install rookie first-rounder Michael Penix Jr.
Raheem Morris threw his confidence behind Cousins. That is likely to remain the case until the Falcons are mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. That might be in Week 18 depending on how things go beforehand.
Regardless of whether it's Penix or Cousins manning the plate by this point, the Carolina Panthers won't care. They'll be intent on causing an upset on the road and heading into the offseason on a high.
Carolina was no match for the Falcons in their first clash this season. But as anyone who has paid attention in recent weeks knows, this is a completely different outfit now. That means they have absolutely nothing to fear at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The Falcons have some dangerous weapons on both sides of the football. However, if they don't have a chance to make the postseason in this one, there's a good chance most players will have half an eye on their upcoming vacation. That's not the mindset in Carolina with many fighting for their futures beyond the current campaign.
This enhanced urgency is something that can work in Carolina's favor. They've performed relatively well in Atlanta over the years. One more rousing effort is needed before everyone goes their separate ways and into the offseason.
- Prediction: Carolina Panthers win (6-11)
Six wins was arguably the ceiling among projections for the Panthers before competitive action began. If Canales can reach this feat considering everything that occurred over the first half of 2024, that'll be the biggest plus imaginable.