After so much hope among the fanbase throughout the offseason, it's quickly turning into the same old story for the Carolina Panthers. They are talent-deficient. They lack sufficient depth. They are dealing with quarterback issues and serious injury complications. They are 1-4 and staring down the barrel of another lost campaign.
This isn't what head coach Dave Canales had in mind. His demeanor in front of the media has noticeably changed. His comments about wanting to protect Andy Dalton over the confidence-sapped Bryce Young came in for criticism this week in the national media and among the fanbase. If that wasn't bad enough, the Panthers suffered another crippling loss when Austin Corbett tore his bicep and is out for the season.
Nobody is expecting the Panthers to emerge from rock bottom anytime soon. Fans who were dreaming of brighter days and a quick turnaround had their aspirations shattered. This is going to take time, perhaps even longer than Canales initially anticipated.
There are still 12 contests to go, so wallowing in self-pity isn't going to help anybody. With that being said, we took a look at how the Panthers might fare over the next four games following a 1-4 start to the 2024 campaign.
Predicting the Carolina Panthers' next four games after 1-4 start in 2024
Carolina Panthers vs. Falcons - Week 6
- Date: Sunday, October 13
- Time: 4.25 p.m. ET
- Venue: Bank of America Stadium
A divisional matchup awaits the Carolina Panthers in Week 6. This also begins three straight contests in the late window, which is something that Dave Canales should factor into his game-day planning.
The Atlanta Falcons are atop the NFC South at 3-2. It was a tough start, but Raheem Morris' teachings are starting to bear fruit. Veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins has also found his feet as evidenced by his franchise-record 509 passing yards on Thursday Night Football against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
This is going to be a tough challenge for the Panthers despite their decent home record versus the Falcons in recent years. Not only will the offensive line be without veteran center Austin Corbett, but stud right tackle Taylor Moton is missing his first regular-season contest since being drafted by the organization in 2017.
- Prediction: Panthers loss (1-5)
These are two teams heading in different directions right now. Form goes out of the window during divisional battles more often than not, but one would be hard-pressed to predict a win for the Panthers based on how things have unfolded over the opening five contests.
Carolina Panthers at Commanders - Week 7
- Date: Sunday, October 20
- Time: 4.05 p.m. ET
- Venue: Northwest Stadium
Fans could have been forgiven for looking at this game as one of the more winnable road obstacles on the schedule before competitive action began in 2024. That's not the case right now.
The Washington Commanders are riding a tidal wave of positivity and enthusiasm just five games into their exciting new regime. Their changes from top to bottom across the organization have seen this sleeping giant begin to wake much sooner than initially anticipated. Head coach Dan Quinn's remarkable culture shift has them sitting on the NFC East summit at 4-1 with dreams of postseason football rising in Year 1 of his tenure.
This is a major positive for the Commanders. It also shows how things can turn around quickly with the right hires and the freedom for the football men to make the important decisions. Unfortunately for the Carolina Panthers, it's something that's been sorely lacking throughout David Tepper's inept ownership so far.
Taking the right quarterback with a high draft pick also helps. The Panthers have given all but up on Bryce Young reading between the lines. Washington took Jayden Daniels at No. 2 overall this year, who looks like a franchise-altering presence under center after taking the league by storm right out of the gate.
Couple this with an improving defense led by former Panthers linebacker Frankie Luvu, a dominant rushing attack, and an offensive line emerging as a real bright spot, it's not hard to see why expectations are rising around the Commanders after years of languishing in the football wilderness.
- Prediction: Panthers loss (1-6)
Much will depend on how the Commanders fare in their crunch Week 6 game at the Baltimore Ravens. If they emerge from that contest unscathed on the health front with a potential win, this could be a step too far for the Panthers in their current state.
Carolina Panthers at Broncos - Week 8
- Date: Sunday, October 27
- Time: 4.25 p.m. ET
- Venue: Empower Field at Mile High
The tough tests keep coming for the Carolina Panthers. Traveling to Mile High Stadium to take on the Denver Broncos on the back of such a disastrous run of form isn't exactly ideal. This represents a different challenge for head coach Dave Canales, who must navigate the altitude in addition to the progressive squad Sean Payton has put together.
Denver has surprised a few so far. Many wondered if their decision to spend a first-round selection on quarterback Bo Nix. He's not the finished article just yet, but it seems like the Broncos might be onto something with the signal-caller under Payton's expert guidance.
Having a top-level defense is aiding the rookie signal-caller considerably. The Broncos look like a well-balanced outfit despite removing some established veterans from the equation this offseason. This fresh injection of youthful exuberance seems to be having the desired effect. It's something Canales wants for the Panthers, even if it might take a little longer.
Carolina's success in this one will be predicated on the defense. Ejiro Evero spent one season in Denver before joining the Panthers, so he won't want to leave Colorado red-faced against his old employers in pursuit of improving his head coaching chances during the 2025 cycle.
Stopping the Broncos' rushing attack - which isn't exactly stellar - would be a good place to start. Making Nix uncomfortable pre-snap and in the pocket would also improve their chances. Whether the Panthers have enough pass-rush to achieve this objective is another matter.
- Prediction: Panthers Loss (1-7)
A lot could happen where the Panthers are concerned by this point. They might have edge rusher D.J. Wonnum and rookie second-round running back Jonathon Brooks available by this point, which would be a massive bonus. However, it's difficult to predict anything other than defeat in this sort of environment with Carolina's backs against the wall.
Carolina Panthers vs. Saints - Week 9
- Date: Sunday, November 3
- Time: 1.00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Bank of America Stadium
Coming into their Week 9 game against the New Orleans Saints on the back of such a disastrous run would make for an interesting atmosphere at Bank of America Stadium. Most fans were encouraged by the moves made throughout the first offseason under general manager Dan Morgan. That's evaporated entirely in a short space of time. If they were 1-7 by this point, the disillusionment would go to similar levels seen under Matt Rhule and Frank Reich.
The New Orleans Saints won't be making Dave Canales' life easy that's for sure. They're beatable as evidenced by their 2-3 record. However, they've had the Panthers' number over recent years more often than not.
New Orleans is a tricky evaluation up to now. One minute they look capable of mounting a postseason push, but the consistency is nowhere near the level associated with those hunting for playoff glory.
Veteran quarterback Derek Carr remains inconsistent, even if the Panthers made him look like an NFL MVP candidate in Week 1. The two teams were pretty far apart based on their previous encounter. Whether it's a trend that continues in this one remains to be seen.
Carolina might not have much home-field advantage to speak of given the dwindling attendances and the fact most visiting fans treat Bank of America Stadium like a tourist attraction. The Panthers should be used to this, so it cannot be used as an excuse heading into a battle versus an old adversary.
- Prediction: Panthers win (2-7)
The Panthers are not going to lose every game between now and the end of the season. That doesn't bear thinking about given how impulsive David Tepper is with his decision-making process. Gaining back some pride against the Saints would be a confidence boost for everyone associated with the franchise before their trip to Germany for an international game against the New York Giants.