The Carolina Panthers are coming under fire once again. Their offseason hope is gone, replaced by more abject misery and questions about the franchise's long-term aspirations once again.
Dave Canales is navigating some tricky waters right now. The head coach came under fire for his play-calling during Carolina's loss at the Denver Broncos in Week 8, which was another prime example of his complete lack of faith in quarterback Bryce Young.
One only has to look at Canales' response to a question surrounding Young getting the start once again this weekend to see that. He spent most of it outlining his desire to protect Andy Dalton before saying through gritted teeth how excited he was to see the former Alabama star under center to continue his development. It's not hard to see the woods through the trees with this particular equation.
The Panthers have to salvage something, anything, from the 2024 season. With this in mind, we took a look at how Carolina might fare over the next four games following an abysmal 1-7 opening to the campaign.
Predicting the Carolina Panthers' next four games after 1-7 start in 2024
Carolina Panthers vs. Saints - Week 9
- Date: Sunday, November 3
- Time: 1.00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Bank of America Stadium
The Carolina Panthers got obliterated by the New Orleans Saints in Week 1. However, the teams have the same record since that contest.
New Orleans is on a six-game losing run following their 2-0 start under head coach Dennis Allen. Some of those came without veteran quarterback Derek Carr, who looks set to make his return this weekend after missing time with an oblique complication.
There's also a chance Carolina could be getting some key men back, too. Dane Jackson and D.J. Wonnum might do enough to get involved in some capacity. Second-round running back Jonathon Brooks also looks set to be activated for the first time since being taken No. 46 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.
- Prediction: Carolina Panthers loss (1-8)
This might be a lot closer than the line among sportsbooks suggests. But considering how things unfolded between the two NFC South rivals in Week 1, it's hard to predict anything but a Panthers loss unless the returning figures make a lasting impression right out of the gate.
Carolina Panthers vs. NY Giants - Week 10
- Date: Sunday, November 10
- Time: 9.30 a.m. ET
- Venue: Allianz Arena (Munich, Germany)
The Carolina Panthers take center stage for the only time this season in Week 10. It's not a primetime game, but it's as close as Dave Canales will get in 2024 unless his team gets an unlikely flex later in the campaign.
Allianz Arena - the home of German soccer juggernauts Bayern Munich - will play host to the Panthers and New York Giants. It's not exactly the greatest spectacle for fans considering how the two teams are faring this season, but it's a chance to put on a show and gain some semblance of respectability from the campaign.
The Giants had high hopes entering the season, but veteran quarterback Daniel Jones' erratic production continues to hold them back. It won't be much longer before the former first-round pick out of Duke is benched if he cannot raise performance levels. They are missing running back Saquon Barkley badly. Not paying him was a massive mistake that could cost general manager Joe Schoen his job when it's all said and done.
Carolina isn't exactly setting the world alight either. Perhaps a change of scenery and a different routine will bring out more from this demoralized group of players. Much will also depend on whether general manager Dan Morgan makes more moves before the 2024 deadline on November 5.
There's also an underlying storyline that will no doubt gain more attention next week. This game sees edge rusher Brian Burns go up against the team that drafted him for the first time since his trade to the Giants. He'll be eager to make his old employers pay following the previous regime's complete mismanagement of his contract situation.
- Prediction: Carolina Panthers win (2-8)
This is a game the Panthers can win. It won't be easy and it could easily go the other way, so putting Jones under pressure and negating New York's defensive front is the best way to accomplish this feat.
Caerolina Panthers vs. Chiefs - Week 12
- Date: Sunday, November 24
- Time: 1.00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Bank of America Stadium
Dave Canales couldn't have asked for a more difficult game coming off the bye week. The Carolina Panthers face the daunting challenge posed by the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 12, who are on course for an unprecedented three-peat that would cement their status in the annals of league history.
The Chiefs haven't hit their typically imposing heights offensively so far. However, the defense is among the league's best and they are finding different ways to win.
They are the NFL's only remaining undefeated team despite dealing with some significant injury issues. Patrick Mahomes remains an elite presence under center and defensive lineman Chris Jones is a one-man wrecking crew capable of changing the momentum of any contest.
This is a tough test for the Panthers. Many thought before the campaign that it could be a sound measuring stick for Canales to see how his side is progressing. Now, fans are just hoping it's not another embarrassment on home soil.
Having a prolonged period of rest and extra time to prepare before taking on the two-time defending Super Bowl champions should assist in some capacity. The Panthers could also be at (almost) full strength for the first time in a while to further raise encouragement.
That's where the positivity ends.
The Panthers need to raise their performance levels to heights not seen throughout David Tepper's ownership to even stand a chance in this one. Kansas City is a dynasty for a reason. If Carolina doesn't execute the game plan effectively and give nothing but 100 percent to the cause, it's not hard to see how this one could go.
- Prediction: Carolina Panthers loss (2-9)
This would be the season's biggest shock by a considerable margin if the Panthers can pull it off. They have no expectations on their shoulders, so playing with a sense of freedom is key. Whether that'll be enough to keep this one competitive is another matter.
Carolina Panthers at Buccaneers - Week 13
- Date: Sunday, December 1
- Time: 4.05 p.m. ET
- Venue: Raymond James Stadium
The end of the 2024 campaign is mercifully in sight for the Carolina Panthers at this juncture. Their business end of the season through December begins with a trip to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which will see Dave Canales go back to the team he left this offseason to take the head coaching job with an NFC South rival.
Canales spent one season with the Buccaneers. He played a leading role in helping quarterback Baker Mayfield get back to his old self and earn a ton of money along the way. There will be a sense of sentiment attached to the contest, but it'll be all business when game time arrives.
The Panthers haven't exactly shone against the Buccaneers in recent seasons. Tom Brady torched them on countless occasions during his stint with the franchise. Mayfield had no trouble ruthlessly disposing of his old employers in their two meetings last season.
While Canales will know how to counteract Tampa Bay's threats better than anybody, doing it is another matter. The Buccaneers don't have Chris Godwin after the wide receiver suffered a brutal season-ending injury when real momentum was building. But they boast Mike Evans and a decent enough defense capable of making things difficult for the Panthers in this one.
Just who'll be under center in Carolina by this point is anyone's guess. Andy Dalton wanted to start in Week 9 but was held back by Canales. The margin for error is incredibly slim where Bryce Young is concerned. There are also murmurings that the signal-caller could still be traded before the deadline to factor into the equation.
- Prediction: Carolina Panthers loss (2-10)
It's hard to see how the Panthers' dismal run against the Buccaneers will end despite their up-and-down campaign. If Canales found himself 2-10 at this stage, it won't be much longer before the national media begins speculating about his future given team owner David Tepper's impulsive decision-making previously.