Dave Canales was more relieved than most when his Carolina Panthers team dug deep to secure only their second triumph of the campaign in Week 9.
It wasn't pretty against the New Orleans Saints, but they found a way. The result cost head coach Dennis Allen his job, with defensive end Cam Jordan throwing shade at the Panthers with a misguided swipe that brought a harsh reality check from stud cornerback Jaycee Horn along the way.
This was a positive step, especially considering how confident quarterback Bryce Young looked. There's a lot to like about how Carolina's rookie playmakers are coming to the fore. It was a fleeting moment of joy. It also doesn't detract from the precarious situation Canales finds himself at the midway point of the campaign.
The Panthers remain rooted among the bottom feeders. Speculation regarding players being disposed of before the trade deadline remains. They can take great heart from beating the Saints, but it's also worth remembering New Orleans is on a seven-game losing run.
It'll be interesting to see how things unfold from here on. With this in mind, we took a look at how the Panthers might fare over their next four games after a 2-7 start to the 2024 season.
Predicting the Carolina Panthers' next four games after 2-7 start in 2024
Carolina Panthers vs. NY Giants - Week 10
- Date: Sunday, November 10
- Time: 9.30 a.m. ET
- Venue: Allianz Arena (Germany)
A change of venue and routine awaits the Carolina Panthers this weekend. They are taking part in an international game against the New York Giants, which promises to be a fantastic spectacle and a chance for Dave Canales' men to take center stage for the only time this season.
The Giants are not a good team, but they cannot be underestimated. Struggling quarterback Daniel Jones' mobility could be an issue for the Panthers' defense. First-round wide receiver Malik Nabers has the skills to cause Carolina's secondary endless problems if afforded enough space.
Their biggest strength centers on the defensive front. Nose tackle Dexter Lawrence II is the league's best at his position. Former Panthers edge rusher Brian Burns will be out to make his old employers pay for terrible mismanagement of his contract situation before his trade. Azeez Ojulari is another threat, although speculation remains about the pass-rusher being traded before the deadline.
- Prediction: Carolina Panthers win (3-7)
It won't be easy, especially if left tackle Ikem Ekwonu misses his second-straight contest. At the same time, the Panthers have nothing to fear against a team devoid of confidence with significant questions about their man under center.
Carolina Panthers vs. Chiefs - Week 12
- Date: Sunday, November 24
- Time: 1.00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Bank of America Stadium
The Carolina Panthers will be reinvigorated on a two-game winning run and coming off their long-awaited bye week in this scenario. Unfortunately for head coach Dave Canales, that's where the positivity ends.
Carolina welcomes the Kansas City Chiefs to Bank of America Stadium in Week 12. The two-time defending Super Bowl champions are 8-0 without things quite clicking on all cylinders as yet. They were taken to overtime by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but came through when it counted. That's a scary proposition for the rest of the contending teams.
The Chiefs are finding ways to get the job done. Their defense is nothing short of outstanding, led by All-Pro defensive lineman Chris Jones. Kansas City's offense has the scope to be prolific with quarterback Patrick Mahomes leading the charge, so it's a stern test that Carolina must be ready for.
Nobody will be expecting too much from the Panthers in this one. They are levels below the Chiefs right now. Having some newfound momentum will help. However, this represents a different challenge to anything they've faced so far this season.
Controlling the clock is key. The Panthers need to rely heavily on their ground game versus a stingy Chiefs unit that is giving up just 83.9 yards per game on the ground currently. Second-round rookie Jonathon Brooks should be back by this point, although Canales hasn't officially activated him to the roster despite three weeks of encouraging practice sessions under his belt.
Any team with the likes of Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and DeAndre Hopkins should be respected. The Chiefs have navigated some difficult injuries on offense, but the return of veteran running back Kareem Hunt has helped their cause enormously.
- Prediction: Carolina Panthers loss (3-8)
Not even the brightest Panthers optimist would predict anything other than another loss. The Chiefs are going for a historic three-peat while Carolina attempts to keep its head above water. Keeping this contest close should be considered a fantastic achievement all things considered.
Carolina Panthers vs. Buccaneers - Week 13
- Date: Sunday, December 1
- Time: 4.05 p.m. ET
- Venue: Bank of America Stadium
Gaining a foothold in the NFC South with a victory over the struggling New Orleans Saints was a step in the right direction. It's been a long time since the Carolina Panthers were able to claim any sort of bragging rights within the division. One only has to look at the reaction from opposition players following the triumph to see how they're still being perceived.
That was a more winnable contest than this one. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers still harbor ambitions to be a playoff contender despite losing some key men to injury. They pushed the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs to the limit before eventually falling short in overtime. There are no moral victories in the NFL, but this performance came pretty close.
The Buccaneers are 4-5 and on a three-game losing run. Head coach Todd Bowles won't be pressing the panic button just yet. However, they are rapidly falling behind the Atlanta Falcons and cannot afford this slump to continue for much longer.
Beating the Buccaneers is something the Panthers have found difficult in recent years. Tom Brady's arrival changed everything. Ex-Carolina quarterback Baker Mayfield continued the trend last season. But if anyone should know how best to counteract their threats, it's Dave Canales.
He was Tampa Bay's offensive coordinator last season and played a significant role in Mayfield's career renaissance. This previous knowledge of the players should serve him well. Whether it's enough for the Panthers to turn the tide during this rivalry is another matter.
- Prediction: Carolina Panthers loss (3-9)
The Panthers shouldn't be lacking in motivation. It's a chance to make another dent in the division and prove they are not going to go down without a fight. The players should also be pulling hard and striving with everything they have for Canales to get one over on his former team.
It seems like a tall order, but not impossible by any stretch.
Carolina Panthers at Eagles - Week 14
- Date: Sunday, December 8
- Time: 1.00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Lincoln Financial Field
There is no let-up for the Carolina Panthers heading into the business end of the campaign. A daunting trip to the Philadelphia Eagles awaits in Week 14, which is a notoriously hostile environment that can see opposing teams crumble if they don't rise to the occasion.
The Eagles started slowly but things seem to be clicking now. Head coach Nick Sirianni is still coming under fire for his situational game management and play-calling on occasion. However, he seems to have found the right formula offensively after making running back Saquon Barkley the undisputed focal point.
Barkley has been a revelation since signing in free agency from the New York Giants. He runs with purpose and explosiveness. The former Penn State star already has 925 rushing yards and six touchdowns to his name, averaging 5.9 yards per carry and looking like a potential NFL Offensive Player of the Year candidate.
That's not exactly ideal for a run defense conceding a league-worst 159.3 rushing yards per game at the midway point. Defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero needs to have a plan devised around keeping the player quiet. But this might open things up for quarterback Jalen Hurts and a passing attack led by the wide receiver duo of A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.
Couple this with an explosive young defense and playing at Lincoln Financial Field, it's not hard to see why the Panthers will go into this contest as heavy underdogs. The pressure is all on Philadelphia considering they're in a fight with the Washington Commanders for the NFC East crown, so playing with an added sense of freedom is key.
- Prediction: Carolina Panthers loss (3-10)
It would be a bombshell of epic proportions if the Panthers got anything from this one. Being 3-10 at this juncture isn't ideal, but it's a whole lot better than how things looked just a couple of weeks ago. And in all honesty, any positives Dave Canales can take from the second half of 2024 will be a bonus.