Just when it looked like the Carolina Panthers were down and out in 2024., there are signs of life.
Head coach Dave Canales must be thrilled with what he's seen from his players over the last month. They aren't winning every game, but this revamped unit is gaining confidence and becoming more competitive after a torrid first half of the campaign.
Sunday's loss at home to the Kansas City Chiefs went down to the wire. Bryce Young enjoyed the best game of his professional career to continue his recent renaissance. Unfortunately, legendary signal-caller Patrick Mahomes had too much time on the clock and did enough for a walk-off field goal as time expired.
This is a moral victory, if there is such a thing in the NFL. The Panthers are starting to hit their stride. It won't amount to a winning record or postseason berth. However, it's a sign Canales has this team trending in the right direction with hope for the future.
Sustaining the team's newfound positivity is the next challenge. With this in mind, we took a look at how the Panthers might fare over their next four games after a 3-8 record up to now.
Predicting the Carolina Panthers' next four games after 3-8 start in 2024
Carolina Panthers vs. Buccaneers - Week 13
- Date: Sunday, December 1
- Time: 4.05 p.m. ET
- Venue: Bank of America Stadium
- TV channel: FOX
There is no time for the Carolina Panthers to revel in the praise being thrown in their direction from the media. It's been a long time since this downtrodden organization was viewed in a positive light. Dave Canales also knows the importance of keeping their foot on the gas in pursuit of further improvements.
Next up for the Panthers is a home tie against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Carolina's NFC South rivals face a real fight to retain their division crown this season. They easily disposed of the New York Giants last time out, but that's not exactly a high bar for which to aim looking at how things have unfolded for the G-Men.
Canales will be going up versus his old employees for the first time and wants to make a good impression. Baker Mayfield won't want to be shown up by his former team or offensive coordinator. The quarterback struck two telling blows on the Panthers in 2023. He'll be eager to do the same again.
- Prediction: Carolina Panthers win (4-8)
Much like the game last week, this is going to be a lot closer than most people envisage. The Buccaneers have gotten the better of Carolina in recent meetings. But if the Panthers can take the momentum gained in defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs, don't be surprised if they begin to turn the tide in this rivalry at long last.
Carolina Panthers at Eagles - Week 14
- Date: Sunday, December 8
- Time: 1.00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Lincoln Financial Field
- TV channel: FOX
Getting a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would be a monumental confidence boost in this scenario. However, the challenge awaiting the Carolina Panthers in Week 14 represents something different entirely.
Dave Canales and his players face a daunting trip to the Philadelphia Eagles. Lincoln Financial Field is one of the most hostile environments around, which poses a unique set of complications in itself. That's without counting for the electrifying form the NFC East leaders are in after recovering from an indifferent start.
The Eagles are on a seven-game winning run. They are dominating almost everyone regardless of opposition standards. It also helps that running back Saquon Barkley is emerging as a legitimate NFL MVP candidate after his free-agent move from the New York Giants.
Barkley was highly motivated to make the Giants pay for their lack of confidence. He's on a historic pace right now. Considering how the Panthers have struggled against the run more often than not without Pro Bowl defensive lineman Derrick Brown, it's not hard to see where the complications could emerge.
The matchup between wide receiver A.J. Brown and stud cornerback Jaycee Horn is a mouth-watering one. Whether Bryce Young can move the football versus Philadelphia's outstanding defense will go a long way to determining whether the Panthers will be competitive.
Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis are a formidable defensive tackle tandem. Zack Baun has quietly emerged as one of the league's most prolific linebackers. The rookie cornerback duo of Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean look like two masterstrokes from general manager Howie Roseman. There are very few holes on this team as they look to mount another deep postseason run in 2024.
- Prediction: Carolina Panthers loss (4-9)
This would be the shock of the season. The Panthers come into the game in good form and confidence should be high. But this looks like a step too far unless the Eagles become complacent.
Carolina Panthers vs. Cowboys - Week 15
- Date: Sunday, December 15
- Time: 1.00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Bank of America Stadium
- TV channel: FOX
Nobody is expecting the Carolina Panthers to win on the road versus the Philadelphia Eagles. That won't be the case when the Dallas Cowboys visit Bank of America Stadium in Week 15.
The Cowboys were once again hyped up beyond comprehension before the campaign. They failed to meet lofty expectations, which follows a decades-long trend of underachievement since Dallas' glory days of the 1990s.
Dak Prescott is out for the season. Many other influential figures are also on the shelf. Morale is a little higher after securing a dramatic success over the Washington Commanders, but it's been largely underwhelming aside from that.
Make no mistake, this represents an outstanding opportunity for the Panthers to get another win in the column.
Fans will be worried about draft standing by this point, but that won't be the case where head coach Dave Canales is concerned. He'll want his players to finish on the front foot and provide Carolina's long-suffering fanbase with legitimate hope for the future. Dan Morgan can worry about the draft status later.
This game will likely come down to two factors, both of which are in Carolina's favor. The Cowboys' run defense is terrible - something Chuba Hubbard and second-round rookie Jonathon Brooks can take advantage of. Carolina's offensive line could also hold edge rusher Micah Parsons in check wherever he's deployed along the line of scrimmage.
Bryce Young has a lot more talent than Cooper Rush, there's no doubt about that whatsoever. Kicking to KaVontae Turpin wouldn't be smart. But if Jaycee Horn can limit CeeDee Lamb's influence, the Panthers have more than enough to give the Cowboys all they can handle.
- Prediction: Carolina Panthers win (5-9)
The Panthers have nothing to fear in this one. They might not have home-field advantage considering how many Cowboys fans are expected to attend. However, that didn't stop Canales' men from taking the two-time defending Super Bowl champions to the limit before eventually falling short.
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 conclude their regular-season home engagements with a home clash with the Arizona Cardinals. This is another winnable game, but the NFC West outfit has plenty to play for with the division title there for the taking.
Arizona is currently second behind the Seattle Seahawks. Both boast a 6-5 record through 11 games. It's a fine margin situation with the San Francisco 49ers also holding out hope despite languishing at 5-6.
The Panthers will be playing the role of spoiler. That's the best they can hope for after a disastrous start to the campaign. Things are looking up now, but this still represents a stern test of their credentials.
Arizona has some outstanding young playmakers. Quarterback Kyler Murray is playing at a high level and his mobility could hurt the Panthers if gap discipline becomes an issue. James Conner is a bruising running back capable of setting the tone if afforded enough space. Rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and tight end Trey McBride are a devastating duo in the passing game.
The Cardinals also have an improving defense with the explosiveness and dynamism to wreak havoc. Bryce Young must remain composed when pressure arrives. The signal-caller also needs to manipulate veteran safety Budda Baker enough to ensure he doesn't become too influential.
If Canales can relax his players enough and the home support spurs them on, there's nothing to suggest Carolina cannot be incredibly competitive. This bears more significance when one considers the high-stakes situation facing Arizona, so the pressure is all on Jonathan Gannon's men to produce the goods.
- Prediction: Carolina Panthers win (6-9)
This, much like every game upcoming over the next month, could easily go the other way. But with positivity high and confidence growing around the Panthers, putting a consistent run of good results together isn't out of the realm of possibility.