The Carolina Panthers are turning in much-improved performances of late. They aren't winning them all, but it's something head coach Dave Canales can point to as a legitimate positive from his first season at the helm.
Carolina once again came within touching distance of victory in Week 13 before faltering late versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. If their defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs was accepted, this one was more frustrating after individual errors and a controversial officiating call caused their demise.
Canales was confident it wouldn't be long before the Panthers became more competitive. They've proven capable of hanging with anybody when things are clicking. However, this is a young team still learning what it takes to win close games. That's the next big challenge facing this group in pursuit of taking the next step.
The Panthers are winning back respect gradually. That won't suffice for much longer after setting a completely new standard for themselves in recent weeks. But if they finish the campaign strongly and general manager Dan Morgan recruits effectively in 2025, optimism will only grow about the team's hopes moving forward.
That's for the future. For now, we took a look at how the Panthers could fare over their next four games with the team sitting at 3-9.
Predicting the Carolina Panthers' next four games after 3-9 start
Carolina Panthers at Eagles - Week 14
- Date: Sunday, December 8
- Time: 1.00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Lincoln Financial Field
- TV channel: FOX
Dave Canales will get a good measuring stick of where the Carolina Panthers are right now and what more might be needed this weekend. Their daunting trip to the Philadelphia Eagles represents a stern test of their credentials. They are heavy underdogs for a reason.
The Eagles are on a tear right now. They've won their last eight after recovering from an indifferent start. Philadelphia's young defense is razor sharp and running back Saquon Barkley is on course to break the NFL's rushing record if he keeps up his astonishing performance levels down the stretch.
That's not all. There's also the presence of quarterback Jalen Hurts, a dominant offensive line, the wide receiver duo of A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, and productive tight end Dallas Goedert to counteract. Couple this with entering Lincoln Financial Field - one of the league's most intimidating environments - and it's not hard to see where the complications could emerge.
- Prediction: Carolina Panthers loss (3-10)
The Panthers have more momentum than at any stage during the campaign. But this is a bridge too far unless the Eagles play down to their competition.
Carolina Panthers vs. Cowboys - Week 15
- Date: Sunday, December 15
- Time: 1.00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Bank of America Stadium
- TV channel: FOX
This is a tough one to call.
The Carolina Panthers entertain the Dallas Cowboys at Bank of America Stadium in Week 15. It's a chance to take another notable scalp on home soil and inspire confidence this downtrodden franchise can pick itself off the canvas in the coming years. But taking the NFC East outfit lightly is not an option.
Things looked bleak for the Cowboys a few short weeks ago. Their offseason hype amounted to nothing and they were languishing among the league's bottom feeders. All hope seemed lost for head coach Mike McCarthy, but he's starting to see signs of life in his squad over the last fortnight.
Dallas caused an upset at the Washington Commanders before disposing of the New York Giants last time out. All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons was in a bullish mood regarding the team's wildcard hopes, although that seems like a pipedream considering their deficit right now.
That's of no consequence to the Panthers. They're treading water with a top-five draft selection staring them in the face once again. But if Dave Canales' squad doesn't get their confidence obliterated at the Philadelphia Eagles, they'll fancy their chances in this one.
The Cowboys are not the force of old. They are missing star quarterback Dak Prescott, their offensive line is regressing considerably, and the defense is soft up the middle against the run. This is something the Panthers can exploit, especially if second-round rookie Jonathon Brooks is ready for a heftier workload by this point.
Brooks flashed when called upon versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and got more work than his long-awaited debut. Setting the tone is crucial, which comes by winning in the trenches and running the football to control the clock.
- Prediction: Carolina Panthers win (4-10)
If the Panthers have a legitimate 1-2 punch at running back, the better their chances will be. And if stud cornerback Jaycee Horn restricts wide receiver CeeDee Lamb's influence, Carolina has a shot.
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 round off their home slate with a game against the Arizona Cardinals just before Christmas. It's a chance for this squad to thank fans for their support throughout the campaign and to send them home with plenty of festive cheer.
Easier said than done, but not impossible by any stretch. The Cardinals lost the top spot in the NFC West to the Seattle Seahawks after suffering a late loss against the red-hot Minnesota Vikings in Week 13. Although this was a blow, they still have a shot at winning the division with a strong finish.
Jonathan Gannon's men cannot afford any slip-ups against the Panthers. This looks like a good matchup for quarterback Kyler Murray and running back James Conner, who'll look to exploit Carolina's league-worst run defense early and often in this one.
Who comes out on top in the matchup between cornerback Jaycee Horn and rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. will go a long way to determining the overall outcome. The Panthers also need a concise plan to restrict the influence of promising tight end Trey McBride, who's got 781 receiving yards from 73 receptions already this season.
This could come down to pressure. It's the business end of the campaign, after all.
The Panthers have none of that with another losing season already confirmed. They can play with a sense of freedom and relax in pursuit of victory. That is not the case with the Cardinals, who'll be feeling the strain with things expected to go down to the wire.
- Prediction: Carolina Panthers loss (4-11)
It could go either way, especially if the Cardinals bounce back from their late collapse versus the Vikings. But looking at the run defense of Carolina coupled with the exceptional ability to gain yards on the ground of Conner and Murray, don't be surprised if this proves too much for the Panthers to overcome.
Carolina Panthers at Buccaneers - Week 17
- Date: Sunday, December 29
- Time: 1.00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Raymond James Stadium
- TV channel: CBS
The Carolina Panthers came out of their home tie against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with credit. Costly errors and frail defense ended up being their demise, but taking them to overtime represented another moral triumph amid the doom and gloom.
Once the Panthers find ways to win close games through resolve and the right mindset, it won't be much longer before Carolina begins surging up peoples' perceptions. Until then, they have to learn on the fly.
There is a chance for head coach Dave Canales to gain revenge on his former employers before the campaign concludes. The Panthers travel to Raymond James Stadium in Week 17, which is the first chance he's had to go back since accepting the top job in Carolina.
The Panthers coped well with almost everything the Buccaneers threw at them last weekend. Bryce Young took another leap forward with a masterful performance in a high-pressure situation. If the signal-caller continues to develop in the weeks leading up to this one, Tampa Bay will have a sense of trepidation.
Not since Young's college days has the fear factor been attached to his on-field production. The poise and conviction with which he's gone about his business since being reintroduced into the starting lineup have the Panthers believing they can compete in any game with his presence under center. Something that's bolstering his hopes of another opportunity in 2025 along the way.
Much like the situation versus the Arizona Cardinals, the pressure will be on Carolina's opponents. The Buccaneers are right in the thick of things with the Atlanta Falcons for the NFC South championship. It's a fine margins situation made worse by the fact only one team from the division is going to make it. Either could genuinely attain the crown right now.
- Prediction: Carolina Panthers loss (4-12)
Carolina can take great heart from the way they performed during their first meeting against the Buccaneers. Losing cannot be completely dismissed, especially with Tampa Bay aiming to make a big push for the postseason.