The Carolina Panthers (2-2) find themselves at a crossroads heading into the second month of the 2019 NFL season. While there have been some pleasant surprises along the way, the season is in jeopardy due to some significant injuries to key players like Cam Newton and Kawann Short.
Let’s take a look at the 12 remaining games on the schedule and see if we can discern where things are going.
Week 5: vs. Jaguars (2-2)
Jacksonville offers a mirror for Carolina. Both teams are playing backup quarterbacks and are on two-game winning streaks after starting 0-2. Rookie Gardner Minshew is completing 69% of his passes, has thrown for 905 yards, seven touchdowns and only one interception. The Jags also have a monster pass rush. They rank sixth in the league in sacks. The Panthers should be able to take care of business at home, though.
Week 6: vs. Buccaneers (2-2)
These clearly ain’t the same Bucs that the Panthers have dominated in recent years. Jameis Winston has cut down on his turnovers since Week 1 and he just hung 55 points on the Rams in a road win. Winston’s numbers against the blitz are spectacular, including a perfect passer rating. Tampa has also proven very difficult to run against under Todd Bowles. You can still air it out on them, though and that’s what Kyle Allen will have to do in London.
Week 7: BYE WEEK
Here’s a fun fact for you: the Panthers have never lost a game on their bye week in franchise history. Given how long the injury report is already, this much-needed week of rest and recovery can’t come soon enough.
Week 8: at 49ers (3-0)
San Francisco is one of this year’s big surprises. While Jimmy Garoppolo isn’t doing anything spectacular, the 49ers defense is. They have allowed the third fewest yards and just 18 points per game so far. Their edge rotation in particular has been disruptive. Arik Armstead, Ronald Blair, DeForest Buckner, Nick Bosa and Dee Ford have combined for 14.5 tackles for a loss. Whoever’s playing at offensive tackle (at this point who knows) will be put to the test here.
Week 9: vs. Titans (2-2)
The Titans aren’t very good but they just rolled over a Falcons team that looks dead in the water already. One thing they have excelled at is taking care of the ball – Marcus Mariota hasn’t thrown an interception yet. Tennessee’s real strength is its defense, though. Kevin Byard might be the best safety in the game right now and they have play-makers at all three levels. Facing the Titans on the road won’t be easy but Carolina will have to win at least some road games to make the postseason. Perhaps by this point Cam Newton will be back in the lineup and 100%, or maybe the injury report won’t be the size of a novella.
Week 10: at Packers (3-1)
Aaron Rodgers remains a very dangerous man, but so far Matt LaFleur’s offense has been mostly tepid and uninspiring. Some have even compared it to Mike McCarthy’s. However, he’s been saved by an outrageously improved defense. Preston Smith and Z’adarius Smith have already combined for 7.5 sacks and Green Bay’s investment in the secondary has paid off huge. The Panthers receivers will have their hands full trying to create separation at Lambeau Field. This is one of the toughest games left on the schedule.
Week 11: vs. Falcons (1-3)
By the looks of things, Atlanta has given up on its head coach Dan Quinn after just four games. Critics like Brian Baldinger are saying their defense can’t tackle anymore and their scheme isn’t helping things. On offense, they have as much talent as any team in the league, but Dirk Koetter can’t seem to get the job done. The Falcons have won six of the last seven meetings against the Panthers. This team looks nothing like the contender we’re used to seeing, though.
Week 12: at Saints (3-1)
Even with Drew Brees out due to a thumb injury, the Saints are still rolling on the strength of their defense. They just stifled a potent Cowboys offense, holding them to just 10 points in a home win. Cameron Jordan is still their most disruptive player that the Panthers will have to account for, but linebacker Demario Davis has been a major x-factor for their defense since signing last year. Winning in New Orleans is a tall order, Teddy Bridgewater or not.
Week 13: vs. Redskins (0-4)
During the offseason, we ranked Washington as one of the worst opponents Carolina would face in 2019. So far, they haven’t disappointed. Their offense is bad, their defense is worse and there’s a decent chance that the only team they’re going to beat this year is the Dolphins in two weeks. This should be an easy win for the Panthers at home.
Week 14: at Falcons (1-3)
While they don’t look like themselves right now, we can’t write off the Falcons just yet. Defensive tackle Grady Jarrett is playing out of his mind and represents a challenge for any offensive line. Given how poorly Carolina’s interior linemen have played, that could be a problem. Julio Jones is also finally getting the proper targets in the red zone, so shutting him down will be even harder than it has been. This is a must-win game, either way.
Week 15: vs. Seahawks (3-1)
Seattle has never finished worse than 9-7 during the Russell Wilson era. Considering how much has changed over the years, that’s pretty impressive. They still run the ball entirely too often, but when Wilson is able to let it fly he’s as efficient as any QB in the league. His preferred red zone target this year appears to be tight end Will Dissly, who’s already scored four touchdowns. The addition of Jadeveon Clowney has also given their defensive front seven new life after losing so many key pieces.
Week 16: at Colts (2-2)
Jacoby Brissett is playing much better than anybody expected after Andrew Luck’s stunning retirement. In fact, he’s the only quarterback who has thrown multiple touchdowns in every game this year. Frank Reich is a brilliant play-caller who will offer a serious challenge for Ron Rivera. This is going to be a tough matchup and it comes at a critical time of the season.
Week 17: vs. Saints (3-1)
Finally, Carolina closes out the year at home against the Saints, who have become a sort of final-level video game boss within the division. If they’re still in the race, the Panthers will have to find a way to beat a team that won four in a row against them before last year’s meaningless Week 17 victory. If Ron Rivera can’t crack this particular nut this year, he may be on his way out.
