The Carolina Panthers are without a doubt the weakest team in the NFL going into 2024, especially after their two-win season in 2023.
Nevertheless, they did bolster their roster with the hire of Dave Canales as head coach, as well as through free agency and the 2024 NFL Draft. Reviving Baker Mayfield of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Geno Smith of the Seattle Seahawks is his claim to fame.
Carolina signed guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis as free agents, among other offensive line signings, during the off-season. After drafting Xavier Legette and trading for Diontae Johnson, the Panthers’ wide receiver group appears more talented in the upcoming season.
The Carolina Panthers will have difficult games in every venue, including at home where they don’t have a prime-time match this season. The only game that receives any form of attention is their international matchup in Germany with the New York Giants. Everything else being equal, I believe the Panthers have a chance to surprise the Saints at least once, particularly in their home opener in Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
Carolina won two games in 2023, one in the division against the Falcons and the other against C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans. However, with veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins as a new free agent, things won’t be simple for Atlanta in the upcoming season. It is possible for the Panthers to win one or two of the next four games before their week 11 bye week
It appears like the Carolina Panthers will not be able to win even one of the four games following their bye week. All of them are playing playoff teams, including the Dallas Cowboys, Tampa Bay, Philadelphia Eagles, and Kansas City Chiefs—who won the Super Bowl. That is before to playing two away games against division rivals, the Buccaneers and Falcons, in their second meetings of the season.
Given the Panthers’ difficult schedule following Week 11, there may only be one victory from Weeks 12 to 18. If Carolina suffers significantly before their bye, I am not bullish about them potentially gaining more than a win after, at least on paper. More progress has been made this season with Young under Canales’ attacking guidance.
