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Week-1: Sun, Aug 15 @ IndianapolisL Eason efficient, Ehlinger shines late as Colts beat Panther
Ehlinger, a sixth-round pick out of Texas, began his NFL debut with an interception. But he regrouped and drove the Colts to a tying touchdown capped by his 2-point conversion run. Carolina's Joey Slye converted field goals from 29, 28 and 41 yards.
Week-2: Sat, Aug 21: vs Baltimore L Ravens tie NFL record with 19th straight preseason win, 20-3
Tyler Huntley threw for 187 yards for the Ravens, who equaled the mark set by Vince Lombardi's Green Bay Packers, who had a 19-game winning streak in exhibitions from 1959 to 1962. Sam Darnold had his first action at quarterback for Carolina, but left after one seven-play series.
Week-3: Fri, Aug 27: vs Pittsburgh W Darnold throws 2 TDs, Panthers smother Steelers backups 34-9
Darnold, who has seen most of his action in joint practices rather than games this preseason, spent much of the first quarter under duress despite playing against a defense resting all of its starters. Steelers QB Dwayne Haskins started and struggled, completing just 9 of 16 passes for 108 yards with one interception and one late touchdown
Regular Season (5 - 5) Week-1: Sun, Sep 12 vs New York Jets W Darnold, defense lead Panthers past Jets 19-14 in opener.
Darnold maintained his even-keeled persona after throwing for 279 yards and a touchdown and running for another score. Sam Darnold, acquired from the Jets for three draft picks this past offseason. Six different players were in sacks for the Panthers. New York Jets Zach Wilson kept battling, though and finished 20 of 37 for 258 yards with two touchdown passes to Cory Davis in his first career start.
Week-2: Sun, Sep 19 vs New Orleans W Darnold throws 2 TDs, Panthers D dominates Saints 26-7
With an effective running game led by Christian McCaffrey, a reliable set of wide receivers that includes D.J. Moore and defense that is playing lights-out, Darnold is off to a 2-0 start as Carolina's starting quarterback. Carolina's defense held Alvin Kamara to 5 yards on eight carries as the Saints struggled with five of the team's offensive coaches out because of COVID-19 protocols.
Week-3: Thu, Sep 23 @ Houston W Texans done in by inability to run ball in loss to Panthers
Carolina's top-ranked defense sacked Mills four times and held him to 168 yards passing. Mills was pressed into action after Tyrod Taylor suffered a hamstring injury last Sunday and was placed on injured reserve. Mills threw for a touchdown and avoided big mistakes after he threw an interception in the second half of Sunday's loss at Cleveland. But the Texans (1-2) finished with just 42 yards on the ground, and that forced Mills into tough down-and-distance situations as Houston punted six times.
Week-4: Sun, Oct 3 @ Dallas L Elliott, Cowboys run over top defense, beat Panthers 36-28
Darnold had two rushing touchdowns to become the first NFL quarterback with at least five TDs on the ground in the first four games. Elliott carried 20 times for 143 yards in the two-time rushing champion's first triple-digit game of the season, Dak Prescott threw four touchdown passes and the Cowboys beat the Panthers 36-28 on Sunday.The Cowboys sacked Darnold five times.
Week-5: Sun, Oct 10 vs Philadelphia L Hurts runs for 2 TDs, Eagles come back to top Panthers 21-18
Hurts finished with 198 yards on 22 of 37 passing and ran for 30 yards on nine carries, while DeVonta Smith had seven catches for 77 yards and a 2-point conversion for the Eagles. Darnold finished 21 of 37 for 177 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions.
Week-6: Sun, Oct 17 vs Minnesota L Cousins throws TD pass in OT; Vikings beat Panthers 34-28
Kirk Cousins threw for 373 yards and three touchdowns against the league's top-ranked pass defense, including a 27-yard touchdown pass to K.J. Osborn on the first possession of overtime. Carolina's Sam Darnold finished 17 of 41 for 207 yards with one touchdown and two turnovers and nearly pulled off a wild comeback.The Panthers are 3-0 with Christian McCafffrey in the lineup and 0-3 without him.
Week-7: Sun, Oct 24 @ New York Giants L Jones passing and catching, Giants D spark win over Panthers 25 - 3
The catch was a hot topic. Jones, who finished 23 of 33 for 203 yards with six carries for 30 yards. Darnold, traded to Carolina in the offseason, was lifted in the fourth quarter after hitting 16 of 25 passes for 111 yards and the pick. PJ Walker finished up.
Week-8: Sun, Oct 31 @ Atlanta W Defense shines, Panthers snap skid by beating Falcons 19-13
Carolina's defense Totally stuffed Matt Ryan and the Falcons, who managed a measly 213 yards total offense. Darnold threw for a mere 129 yards on 13 of 24 completions. Atlanta (3-4) had won two straight games, only to squander a chance to climb above .500 for the first time since 2017.
Week-9: Sun, Nov 7 vs New Engiand L Pats shut down Darnold, Panthers, cruise to 24-6 victory
New England's defense intercepted Darnold on three consecutive possessions in the second half. Belichick is 4-0 against Darnold, and the quarterback has thrown nine interceptions and one touchdown pass in those outings. McCaffrey had 14 carries for 52 yards and caught four passes for 54 yards, but the Panthers have only scored one touchdown in the past three games.
Week-10: Sun, Nov 14 @ Arizona W Superman's sequel: Newton leads Panthers over Cards 34-10
Newton was saved for mostly short-yardage situations. The 32-year-old provided a flashback to his MVP days in his second debut with the Panthers, throwing for one touchdown, running for another. P.J. Walker completed 22 of 29 passes for 167 yards.Backup Colt McCoy, who was playing a second straight game for the injured Kyle Murray.
Week-11: Sun, Nov 21 vs Washington (3 - 6) Week-12: Sun, Nov 28 @ Miami Week-13: Bye Week Week-14: Sun, Dec 12 vs Atlanta Week-15: Sun, Dec 19 @ Buffalo Week-16: Sun, Dec 26 vs Tampa Bay Week-17: Sun, Jan 2 @ New Orleans Week-18: Sun, Jan 9 @ Tampa Bay
NFL Power Rankings Week 11: 1-32 poll, plus we identify each team's most important remaining game
#17 Carolina (5 - 5): I easily could have gone with one or both of two games against NFC South rival Tampa Bay in the final month of the season, since Carolina likely will need to win one to make the playoffs. I went with Washington because the Panthers have lost three straight at home and must take care of business at Bank of America Stadium to make the Bucs games meaningful. This will be emotional because it's the return of former Carolina coach Ron Rivera and Cam Newtons return as the starter. A dud here would be a huge blow following a big win on Sunday at Arizona.
Week-1: Sun, Aug 15 @ IndianapolisL Eason efficient, Ehlinger shines late as Colts beat Panther
Ehlinger, a sixth-round pick out of Texas, began his NFL debut with an interception. But he regrouped and drove the Colts to a tying touchdown capped by his 2-point conversion run. Carolina's Joey Slye converted field goals from 29, 28 and 41 yards.
Week-2: Sat, Aug 21: vs Baltimore L Ravens tie NFL record with 19th straight preseason win, 20-3
Tyler Huntley threw for 187 yards for the Ravens, who equaled the mark set by Vince Lombardi's Green Bay Packers, who had a 19-game winning streak in exhibitions from 1959 to 1962. Sam Darnold had his first action at quarterback for Carolina, but left after one seven-play series.
Week-3: Fri, Aug 27: vs Pittsburgh W Darnold throws 2 TDs, Panthers smother Steelers backups 34-9
Darnold, who has seen most of his action in joint practices rather than games this preseason, spent much of the first quarter under duress despite playing against a defense resting all of its starters. Steelers QB Dwayne Haskins started and struggled, completing just 9 of 16 passes for 108 yards with one interception and one late touchdown
Regular Season (5 - 6)
Week-1: Sun, Sep 12 vs New York Jets W Darnold, defense lead Panthers past Jets 19-14 in opener.
Darnold maintained his even-keeled persona after throwing for 279 yards and a touchdown and running for another score. Sam Darnold, acquired from the Jets for three draft picks this past offseason. Six different players were in sacks for the Panthers. New York Jets Zach Wilson kept battling, though and finished 20 of 37 for 258 yards with two touchdown passes to Cory Davis in his first career start.
Week-2: Sun, Sep 19 vs New Orleans W Darnold throws 2 TDs, Panthers D dominates Saints 26-7
With an effective running game led by Christian McCaffrey, a reliable set of wide receivers that includes D.J. Moore and defense that is playing lights-out, Darnold is off to a 2-0 start as Carolina's starting quarterback. Carolina's defense held Alvin Kamara to 5 yards on eight carries as the Saints struggled with five of the team's offensive coaches out because of COVID-19 protocols.
Week-3: Thu, Sep 23 @ Houston W Texans done in by inability to run ball in loss to Panthers
Carolina's top-ranked defense sacked Mills four times and held him to 168 yards passing. Mills was pressed into action after Tyrod Taylor suffered a hamstring injury last Sunday and was placed on injured reserve. Mills threw for a touchdown and avoided big mistakes after he threw an interception in the second half of Sunday's loss at Cleveland. But the Texans (1-2) finished with just 42 yards on the ground, and that forced Mills into tough down-and-distance situations as Houston punted six times.
Week-4: Sun, Oct 3 @ Dallas L Elliott, Cowboys run over top defense, beat Panthers 36-28
Darnold had two rushing touchdowns to become the first NFL quarterback with at least five TDs on the ground in the first four games. Elliott carried 20 times for 143 yards in the two-time rushing champion's first triple-digit game of the season, Dak Prescott threw four touchdown passes and the Cowboys beat the Panthers 36-28 on Sunday.The Cowboys sacked Darnold five times.
Week-5: Sun, Oct 10 vs Philadelphia L Hurts runs for 2 TDs, Eagles come back to top Panthers 21-18
Hurts finished with 198 yards on 22 of 37 passing and ran for 30 yards on nine carries, while DeVonta Smith had seven catches for 77 yards and a 2-point conversion for the Eagles. Darnold finished 21 of 37 for 177 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions.
Week-6: Sun, Oct 17 vs Minnesota L Cousins throws TD pass in OT; Vikings beat Panthers 34-28
Kirk Cousins threw for 373 yards and three touchdowns against the league's top-ranked pass defense, including a 27-yard touchdown pass to K.J. Osborn on the first possession of overtime. Carolina's Sam Darnold finished 17 of 41 for 207 yards with one touchdown and two turnovers and nearly pulled off a wild comeback.The Panthers are 3-0 with Christian McCafffrey in the lineup and 0-3 without him.
Week-7: Sun, Oct 24 @ New York Giants L Jones passing and catching, Giants D spark win over Panthers 25 - 3
The catch was a hot topic. Jones, who finished 23 of 33 for 203 yards with six carries for 30 yards. Darnold, traded to Carolina in the offseason, was lifted in the fourth quarter after hitting 16 of 25 passes for 111 yards and the pick. PJ Walker finished up.
Week-8: Sun, Oct 31 @ Atlanta W Defense shines, Panthers snap skid by beating Falcons 19-13
Carolina's defense Totally stuffed Matt Ryan and the Falcons, who managed a measly 213 yards total offense. Darnold threw for a mere 129 yards on 13 of 24 completions. Atlanta (3-4) had won two straight games, only to squander a chance to climb above .500 for the first time since 2017.
Week-9: Sun, Nov 7 vs New Engiand L Pats shut down Darnold, Panthers, cruise to 24-6 victory
New England's defense intercepted Darnold on three consecutive possessions in the second half. Belichick is 4-0 against Darnold, and the quarterback has thrown nine interceptions and one touchdown pass in those outings. McCaffrey had 14 carries for 52 yards and caught four passes for 54 yards, but the Panthers have only scored one touchdown in the past three games.
Week-10: Sun, Nov 14 @ Arizona W Superman's sequel: Newton leads Panthers over Cards 34-10
Newton was saved for mostly short-yardage situations. The 32-year-old provided a flashback to his MVP days in his second debut with the Panthers, throwing for one touchdown, running for another. P.J. Walker completed 22 of 29 passes for 167 yards.Backup Colt McCoy, who was playing a second straight game for the injured Kyle Murray.
Week-11: Sun, Nov 21 vs Washington L Heinicke, Washington spoil Newton's homecoming 27-21
Taylor Heinicke who upstaged Cam Newton by throwing for 206 yards and three touchdowns against the league's top-ranked pass defense, helping Washington spoil the 2015 MVP's return to Bank of America Stadium. Newton has now lost nine straight starts with the Panthers dating to the 2018 season.
Week-12: Sun, Nov 28 @ Miami (4 - 7) Week-13: Bye Week Week-14: Sun, Dec 12 vs Atlanta Week-15: Sun, Dec 19 @ Buffalo Week-16: Sun, Dec 26 vs Tampa Bay Week-17: Sun, Jan 2 @ New Orleans Week-18: Sun, Jan 9 @ Tampa Bay