Tag: Carolina Panthers

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Panthers Prioritize Defensive Overhaul to Fix Run Defense, Pass Rush, and Secondary in 2025

Panthers Prioritize Defensive Overhaul to Fix Run Defense, Pass Rush, and Secondary in 2025
Panthers Prioritize Defensive Overhaul to Fix Run Defense, Pass Rush, and Secondary in 2025

The Carolina Panthers recognize that improving their defense is crucial for a successful turnaround in 2025. General manager Dan Morgan has been vocal about the need for defensive reinforcements following a disastrous 2024 season. In an interview with play-by-play announcer Anish Shroff at the NFL Scouting Combine, Morgan outlined the team’s defensive priorities.

He emphasized the importance of upgrading the interior defensive line, outside linebacker, safety, and cornerback positions. While acknowledging that rebuilding the defense will take time, Morgan expressed confidence that free agency and the draft would help address the team’s weaknesses.

Panthers Must Bolster Defensive Line to Fix Run Defense and Pass Rush

One of Carolina’s biggest issues in 2024 was its inability to stop the run. The Panthers allowed a staggering 3,057 rushing yards last season, the third-highest total in NFL history, averaging 179.8 yards surrendered per game. This lack of run-stopping ability made it nearly impossible for the team to compete.

The absence of Pro Bowl defensive tackle Derrick Brown, who was injured in the season opener, only worsened the situation. However, even with Brown’s return in 2025, the team still needs to bolster the interior defensive line with additional size and strength to prevent opposing offenses from dominating on the ground.

Panthers Prioritize Defensive Overhaul to Fix Run Defense, Pass Rush, and Secondary in 2025
Panthers Prioritize Defensive Overhaul to Fix Run Defense, Pass Rush, and Secondary in 2025

In addition to struggling against the run, Carolina’s pass rush was virtually nonexistent in 2024. The team finished last in the league in quarterback pressure rate (25.5 percent) and total pressures (152). With Jadeveon Clowney as their top pass rusher, the Panthers lacked a consistent edge presence to disrupt opposing quarterbacks.

To improve their defensive front, the Panthers must acquire more playmakers at outside linebacker and defensive end, either through free agency or the draft. Generating more pressure on quarterbacks will be crucial for the team’s defensive success in 2025.

Panthers Must Strengthen Secondary to Compete Against Top Passing Attacks in 2025

The Panthers also face significant concerns in their secondary, particularly at the safety position. Currently, the only safety under contract is former undrafted free agent Demani Richardson, leaving the team with a glaring hole in the back end of the defense.

Additionally, Morgan acknowledged the need for another cornerback to strengthen pass coverage. Without reinforcements in the secondary, Carolina’s defense could continue to struggle against the league’s top passing attacks. Upgrading this unit will be a key priority for the front office in the offseason.

While much of the Panthers’ focus in recent years has been on improving the offense around quarterback Bryce Young, the team must now shift its attention to the defense. The glaring weaknesses in run defense, pass rush, and the secondary have held Carolina back, making defensive upgrades essential for success in 2025.

If Morgan and the Panthers can effectively address these issues through strategic acquisitions, the team could take a major step forward in its rebuilding process. However, without significant defensive improvements, the Panthers may continue to struggle despite any offensive progress.

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NFL (American Football)

Cam Newton reaffirms his statement that the Panthers had a “locker room of losers” before he was drafted

Cam Newton Foresees WNBA Surpassing MLB in Popularity Over the Next 20 Years
Cam Newton (NFL)

Former Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton stood by his earlier comments, stating that the team had “a locker room of losers” before he was drafted first overall in 2011. He called his remarks “aggressive,” but insisted they were “true.”

During Thursday’s “4th and 1 with Cam Newton” podcast, he explained that he was talking about the team’s performance, not individual players.

“When did we become so sensitive?” Newton asked. “When did we become so sensitive to really speaking what the reality is? A locker room full of losers? Aggressive, but it’s true.”

Newton’s remarks came after he appeared on a podcast with University of Colorado’s Travis Hunter before the Super Bowl, where he discussed the pressures Hunter might face if he’s selected first overall in this year’s draft.

Newton told Hunter that he could not impact the game like a quarterback does, and went on to describe his first experience with the Panthers as a team with a losing mentality. “I went into a locker room of losers. Just honest. Guys didn’t know how to win; guys didn’t know how to prepare. They didn’t take themselves serious to realize we was 2-14. There was a lot of 2-14 in the mentality of those guys.”

Many former teammates, including star receiver Steve Smith Sr., didn’t agree with Newton’s comments. Smith, who was part of the 2010 team, expressed his frustration on social media, tweeting, “53 man locker room – 1 = 52 losers. Wow… breaking news to 89” along with an angry emoji.

Carolina Panthers players celebrate after a touchdown

Newton responded on his podcast, saying he had “no quarrel” with Smith and understood his reaction, but he wasn’t changing his stance. “I’m not specifically talking about those guys,” Newton clarified. “I’m talking about the culture that was there prior to me coming into the locker room — and it was a losers’ mentality.”

He explained that the Panthers’ mindset was still struggling in his first two seasons, which ended with records of 6-10 and 7-9. Newton admitted that he had to learn how to win in the NFL. Things improved in 2013 when the team finished 12-4, but it wasn’t until 2015, when the Panthers went 15-1 and made the Super Bowl, that the team truly turned things around. Newton was named league MVP that season.

“Is it me saying that, ‘Oh when I came, I made everything (better)?’” Newton said. “No. I never said that. What I said was if you’re getting drafted No. 1, you’re going to a bad football team. That’s facts. And that’s the point that I was trying to tell Travis Hunter. You see what I’m saying? For me, everybody is so taken aback, like, ‘Oh, Cam said this.’ Bro, it’s the truth. It’s the truth.”

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NFL (American Football)

Bryce Young and Dave Canales inspire optimism for the Panthers’ future in Charlotte

Dave Canales talks to Bryce Young in the 2nd half of the game

Coach Dave Canales was clearly excited about how he called plays for second-year quarterback Bryce Young in the Carolina Panthers’ season finale against the Atlanta Falcons.

His excitement highlighted the significance of the season.

“Being able to call whatever I wanted, knowing he was going to find a positive outcome, he was going to find a throwaway, a big play, a scramble for a touchdown,” Canales said after the Panthers’ 44-38 overtime victory, where Young threw a career-high five touchdowns. “And how freeing that is just to be able to call whatever fits that area, not having to second-guess the calls.

“He gave us the ability to do that today.”

While much of the attention has been on Young’s growth – especially after he was benched following an 0-2 start and returned as the starter in Week 8 – Canales’ development as a first-year NFL coach is just as important.

Canales adjusted his playcalling to meet Young’s needs, helping build hope for the future of a 5-12 team coming off a seventh straight losing season. This also played a key role in making owner David Tepper comfortable enough to enter the offseason with the same coach, general manager Dan Morgan, and quarterback for the first time since 2019.

“Hopefully, that allows Bryce to [say], ‘Look, we’re not looking for perfection. We’re looking for just growth and let’s go for it together. Let’s find the solutions together,” Canales said. “I have loved that we have kind of taken those steps together.”

Players noticed Canales’ optimism when he greeted them at the start of the 2024 offseason workouts and how that optimism stayed strong despite a tough 1-7 start. They also saw how Canales’ growth aligned with Young’s development, turning from a potential bust as the No. 1 draft pick in 2023 into what Canales now calls “our guy.”

Bryce Young runs with the ball in the 2nd half

“That was the reason coach Canales was hired, because he has a unique ability to meet guys where they’re at, really give them an opportunity to show him who they are, and then take what they’ve shown him and really just emphasize what they do well,” wide receiver Adam Thielen said.

“I don’t think I’ve ever really been around a coach that has really just been able to evaluate first and then emphasize what guys are doing. It just shows a sign of a true leader and a guy who knows what he’s doing.”

In his first 11 games, Young threw 11 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. But in his final 3 games, he threw 10 touchdowns with no interceptions, achieving the best TD-to-INT ratio in the league during that period, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.

With Young and the offense improving, Canales can now focus on the defense, which allowed a league-record 534 points this season and ranked near the bottom of the league in most categories.

Canales is confident in defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero and believes that injuries played a big part in the defense’s struggles. Canales quickly confirmed Evero will return, though changes have been made to the defensive staff with the firing of secondary coach Bert Watts and outside linebacker coach Tem Lukabu.

There is still hope for improvement on defense.

“Canales really has something good going,” said inside linebacker Shaq Thompson, who hopes to re-sign and retire with the Panthers.

The return of Pro Bowl defensive lineman Derrick Brown, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 1, along with Thompson’s possible return after an Achilles injury in Week 2, will help strengthen the defense. General Manager Dan Morgan also has $33 million in cap space and 9 draft picks to improve the defense.

But the biggest reason for optimism is the stability the team now has. For the first time in three years, there’s no coaching search, and they have a quarterback to build around.

Dave Canales talks to the reportes after the game

“That’s building a culture, right?” Thompson said. “You can’t build if everything keeps changing.”

Long-snapper JJ Jansen, who has been with the Panthers since 2009 and hopes to re-sign as a free agent, said the team hasn’t had this kind of stability since 2020.

“The biggest element of stability was who coach Canales was every day,” Jansen said. “It exudes calm throughout the building.”

Canales’ decision to bench Young in Week 3 was a crucial part of that stability. It was a choice he felt was best for the team, and in the end, it worked out for both Young and Canales. Young didn’t return to the starting role until Andy Dalton’s injury in an October car accident.

Young now understands Canales’ decision and believes their relationship is strong.

“I trust him,” Young said. “I’m super grateful for [the relationship] … what he means to the team, what he means to the room. Being able to pick his brain has been great and super influential for me, just being able to learn.

“I have a lot of respect for him personally, and just the consistency that he brings, being able to be himself no matter what.”

Canales doesn’t like revisiting the decision to bench Young, but he’s excited about how both of them grew from the experience.

“I love that story,” Canales said. “It is a cool story, and it is kind of the nature of what we’re doing. I’m excited for the progress and for where we are headed next.”

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NFL (American Football)

Drake London Shines as Falcons Keep Playoff Hopes Alive with Win Over Panthers

Drake London Shines as Falcons Keep Playoff Hopes Alive with Win Over Panthers
Drake London Shines as Falcons Keep Playoff Hopes Alive with Win Over Panthers

Drake London had hopes of catching Michael Penix Jr.’s first career touchdown pass, but he ended up being the second player to do so. In a critical game for the Atlanta Falcons against the Carolina Panthers, Penix delivered a 20-yard touchdown strike to London in the back corner of the end zone, putting the Falcons ahead 24-17 with 37 seconds remaining in the first half. This came after Penix had already showcased his mobility earlier, scrambling for a 5-yard touchdown run that tied the game at 10.

Penix, a rookie quarterback who took over for Kirk Cousins in Week 16, had already thrown his first career touchdown pass in the previous game to tight end Kyle Pitts. Despite that first successful pass, the Falcons lost to the Washington Commanders in overtime. With the Falcons fighting for a playoff spot, they needed a win against the Panthers and a Tampa Bay loss to the New Orleans Saints to claim the NFC South title. Penix’s performance, including both his passing and running, was crucial for Atlanta’s playoff aspirations.

Drake London Shines as Falcons Keep Playoff Hopes Alive with Win Over Panthers
Drake London Shines as Falcons Keep Playoff Hopes Alive with Win Over Panthers

In the first half, London had an impressive showing with six receptions for 107 yards, including the touchdown that gave the Falcons their lead. His performance was a highlight of the game, but Penix continued to find success with him in the second half. Midway through the fourth quarter, with 9:50 remaining, Penix connected with London again for a 21-yard touchdown pass. This marked London’s first-ever game with multiple touchdown receptions, solidifying the duo’s growing connection.

Penix’s ability to perform under pressure was evident as he continued to make key plays throughout the game. His first-half touchdown scramble and the second touchdown pass to London in the fourth quarter were testament to his poise and athleticism. For London, this game was a breakout moment, as he became a key target in Penix’s offense and a significant part of the Falcons’ efforts to secure a postseason spot.

Although the Falcons did everything they could on the field, their playoff hopes were still hanging by a thread. The win over the Panthers was necessary, but it wouldn’t guarantee a playoff berth unless the Buccaneers lost to the Saints. Even with the uncertainty surrounding the Falcons’ postseason chances, Penix and London’s performances offered a glimpse of a promising future for the team. Their chemistry and potential were clear, even if the Falcons’ fate remained in the hands of other results.

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NFL (American Football)

Bryce Young Leads Panthers to Overtime Victory Over Falcons with 5 Total Touchdowns in Charlotte

Bryce Young scores in the 2nd half

The Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers share more than just disappointing streaks of seven straight losing seasons.

Both teams in the NFC South believe that Sunday’s season finale showed they have found the quarterback who can eventually bring them playoff success—but just not this season.

Bryce Young threw three touchdown passes, ran for two more, and helped lead a 70-yard drive that ended with Miles Sanders scoring a 1-yard touchdown on the Panthers’ first possession of overtime. This gave Carolina a 44-38 win over Atlanta.

The Falcons’ playoff hopes ended just minutes earlier when Tampa Bay defeated New Orleans.

This loss was a tough blow for Atlanta, which had been in first place in the division at 6-3 before dropping off under first-year coach Raheem Morris. The Falcons finished the season 8-9 after giving up 537 yards to Young and the Panthers, leaving Morris with a sense of frustration.

“I was really fired up about the direction we were going,” Morris said about the team’s strong start. “We took a step back today, a huge step.”

Rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. ended his three-game stint as Atlanta’s starter with a strong performance, passing for 312 yards and two touchdowns, both to Drake London, who set a career-high with 10 catches for 187 yards. Penix also ran for a touchdown.

Bijan Robinson ran for 170 yards and two touchdowns, but the Falcons’ strong offensive showing wasn’t enough to extend their season.

Bijan Robinson celebrates after scoring in the 1st half

Both the Falcons and Panthers (who finished 5-12) last made the playoffs in 2017.

Atlanta needed to win and for Tampa Bay to lose in order to claim the division title. The Falcons were one game behind the Buccaneers but could have won a tiebreaker because they had beaten Tampa Bay twice earlier in the season.

Tampa Bay secured a 27-19 win over the Saints just as the Falcons were preparing to kick off for overtime.

“The main message all week was we come out here and win this game and whatever happens in the other game, you know, we can’t control that,” Penix said. “So we just had to come out here and, you know, dominate and get this win and we fell short of that.”

Penix said he wasn’t watching the Buccaneers-Saints game while on the field, even though the result was crucial for the Falcons’ playoff hopes.

Young, who passed for five touchdowns, including 2- and 10-yard runs, set a career-high in scoring. His three passing touchdowns matched his career best as he completed 25 of 34 passes for 251 yards.

“Everyone understood, you know, we were playing for ourselves,” Young said, adding that coach Dave Canales “talked about finish all week. This is such a great opportunity for us to go and prove what we can do.”

Young, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft, had been benched earlier in the season but now looks like the Panthers’ long-term solution at quarterback.

“Bryce is our quarterback,” Canales said. “I’m so proud of the way that he just took the challenge and he just grew every week.”

Penix went 21 of 38 and threw one interception.

“When you have a quarterback like that, you’re cooking with gas,” Morris said.

But the coach’s mood shifted when he discussed the Falcons’ defense.

“We just were not good enough across the board defensively,” Morris said. “I felt like today we couldn’t turn the corner on defense. … Today is a really disappointing day to end it with that bad taste in my mouth.”

Falcons fans cheered in the second quarter and again at halftime after seeing updates showing the Saints leading the Buccaneers. But as the Panthers picked up momentum in Atlanta, Tampa Bay took control of its game and the division.

Feleipe Franks celebrates in the 1st half

Young’s third touchdown pass, a 9-yard throw to David Moore, gave the Panthers a 31-24 lead late in the third quarter. Penix responded with a 21-yard touchdown pass to London in the fourth.

“He’s a stud, you know, he’s an accurate passer,” Canales said of Penix. “He threw it down the field, hit some really explosive plays. He’s got arm talent. He’s got the right demeanor, you know, the right finish. And I’m looking forward to a lot of great battles against him.”

Carolina regained the lead on Young’s 10-yard touchdown run with 4:01 left in regulation.

Penix then led the Falcons 70 yards on 11 plays, finishing with Robinson’s 4-yard touchdown run to tie the game with 46 seconds left in regulation.

Sanders Makes Strong Return

After placing their top rusher, Chuba Hubbard, on injured reserve on December 28 due to a strained calf, the Panthers activated Miles Sanders from injured reserve after he had been out with an ankle injury.

In his first game since November 10, Sanders rushed for 61 yards, scored the game-winning touchdown, and also caught three passes for 50 yards, including a 33-yard touchdown.

“I’m just happy that I was out there to showcase what I’m capable of and why I should not be on the … side,” Sanders said.

Injuries

Panthers: Cornerback Akayleb Evans (rib) and defensive end A’Shawn Robinson (calf) were ruled out after getting injured in the second quarter. The defense also had two starters inactive: Pro Bowl cornerback Jaycee Horn (hip) and linebacker Josey Jewell (concussion).

Falcons: Cornerback Mike Hughes left the game with a shoulder injury in the second quarter after being checked for a head injury and cleared in the first quarter. Wide receiver Darnell Mooney (shoulder) was inactive, finishing the season with 992 receiving yards. Linebacker JD Bertrand (eye) and cornerback Kevin King (concussion) were also inactive.

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NFL (American Football)

Panthers’ Head Coach Canales Reflects on Team’s Disappointing Achievement in Charlotte

Dave Canales talks to Bryce Young in the 2nd half of the game

Dave Canales is set to be the new head coach of the Carolina Panthers. The former offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is expected to have a big influence on Bryce Young’s development.

Despite a tough first season for Young, who was the No. 1 pick in the draft, Canales has shown potential in guiding players to success. The Panthers struggled last season, finishing with the worst record in the NFL.

This led to owner David Tepper firing former head coach Frank Reich mid-season. Now, they’re bringing in Canales, who, despite having no prior head coaching experience, has shown promise in his one year as a play-caller.

Canales has already proven his ability to improve players’ performances, helping Tampa Bay exceed expectations offensively. With him now in charge, there’s hope he can do the same for Carolina, especially for Young, who had a challenging rookie year.

Last season, the Buccaneers surprised many by securing a playoff victory, even though they were predicted to struggle. Canales was the play-caller for that game.

A major factor in the Buccaneers’ success was Baker Mayfield having the best season of his career, turning from one of the NFL’s worst quarterbacks into an above-average starter. Canales played a key role in developing an offensive system that suited Mayfield’s strengths.

Carolina Panthers players celebrate after scoring in the 1st half

Though 2023 was his first year as an offensive coordinator, it wasn’t Canales’ first time working with a quarterback. In 2022, Canales was the quarterback coach and pass-game coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks.

That year, Geno Smith, who had spent eight years struggling as a backup, surprised everyone with an elite performance. Smith credited Canales for his success, as they had worked together for several years, even when Russell Wilson was the Seahawks’ starting quarterback. This success helped Canales land the job with the Buccaneers.

Canales also spent years working with Wilson, who became one of the NFL’s top quarterbacks during the 2010s. Together, they won a Super Bowl and reached another the following year. Despite his recent success, Canales’ appointment at 42 might be a surprise to some, given the other coaches still available for head coaching roles.

Legendary coaches Bill Belichick and Pete Carroll are still looking for jobs, and Mike Vrabel, the 2021 Coach of the Year, was a strong contender for the Panthers’ role. Offensive coordinators Ben Johnson and Bobby Slowik, considered top candidates, are also waiting for their first head coaching opportunities.

Canales, however, stood out as one of the top new choices before the offseason started. Before accepting the job, Canales told reporters, “This is something I’ve been thinking about for a long time. I have some stuff prepared that I’ve been thinking about for a couple of years.”

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NFL (American Football)

Panthers Name Bryce Young as Starting QB for 2025 Season in Charlotte

Bryce Young rolls out in the 1st half

The Carolina Panthers may not be making the playoffs, but they believe they’ve found their future quarterback.

This is important, especially since general manager Dan Morgan now needs to focus on fixing a defense that had a very rough season.

Bryce Young ended his second season on a high note with 21 touchdowns—15 passing and 6 rushing—over his last 10 starts, including five touchdowns in a 44-38 overtime win against the Atlanta Falcons, who were still fighting for a playoff spot.

It was a big turnaround for Young, who had been benched just two games into the season by first-year head coach Dave Canales. Many people thought the Panthers had wasted their No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft when they moved up eight spots to select Young, the former Heisman Trophy winner from Alabama.

However, Young proved the doubters wrong. He earned back Canales’ trust and gave Panthers fans hope that the team’s seven-year playoff drought could soon come to an end.

“Absolutely, Bryce is going to be our starter moving forward,” Canales said when asked if Young had shown enough to be the franchise quarterback. “He earned that job. He won it. He took it and ran with it.”

Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble wasn’t surprised by Young’s strong finish. He praised him for staying positive and working hard, even through tough times.

“I have hyped him up from the day he got here because we have been seeing that the entire time,” Tremble said. “Now the whole world got to see it, especially being the last game of the year. He ended it on a high note and really let people talk about his quarterback play. He’s elite.”

Young expressed how thankful he was for the second chance, which came after veteran Andy Dalton injured his thumb in a car accident on October 22 and had to give up the starting job.

Jonathon Cooper and Bryce Young in the 2nd half

When asked if he felt vindicated, Young responded, “I don’t know if vindication is the word, but I always try to control what I can control. I just want to be the best version of myself every day and I will continue to chase that… I want to embrace the good and the bad, and that is something that was a theme for this entire year.”

Evero remains as defensive coordinator
Canales confirmed that Ejiro Evero will stay as the defensive coordinator despite the Panthers allowing 534 points this season, breaking an NFL record set by the 1981 Baltimore Colts, who gave up 533 points during their 2-14 season.

The Panthers played one more game than those Colts and allowed an average of 31.4 points per game, which ranks as the sixth-worst in NFL history.

“I’ve played against his defenses and I know what this defense will look like,” Canales said. “And I’m committed to that and Ejiro is committed to that. So it’s about developing the players we brought in and evaluating our schemes and being honest about that, and then seeing who is out there to improve our roster.”

Canales didn’t say if the whole defensive staff would return.

“I love EJ and I love his scheme,” said GM Dan Morgan. “But I have to do my part as well, me and my staff, of putting really good players on the field and adding good pieces. … We will continue to be aggressive. We will be smart, but we will be aggressive.”

Brown recovering
Evero faced challenges after the Panthers traded top pass rusher Brian Burns and cornerback Donte Jackson, lost linebacker Frankie Luvu in free agency, and saw two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Derrick Brown and linebacker Shaq Thompson suffer injuries in the first two weeks of the season.

The Panthers signed edge rusher D.J. Wonnum in the offseason, but he was on injured reserve for the first half of the season.

Bryce Young
Bryce Young (NFL)

The good news for the Panthers is that Brown is expected to return from a torn meniscus in his knee by the start of offseason team activities.

Thompson’s future in Carolina is less clear after he played in only six games over the past two seasons due to injuries. Thompson, a key emotional leader on defense, has been with the team for the last decade.

Horn’s future
The Panthers’ top priority in free agency will be re-signing their only Pro Bowl player, cornerback Jaycee Horn.

Horn has only played in 37 out of a possible 68 games during his injury-prone four-year career, but he’s been a top shutdown corner when healthy. The Panthers are expected to pick up Horn’s fifth-year option and are likely to offer him a long-term deal.

Specialists’ contracts
The Panthers have had a reliable group of specialists over the last three seasons, including kicker Eddy Pineiro, punter Johnny Hekker, and long snapper J.J. Janson. However, all three are set to become unrestricted free agents this offseason.

Pineiro, who has an 88.1% field goal accuracy, is the third-most accurate kicker in NFL history. He could attract a good amount of attention in free agency, despite not having a particularly strong leg.

Draft position
The Panthers finished with a 5-12 record, marking their sixth straight season with 10 losses. They will pick 8th in the upcoming NFL draft.

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NFL (American Football)

With an NFC South title on the line, the Falcons are ready to face the Panthers in Atlanta

Carolina Panthers players celebrate in the 1st half

Sunday’s regular-season finale between the Falcons and Carolina Panthers in Atlanta will be a must-win game for the Falcons.

If Atlanta (8-8) had managed to beat the Washington Commanders last Sunday, they could have secured their first NFC South title since 2016 with a win over the Panthers (4-12).

Now, the Falcons need a win along with a loss from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7) against the New Orleans Saints (5-11) to clinch the division.

At the start of the season, the Falcons didn’t expect to rely on rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. to help them make the playoffs. However, with veteran Kirk Cousins struggling and being benched, Penix has stepped in during the final three weeks of the season.

In the two games since Penix became the starter, the eighth pick in the 2024 NFL Draft has completed 37 of 62 passes for 425 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. His first career touchdown pass came with 1:19 left in last week’s 30-24 overtime loss to Washington, a perfect pass to tight end Kyle Pitts.

Despite the unexpected shift at quarterback, Penix’s experience playing crucial games in January is seen as beneficial for his future.

“We wanted him to be able to go through the process and learn behind Kirk,” Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said of Penix. “He did that for a long stretch, and now his time has come. He’s gone out there, executing and doing a really good job for us.

The whole idea with him is just to keep getting better each week. His job is to go out and win football games. He won one of them and gave us a chance in the other. Now we’re going to try and get our ninth win and finish the season strong.”

Atlanta Falcons players celebrate after the win

Atlanta can’t afford to focus on other teams. The Panthers, who defeated the Arizona Cardinals 36-30 in overtime to knock them out of playoff contention in Week 16, are still dangerous. However, Carolina was beaten 48-14 by Tampa Bay in their last game.

In this matchup of young quarterbacks, Bryce Young has thrown four touchdowns and no interceptions in the past two weeks. The 23-year-old will face Atlanta’s defense for the first time, as he was backing up Andy Dalton during the Panthers’ 38-20 loss to Atlanta on October 13.

“I have a lot of respect for (Atlanta) as a team and a defensive unit,” Young said. “They have a lot of good players; they play well together. We’ve got to do everything we can to put ourselves in a position to execute. We know it’s going to take everything to try and have success.”

In 13 games, Young has thrown for 2,152 yards, 12 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He has also run for four touchdowns.

Carolina has several key injuries, including linebackers Amare Barno (shoulder) and Josey Jewell (concussion), defensive backs Jaycee Horn (hip), Lonnie Johnson (shoulder/neck), and Nick Scott (illness), defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson (neck), and offensive lineman Robert Hunt (knee), all of whom missed practice on Wednesday.

For Atlanta, cornerback Kevin King (concussion) also did not practice on Wednesday.

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NFL (American Football)

Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold’s success highlights the Panthers’ failure to develop quarterbacks

Baker Mayfield throws a pass in the 1st half

Two years ago, the Carolina Panthers had Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold on their roster.

The team decided neither player was good enough to be their franchise quarterback.

The Panthers released Mayfield late in the 2022 season, and Darnold left as a free agent a few months later after both struggled in Carolina.

Mayfield, the No. 1 overall pick in 2018, has made a strong comeback. He is now leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers toward a second consecutive NFC South title. He has put up impressive stats with 4,279 passing yards and 39 touchdowns.

Darnold, picked just below Mayfield in the draft, has found success in Minnesota. He has thrown for 4,153 yards and 35 touchdowns, helping the Vikings (14-2) maintain a nine-game winning streak and compete for the top NFC playoff spot.

Mayfield’s nearly perfect 359-yard, five-touchdown performance in a 48-14 win over the Panthers, and Darnold’s 377-yard, three-touchdown game in a 27-25 victory over Green Bay, show how badly Carolina failed to develop these quarterbacks and give them the right support.

Sam Darnold reacts after being sacked in the 2nd half

Mayfield, in particular, enjoys reminding the Panthers of their mistake, remaining unbeaten (4-0) against Carolina since his departure.

Many of the people responsible for those decisions in 2022 are no longer with the team. Coach Matt Rhule was fired early that season, and interim coach Steve Wilks did not return for 2023.

General manager Scott Fitterer, who traded for both quarterbacks but then let them go, was also fired after three unsuccessful seasons.

Looking for more stability at quarterback, the Panthers decided to move on from Mayfield and Darnold. They traded up in the draft to select Bryce Young from Alabama as the No. 1 overall pick in 2023.

To make this trade, the Panthers gave up wide receiver D.J. Moore and four draft picks, one of which will become the first overall pick in 2024.

Carolina’s failure to recognize the potential in Mayfield and Darnold may have hurt the franchise for a long time. The Panthers will miss the playoffs in 2024, marking their seventh consecutive year without postseason football. Given the current state of the team, there is a good chance that streak will continue.

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NFL (American Football)

The Buccaneers aim to defeat NFC South rival Panthers and strengthen their chances for a playoff spot

Tampa Bay Buccaneers players celebrates in the 2nd half

Coach Todd Bowles doesn’t feel the need to say much to motivate his Tampa Bay Buccaneers for their game against the last-place Carolina Panthers.

The Bucs (8-7) have won eight of the last nine matchups with their NFC South rivals, including the past three with Baker Mayfield as quarterback.

However, it hasn’t been easy for the three-time defending division champions to beat the Panthers (4-11).

With at least a share of first place on the line Sunday, Bowles and his players say they are focused on bouncing back from last week’s tough loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

“We know it’s going to be a tough ballgame. It went overtime last time. They’re coached very well; they play very hard,” Bowles said, referring to Tampa Bay’s 26-23 win in Carolina on December 1.

“We know what’s at stake for us. It doesn’t need to be talked about. Everybody understands that,” Bowles added. “We’ve got to clean up our own mistakes, and we’ve got to play an error-free football game.”

Carolina Panthers celebrates in the 1st half

The Bucs are tied with Atlanta for the best record in the NFC South, but the Falcons (8-7) have the tiebreaker after sweeping the season series between the teams.

To win a fourth straight division title, Tampa Bay needs to win their remaining home games against the Panthers and New Orleans Saints, while Atlanta needs to lose at least once in the last two weeks of the season.

If the Falcons win the division, the Bucs can still make the playoffs by winning their remaining games and hoping the Washington Commanders lose twice.

Mayfield, who has revived his career after being released by Carolina two years ago, described the attitude in the determined locker room.

The Bucs have won four of their last five games after a four-game losing streak put their playoff hopes in danger.

“I keep saying it, this team has the mental makeup of a great team. We just have to continue to fight and find ways to win,” said Mayfield. “If we don’t take care of business, we won’t be in the playoffs.”

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NFL (American Football)

Buccaneers face Panthers in hopes of securing playoff spot

Tampa Bay Buccaneers players celebrate in the 2nd half

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are still in the race for a playoff spot, but they cannot afford any mistakes.

The Carolina Panthers will try to eliminate another playoff hopeful when they play the Buccaneers in Tampa on Sunday afternoon.

“We understand where we are,” said Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles. “It’s great to be playing December football. We just have to take care of ourselves and look up at the end and see where we’re at.”

The Buccaneers (8-7) are tied with the Atlanta Falcons at the top of the NFC South. However, even if Tampa Bay wins all their remaining games, they might not win the division because Atlanta holds the tiebreaker after winning both games against the Buccaneers this season.

“We’re in playoff mode,” said Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield. “We’ve got to take care of business or we have no shot.”

The Panthers (4-11) ended a four-game losing streak last week by defeating Arizona 36-30 in overtime. This victory ended the Cardinals’ playoff hopes.

“It has been my hope all year to build a brand of football that we’re proud of,” said first-year Panthers coach Dave Canales.

Now Canales has the chance to stop his former team. He was Tampa Bay’s offensive coordinator before taking the job with the Panthers.

The Buccaneers won the first meeting with the Panthers this season, 26-23 in overtime on Dec. 1 in Charlotte. Carolina took the lead with 30 seconds left, but a 51-yard field goal by Chase McLaughlin sent the game to overtime, where McLaughlin made a 30-yard kick to win the game.

Mayfield passed for 235 yards in that game, while Carolina’s Bryce Young threw for 298 yards.

Carolina Panthers celebrates in the 1st half

The Buccaneers lost to Dallas 26-24 last weekend, ending a four-game winning streak. That winning streak included three big victories. Mayfield passed for 303 yards in the game against the Cowboys, his highest total in a seven-game stretch.

For the Panthers, six of their last seven games have been decided by six points or fewer, with three of those games going into overtime.

“We’ve got to make sure that our bodies are right for this weekend, especially going down to Tampa, where it’s going to be a little warmer,” said Canales.

In the win over Arizona, Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard ran for 152 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner in overtime. He now has 1,195 rushing yards for the season.

“Just the example of consistency, of hard work, Panthers football, our style, all that stuff, personified,” Canales said. “I know if Chuba was up here, he’d be giving all the love to the big boys up front.”

In the first game against Tampa Bay, Hubbard only managed 43 yards on 12 carries.

The Panthers changed their practice schedule this week. Offensive tackle Taylor Moton (knee) and cornerback Jaycee Horn (hip) were both dealing with injuries and missed practice early in the week.

The Panthers are also monitoring the status of rookie receiver Xavier Legette (hip/wrist), who missed the Arizona game but hopes to play again before the season ends. Canales said Legette was moving well earlier in the week, and the receiver participated fully in Wednesday’s practice, which is a good sign for the team.

The Buccaneers might have safety Jordan Whitehead (pectoral muscle) back on Sunday after spending time on injured reserve.

Tampa Bay will finish the season next week at home against New Orleans, while the Panthers will end their season by playing at Atlanta, which could affect the divisional standings.

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NFL (American Football)

Rush records career-best 3 touchdown passes as Cowboys capitalize on 4 turnovers to defeat Panthers 30-14

Cooper Rush passes in the 2nd half

CeeDee Lamb heard that the Carolina Panthers were favorites to win against the Dallas Cowboys for the first time in nearly two years, but he and the Cowboys proved the predictions wrong.

“It was brought up,” Lamb said with a big smile. “You’re not oblivious to what is being said about your team. … Shoutout to whoever thought the Panthers were going to win, but they got this one wrong.”

The Cowboys made sure to make their statement. Cooper Rush threw for 214 yards and a career-high three touchdown passes, while Dallas forced four turnovers from Bryce Young and sacked him six times, leading to a dominant 30-14 win over the Panthers. This was their third win in the last four games.

Lamb, who played through shoulder soreness, had nine catches for 116 yards, including a 14-yard touchdown reception. Rico Dowdle ran for a career-high 149 yards on 25 carries, becoming the first undrafted running back to rush for over 100 yards in three straight games since Arian Foster in Houston.

Carolina Panthers players celebrate in the 1st half

The Cowboys outgained the Panthers 410-235. Bryce Young, who had shown improvement in recent weeks, completed 19 of 28 passes for 219 yards and had a career-long 83-yard touchdown throw to rookie Jalen Coker. He also ran for a score, but he fumbled twice and threw two interceptions. This dropped his record to 4-21 as an NFL starter.

The Cowboys’ defense stepped up, even after losing cornerback Trevon Diggs to a season-ending injury earlier in the week and suffering a tough loss to the Bengals. They shut down the Panthers, allowing just 1 yard in the third quarter.

“It says that we are not going to give up,” said edge rusher Micah Parsons, who had two sacks. “As long as I’m a part of this unit and we believe in each other. We are fighting for each other at this point. The record is the record, but it’s a special feeling when you can fight for each other.”

Parsons mentioned that the Cowboys’ main goal was to shut down Chuba Hubbard, and they succeeded, holding Carolina’s 1,000-yard rusher to just 32 yards on 10 carries. The Panthers allowed six sacks, the most they’ve given up this season.

“When they put us in this mode where we have to play behind, where we have to throw the ball and flip the field to score some points, we were playing into their hands,” Panthers coach Dave Canales said. “Certainly put us in a brand of football that we don’t really want to play.”

Cooper Rush, filling in for injured starter Dak Prescott, has continued to show improvement. After punting on their first two possessions, the Cowboys scored on six of their next eight. The only exceptions were Rush’s turnover deep in Panthers territory and a missed 70-yard field goal attempt by Brandon Aubrey at the end of the first half.

Lamb had eight catches for 104 yards in the first half as Dallas led 10-0. Late in the second quarter, it seemed the Cowboys were about to extend their lead, but Rush mishandled a snap and fumbled at the Panthers’ 17-yard line. On the next play, Young threw a career-long 83-yard touchdown pass to Coker, pulling the Panthers to within three points with just 31 seconds left.

Cooper Rush and CeeDee Lamb celebrates in the 1st half

That would be the closest the Panthers would get.

The third quarter was all Cowboys. Osa Odighizuwa forced a fumble on Young during Carolina’s first possession of the second half, and the Cowboys capitalized with an 11-yard touchdown pass from Rush to Jalen Tolbert, putting them ahead 17-7.

Later, Rush added another touchdown pass, this time a 17-yard throw to Jalen Brooks, marking the first touchdown of his career.

“Cooper, I thought his touchdown throws were huge,” said coach Mike McCarthy. “He extended the one play and hit JT in the corner of the end zone and that was a huge, huge play.”

Despite the struggles, Canales confirmed that Young will remain Carolina’s starting quarterback next week and said he didn’t see any issues with his QB’s confidence.

“He had a good look in his eyes,” Canales said. “I was looking forward to continuing being aggressive and finding those opportunities down the field.”