What could possibly be worse than having the worst record in the NFL? Ask the Carolina Panthers. How about being the worst team in the NFL and not having the number one pick in the Draft? Ask Carolina. Hell, imagine not even having a pick in the top 31 at all after a dismal season. Now it makes it even more difficult to improve, on top of questioning if your franchise quarterback was the right decision. This is exactly what the Carolina Panthers are facing entering the 2024 season.
2024 Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers look for much improvement from their second-year quarterback Bryce Young. Young had a very forgetful rookie season for the Panthers after being selected number one in the 2023 draft out of Alabama. Not only did Young have a very disappointing rookie season, but he was also being compared to, and in the shadow of Houston Texans quarterback fellow rookie C.J. Stroud. As Stroud was taking the Texans to a surprising playoff birth, Young was struggling to stay afloat in Carolina.
Bryce Young led the Panthers to only two wins in 2023 and was the starter from day 1. His stats reflected the team’s lack of success with an almost 1-for-1 touchdown to interception ratio (11 touchdowns to 10 interceptions). Young threw for over 2800 yards and had a quarterback rating of 33.4.
The Carolina Panthers did make an effort to bring in some weapons for their young quarterback adding receivers Diontae Johnson from the Pittsburgh Steelers and rookie Xavier Legette from nearby Univeristy of South Carolina. The Panthers also signed veteran backup quarterback, Andy Dalton to help mentor their potential franchise quarterback.
Carolina Panthers’ First Five on the Schedule
The Panthers start off their season on the road against divisional opponent New Orleans Saints. Derek Carr is hoping to have a bounce-back year as he leads the Saints in his second season in the “Big Easy.” The Saints finished last season 9-8, tied for first in the division where they conquered the Panthers in both games. With an intense screaming crowd in the Superdome, the Saints are an early 4.5-point favorite.
Jim Harbaugh will lead his Los Angeles Chargers into Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte to take on the Panthers in Week 2. The “Quarterback Whisperer”, Harbaugh looks to unleash young quarterback, Justin Hebert’s full talents. Herbert is entering his 5th year in the league and is looking to get back to his 2021 form where he threw for over 5000 yards. The Chargers should be entering this game as favorites as well.
Week 3, the Carolina Panthers go on the road to face Gardner Minshew and the Sin City Raiders. This may be the best chance of a win for the Panthers in their first five games but a lot of east coast teams struggle when traveling west. The Raiders have star power with Maxx Crosby and Devonta Adams on both sides of the ball. Vegas also has a coach that the players seem to ball out for in Antonio Pierce. He took over the team for the last nine games in 2023 leading them to a winning record in that span (5-4).
In Week 4, the Carolina Panthers come back home to play one of the NFL’s best young Quarterbacks in Joe Burrow. The Cincinnati Bengals come to town and Joe Burrow wants to remind everyone who he is. Burrow is not coming alone, long time teammate Ja’Marr Chase is looking to return as the league’s best QB/WR duo. Barring injury the Bengals should be close to a touchdown favorite against the Panthers.
Last but certainly not least the Panthers have to travel to Chicago to take on the up-and-coming Bears. The Chicago Bears have definitely won the trade that sent over DJ Moore and allowed them to draft Caleb Williams number 1 in 2024. The additions of Keenan Allen and D’andre Swift make the Chicago Bears a very intriguing offense in 2024. Williams should have 4 games under his belt by this time and the talented Bears should be favored in this matchup.
Carolina Panthers First 5 Game Prediction
- Week 1 Panthers @ Saints
- Week 2 Chargers @ Panthers
- Week 3 Panthers @ Raiders
- Week 4 Bengals @ Panthers
- Week 5 Panthers vs Bears
Note*** The Carolina Panthers had two different stretches of 5+ losing streaks in 2023
If you have some extra dough, take the Panthers to start the season 0-5 (+550)
Check out some Top 5 NFL MVP odds
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