After a historic 15-1 record in a 2015 season where the Panthers reached the Super Bowl, they were an early favorite to be a dominant force in the 2016 NFC. Injuries and regression plagued the team, while their rivals, the Falcons, enjoyed a Super Bowl season, resulting in a loss to the Patriots in Super Bowl 51. The Panthers finished last in the NFC South with a 6-10 record, putting them in good position for the draft, which helped numb the pain of snapping their playoff streak. Veterans Captain Munnerlyn and Julius Peppers have returned to their roots with the team, while electric rookie running back Christian McCaffrey and wideout Curtis Samuel add support to star QB Cam Newton’s offense. Can these weapons bring the Panthers back to greatness?

Week 1

Panthers @ 49ers

A team without any real direction, San Francisco is an easy target for the Panthers first game. This inexperienced offense will give the Panthers reinvigorated secondary a chance to flex their muscles. Panthers win easily, 27-10.

Predicted Record: 1-0

Week 2

Panthers vs. Bills

The first game at Bank of America stadium should be no struggle for the Panthers. Having just traded away the number one WR Sammy Watkins, the Bills appear to be in a rebuilding phase. Panthers will roll against an offense that has trouble moving the ball, winning 17-7.

Predicted Record: 2-0

Week 3

Panthers vs. Saints

Drew Brees will be the first QB threat the Panthers will see in 2017, leading a high powered offense, and likely on his way to another 5,000-yard season._­ Both of the teams will run up and down the field, but Carolina will survive the first shootout of the season, narrowly winning 35-31.

Predicted Record: 3-0

Week 4

Panthers @ Patriots

This season, defeating New England will be a tall order for any team, as they are riding the high of their Super Bowl victory. Although the Panthers will fight in the trenches, they will fall for their first L, losing in Foxborough 24-14.

Predicted Record: 3-1

Week 5

Panthers @ Lions

This week provides an interesting match-up for large first and second option WRs Kelvin Benjamin and Devin Funchess. In 2016, the Lions had horrible defense against the pass, both short balls and deep shots. Panthers win exploiting the deep ball against smaller cornerbacks, winning handily 31-10.

Projected Record: 4-1

Week 6

Panthers vs. Eagles

A stud of the 2016 rookie class, Eagles QB Carson Wentz looks to be a proven and athletic QB ready to make some noise in this league. A great number one option at WR is Alshon Jeffery, who will test sophomore CB James Bradberry, who as of this article has started looking like a proven vet at training camp and preseason. Confidence will be high for both teams, and Philadelphia will take Carolina to the wire, with Carolina winning 24-20.

Projected Record: 5-1

Week 7

Panthers @ Bears

With little to explain here, this will be brief. Chicago has potential to be the worst team in the NFL this season, providing the Panthers with their best opportunity for a shutout. The Panthers experienced linebacker duo MLB Luke Kuechly and weakside LB Thomas Davis Sr. will lead the Panthers defense in obliterating Chicago. Panthers win 21-3.

Projected Record: 6-1

Week 8

Panthers @ Buccaneers

Tampa Bay inarguably got one of the best picks of the drafts in Alabama TE OJ Howard, whose talent will translate almost instantly to the NFL. Combine him with former Redskins wideout Desean Jackson and Jameis Winston has several deep threats. With the Panthers lack of a talented safety other than seasoned vet Kurt Coleman, Howard in particular will challenge the Panthers, who will lose on the road the 2nd time, falling 23-14.

Projected Record: 6-2

Week 9

Panthers vs. Falcons

In one of the more controversial picks on the list, the Panthers win this game. The Falcons could go 11-5 or 12-4, or they could experiment a Super Bowl hangover á la the 2016 Panthers. In recent history, even 2015, the Panthers generally win in Charlotte. For example, during the Super Bowl run they blew out Atlanta 38-0. With a secondary much better equipped to defend a top three WR in Julio Jones, the Panthers will win their second shootout of the year 42-38.

Projected Record: 7-2

Week 10

Bye Week

Week 11

Panthers vs. Dolphins

No one will say Cutler is an upgrade to Tannehill, but Miami still possesses a dynamic offense. Bank of America still provides strong home field advantage, so the Panthers will win this one throwing over the middle, while Cam will stretch the field and his legs. SS Mike Adams will be tested, but the defensive line will shatter the Miami O-line. Carolina removes the possibility of a below-.500 season, winning 28-20.

Projected Record: 8-2

Week 12

Panthers @ Jets

The Jets are terrible. It cannot be put more bluntly. Often in the basement of the league, the Jets defense will not be able to stand up against big targets Kelvin Benjamin and top target TE Greg Olsen. Panthers win 31-0.

Projected Record: 9-2

Week 13

Panthers @ Saints

Carolina will not be able to beat Brees and his speedy receivers the same way twice. I foresee another shootout, and if history repeats itself this will be a gold opportunity for NOLA to split the year with Carolina. Carolina fails to strike early, although drawing close at the end, lose 37-31 in the Superdome.

Projected Record: 9-3

Week 14

Panthers vs. Vikings

After Carolina clearly was not going to repeat their success, the Vikings appeared to be in position to win their division and possibly the conference. Once WR Stefon Diggs slowed down and did not continue his early performance, the Vikings regressed heavily with problems on both sides of the ball. Panthers hold it down in Sweet Caroline, winning 30-16.

Projected Record: 10-3

Week 15

Panthers vs. Packers

The Packers are a consistently successful franchise who famously “ran the table” last year, getting hot at the end to win the division. It’s very likely this success will continue into 2017 as they have not lost key players, and future Hall of Fame QB Aaron Rodgers will scramble and sling Hail Marys that the Panthers will not be able to handle. Panthers lose at home for the first time, 35-17.

Projected Record: 10-4

Week 16

Panthers vs. Buccaneers

The Panthers will be flustered after their loss the previous week, but Tampa will not be able to complete the sweep. The secondary will motivate the rest of the defense, and the Panthers will win the last home game of the season, 27-17.

Projected Record: 11-4

Week 17

Panthers @ Falcons

The Falcons will be vying for the division title against the Panthers, and this game could be a decider. Matty Ice and Atlanta hold it down in Georgia, but are still down one game to the Panthers, winning 42-40 in an electric final regular season game.

Projected Record: 11-5

Home Record: 7-1

Away Record: 4-4