2017 Carolina Panthers season

The 2017 season was the Carolina Panthers' 23rd in the National Football League and their seventh under head coach Ron Rivera. During the offseason, the team's notable free agent signings included Matt Kalil, Captain Munnerlyn and veteran Julius Peppers. Peppers previously spent his first eight seasons with the Panthers, appearing in Super Bowl XXXVIII with them. On July 17, 2017, the team announced Dave Gettleman had been relieved as general manager.[1] His predecessor, Marty Hurney, was hired as interim GM a day later. For the first time since 2011, the Panthers did not play the Seattle Seahawks during the regular season. The Panthers rebounded after a disappointing 2016 campaign, where they finished 6–10 and last in the NFC South. 2017 saw the Panthers qualify for the playoffs with an 11–5 record. However, they lost to the Saints 31–26 in the Wild Card round.

2017 Carolina Panthers season
OwnerJerry Richardson
Head coachRon Rivera
General managerMarty Hurney (interim)
Home fieldBank of America Stadium
Results
Record11–5
Division place2nd NFC South
Playoff finishLost Wild Card Playoffs (at Saints) 26–31
Pro BowlersK Graham Gano
MLB Luke Kuechly
G Trai Turner
OLB Thomas Davis Sr.
AP All-ProsMLB Luke Kuechly
G Andrew Norwell
T Daryl Williams
Uniform

Offseason

Signings
PositionPlayerAge2016 TeamContract
OTMatt Kalil27Minnesota Vikings5 years, $55.5 million
CBCaptain Munnerlyn29Minnesota Vikings4 years, $17 million
WRRussell Shepard26Tampa Bay Buccaneers3 years, $10 million
SSMike Adams36Indianapolis Colts2 years, $4.2 million
OLBJulius Peppers37Green Bay Packers1 year, $3.5 million
DTKyle Love30Carolina Panthers2 years, $2.2 million
WRCharles Johnson28Minnesota Vikings1 year, $1.6 million
OGChris Scott29Carolina Panthers1 year, $980,000
CBTeddy Williams28Carolina Panthers1 year, $855,000

Releases
PositionPlayerAge2017 Team
DTPaul Soliai33TBD
FSMichael Griffin32TBD
CRyan Wendell31TBD
WRLaRon Byrd27TBD
DTChas Alecxih28TBD

Draft
Main article: 2017 NFL Draft
2017 Carolina Panthers Draft
RoundSelectionPlayerPositionCollege
18 Christian McCaffreyRBStanford
240 Curtis SamuelWROhio State
64 Taylor MotonOTWestern Michigan
377 Daeshon HallDETexas A&M
5152 Corn ElderCBMiami
6192 Alexander ArmahFB/DEWest Georgia
7233 Harrison ButkerKGeorgia Tech

Notes

  • The Panthers traded their third-round selection (No. 72 overall) and defensive end Kony Ealy to the New England Patriots for New England's second-round selection (No. 64 overall).[2]

Staff
2017 Carolina Panthers staff
Front office
  • Owner – Jerry Richardson
  • general manager – Marty Hurney (Interim)
  • Senior Executive Scout – Don Gregory
  • Director of Player Personnel – Mark Koncz
  • Director of Team Administration – Rob Rogers
  • Director of Pro Scouting – Matt Allen
  • Director of College Scouting – Jeff Morrow
  • National Scout – Mike Szabo

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

 Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

  • Strength and Conditioning – Joe Kenn

Final roster
2017 Carolina Panthers final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

 Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

 Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

 Reserve lists


Practice squad


Rookies in italics
 53 active, 18 inactive, 11 practice squad

Preseason
Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.com
recap
1 August 9 Houston Texans W 27–17 1–0 Bank of America Stadium Recap
2 August 19 at Tennessee Titans L 27–34 1–1 Nissan Stadium Recap
3 August 24 at Jacksonville Jaguars W 24–23 2–1 EverBank Field Recap
4 August 31 Pittsburgh Steelers L 14–17 2–2 Bank of America Stadium Recap

Regular season

Schedule
Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.com
recap
1 September 10 at San Francisco 49ers W 23–3 1–0 Levi's Stadium Recap
2 September 17 Buffalo Bills W 9–3 2–0 Bank of America Stadium Recap
3 September 24 New Orleans Saints L 13–34 2–1 Bank of America Stadium Recap
4 October 1 at New England Patriots W 33–30 3–1 Gillette Stadium Recap
5 October 8 at Detroit Lions W 27–24 4–1 Ford Field Recap
6 October 12 Philadelphia Eagles L 23–28 4–2 Bank of America Stadium Recap
7 October 22 at Chicago Bears L 3–17 4–3 Soldier Field Recap
8 October 29 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 17–3 5–3 Raymond James Stadium Recap
9 November 5 Atlanta Falcons W 20–17 6–3 Bank of America Stadium Recap
10 November 13 Miami Dolphins W 45–21 7–3 Bank of America Stadium Recap
11 Bye
12 November 26 at New York Jets W 35–27 8–3 MetLife Stadium Recap
13 December 3 at New Orleans Saints L 21–31 8–4 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap
14 December 10 Minnesota Vikings W 31–24 9–4 Bank of America Stadium Recap
15 December 17 Green Bay Packers W 31–24 10–4 Bank of America Stadium Recap
16 December 24 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 22–19 11–4 Bank of America Stadium Recap
17 December 31 at Atlanta Falcons L 10–22 11–5 Mercedes-Benz Stadium Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Week 1: at San Francisco 49ers
Week One: Carolina Panthers at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Panthers 7 6 10023
49ers 0 0 303

at Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California

Game information

The Panthers started off their season by making their first return to Levi's Stadium since losing to the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50. Late in the first quarter Cam Newton threw a 40-yard touchdown to Russell Sheppard followed by a Graham Gano field goal. The Panthers scored six more points in the second quarter with two field goals. In the third Jonathan Stewart scored a touchdown, followed by another Gano field goal. With 3:14 left to go in the third quarter, Gano made his third field goal of the day making the score 23–0. Robbie Gould's kick with thirteen seconds to go gave the 49ers their first points of the game. Neither the Panthers or 49ers scored in the fourth quarter, resulting in Carolina defeating San Francisco 23–3. They improved to 1–0.

Week 2: vs. Buffalo Bills
Week Two: Buffalo Bills at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Bills 0 0 033
Panthers 3 3 039

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

In the Panthers home opener, Carolina's defense allowed only three points for the second straight week, and Graham Gano converted three field goals as the Panthers held on to defeat the Buffalo Bills 9–3 to remain undefeated. With seconds remaining in the game, Tyrod Taylor's 4th-and-11 pass sailed off diving rookie Zay Jones' fingertips, costing them the game winning touchdown. The Panthers improved to 2–0.

Week 3: vs. New Orleans Saints
Week Three: New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Saints 7 10 71034
Panthers 3 3 7013

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

The Saints were too much for the Panthers as they handed them their first loss of the season, 34–13. The Panthers fell to 2–1.

Week 4: at New England Patriots
Week Four: Carolina Panthers at New England Patriots – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Panthers 3 14 61033
Patriots 3 13 01430

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Game information

In the first quarter, both Carolina and New England managed to only kick field goals. New England scored the first touchdown in the second quarter. Carolina answered with a touchdown by Fozzy Whitaker which tied the game again. The Patriots later scored with another Stephen Gostkowski field goal. Devin Funchess caught a ten-yard pass from Newton to give the Panthers a 17–13 lead. With four seconds remaining in the half Gostkowski kicked a 58-yard field goal, making the halftime score 17–16. Carolina had the only score in the third quarter with a Funchess touchdown but Gano missed the extra point. The Panthers started the fourth quarter with Cam Newton rushing for a touchdown, increasing the lead to 30–16. New England managed to score twice, tying the game at 30. With seconds left, Graham Gano kicked the game winning field goal. The Panthers won 33–30 (their first win in Foxborough since 1995) and improved to 3–1, which would also be their record against the Patriots since losing to them in Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2004.

Week 5: at Detroit Lions
Week Five: Carolina Panthers at Detroit Lions – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Panthers 3 14 10027
Lions 3 7 01424

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

Game information

Carolina and Detroit were tied with 3 points apiece at the end of the first quarter. Early in the second, the Lions scored a touchdown, making the score 3–10. The Panthers answered back with a Christian McCaffery touchdown, tying the game again. Devin Funchess scored a touchdown towards the end of the quarter, giving the Panthers a 17–10 lead. The Panthers started the second half with Cam Newton throwing a 31-yard touchdown pass to Kelvin Benjamin. Gano later made a 44-yard field goal to extend the lead to 27–10 going into the fourth quarter. Matthew Stafford threw a touchdown a pass to Fells, cutting the Panthers lead to 27–17. The Lions scored again with another Fells touchdown. The Panthers held on and won 27–24, improving to 4–1.

Week 6: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Week Six: Philadelphia Eagles at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Eagles 3 7 11728
Panthers 3 7 6723

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

On Thursday Night Football, both teams wore their Color Rush uniforms. The Eagles beat the Panthers 28–23, and Carolina fell to 4–2.

Week 7: at Chicago Bears
Week Seven: Carolina Panthers at Chicago Bears – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Panthers 0 3 003
Bears 7 10 0017

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

Game information

The Panthers lost for a second straight week by managing to score only one field goal in Chicago. The Bears beat Carolina 17–3, and they fell to 4–3.

Week 8: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week Eight: Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Panthers 7 3 0717
Buccaneers 0 0 303

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

Game information

The Panthers bounced back after a two-week losing streak, and beat their division rivals 17–3. Carolina improved to 5–3.

Week 9: vs. Atlanta Falcons
Week Nine: Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Falcons 10 0 0717
Panthers 0 14 6020

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

This was the Panthers' first game without wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin, who was traded to Buffalo days earlier.[3] In this game, neither team scored in the same quarter. The Falcons were the only team to score in the first quarter, and led 10–0 going into the second. It was vice versa in the second, as Carolina scored two touchdowns for a four-point lead at the half. Atlanta was scoreless again in the third but Carolina scored on two Graham Gano field goals, making it 20–10. Atlanta had the only score of the fourth quarter, but Carolina survived and won 20–17. Their record improved to 6–3.

Week 10: vs. Miami Dolphins
Week Ten: Miami Dolphins at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Dolphins 0 7 7721
Panthers 3 14 21745

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

In this Monday Night Football game, the Panthers beat the Dolphins 45–21 and improved to 7–3.

Week 12: at New York Jets
Week Twelve: Carolina Panthers at New York Jets – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Panthers 3 9 61735
Jets 3 7 71027

at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Game information

In the first quarter Carolina and New York scored only a field goal each. In the second quarter, Cam Newton scored a 1-yard touchdown but Graham Gano missed the extra point. Gano redeemed himself with another field goal, giving the Panthers a nine-point lead. Robby Anderson caught a 33-yard pass from Josh McCown, plus the extra point from Chandler Catanzaro, and Carolina led, 12–10. In the third New York scored a touchdown, and Jets led by 17–12. But Carolina answered with a Jonathan Stewart touchdown and took an 18–17 lead. Early in the fourth Catanzaro kicked a field goal, putting the Jets back on top, 20–18. Later the Panthers blitzed McCown and forced a fumble, which was recovered by Luke Kuechly who recovered it for a 34-yard touchdown. The Jets punted after their next drive fizzled and Kaelin Clay returned it 60 yards, making the score 32–20. Jermaine Kearse scored a touchdown for the Jets, and Catanzaro's extra point cut the Panthers' lead to 5. With 0:21 to go in the fourth quarter, Gano kicked a field goal and Carolina won by a final score of 35–27. The Panthers record improved to 8–3. Their win knocked the Jets and Giants out of playoff contention.

Week 13: at New Orleans Saints
Week Thirteen: Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Panthers 7 7 0721
Saints 7 14 7331

at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Game information

The Panthers and Saints were tied at 7–7 going into the second quarter. Mark Ingram scored a touchdown with a Wil Lutz extra point, and the Saints led by seven. The Saintsd score again to lead by 14. At the end of the second Christian McCaffery scored a touchdown, and with the extra point by Graham Gano, Carolina was down by seven at the half. Alvin Kamara scored a touchdown (Lutz kick) in the third, again increasing New Orleans' lead to 14 points. In the fourth quarter New Orleans scored 3 and Carolina scored 7. The Saints were too much for Carolina and won 31–21. Carolina fell to 8–4.

Week 14: vs. Minnesota Vikings
Week Fourteen: Minnesota Vikings at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Vikings 7 6 01124
Panthers 7 7 10731

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

In a game featuring two of the NFC's best teams, Carolina was able to hold off the Vikings and win 31–24. The Panthers improved to 9–4.

Week 15: vs. Green Bay Packers
Week Fifteen: Green Bay Packers at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Packers 7 7 3724
Panthers 7 3 14731

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

The Panthers spoiled Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers' return by intercepting three passes and winning 31–24. They also improved to 10–4. A few hours after the game ended, owner Jerry Richardson announced he was putting the Panthers up for sale.

Week 16: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week Sixteen: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Buccaneers 3 6 7319
Panthers 3 9 3722

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

  • Date: December 24
  • Game time: 1:00 pm. EST
  • Game weather: 55 °F (13 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 71,463
  • Referee: Jerome Boger
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Ronde Barber and Kristina Pink
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

With the close win, the Panthers clinched a playoff spot for the fourth time in five years. They also improved to 11–4.

Week 17: at Atlanta Falcons
Week Seventeen: Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Panthers 0 7 0310
Falcons 7 0 6922

at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

  • Date: December 31
  • Game time: 4:25 pm. EST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 74,141
  • Referee: Bill Vinovich
  • TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Erin Andrews
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

The Panthers went to Atlanta with a chance to win the NFC South. If Tampa Bay beat New Orleans and Carolina won, the Panthers would win the title. Despite Tampa's victory over the Saints, the Panthers lost 10–22, making the Saints NFC South champions. The Panthers ended the regular season with an 11–5 record.

Division
NFC South
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(4) New Orleans Saints 11 5 0 .688 4–2 8–4 448 326 L1
(5) Carolina Panthers 11 5 0 .688 3–3 7–5 363 327 L1
(6) Atlanta Falcons 10 6 0 .625 4–2 9–3 353 315 W1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 5 11 0 .313 1–5 3–9 335 382 W1

Conference
# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV STK
Division leaders
1[lower-alpha 1] Philadelphia Eagles East 13 3 0 .813 5–1 10–2 .461 .433 L1
2[lower-alpha 1] Minnesota Vikings North 13 3 0 .813 5–1 10–2 .492 .447 W3
3[lower-alpha 2] Los Angeles Rams West 11 5 0 .688 4–2 7–5 .504 .460 L1
4[lower-alpha 2][lower-alpha 3] New Orleans Saints South 11 5 0 .688 4–2 8–4 .535 .483 L1
Wild Cards
5[lower-alpha 3] Carolina Panthers South 11 5 0 .688 3–3 7–5 .539 .500 L1
6 Atlanta Falcons South 10 6 0 .625 4–2 9–3 .543 .475 W1
Did not qualify for the postseason
7[lower-alpha 4] Detroit Lions North 9 7 0 .563 5–1 8–4 .496 .368 W1
8[lower-alpha 4] Seattle Seahawks West 9 7 0 .563 4–2 7–5 .492 .444 L1
9[lower-alpha 4] Dallas Cowboys East 9 7 0 .563 5–1 7–5 .496 .438 W1
10 Arizona Cardinals West 8 8 0 .500 3–3 5–7 .488 .406 W2
11[lower-alpha 5] Green Bay Packers North 7 9 0 .438 2–4 5–7 .539 .357 L3
12[lower-alpha 5] Washington Redskins East 7 9 0 .438 1–5 5–7 .539 .429 L1
13 San Francisco 49ers West 6 10 0 .375 1–5 3–9 .512 .438 W5
14[lower-alpha 6] Tampa Bay Buccaneers South 5 11 0 .313 1–5 3–9 .555 .375 W1
15[lower-alpha 6] Chicago Bears North 5 11 0 .313 0–6 1–11 .559 .500 L1
16 New York Giants East 3 13 0 .188 1–5 1–11 .531 .458 W1
Tiebreakers[lower-alpha 7]
  1. Philadelphia claimed the No. 1 seed over Minnesota based on winning percentage vs. common opponents. Philadelphia's cumulative record against Carolina, Chicago, the Los Angeles Rams and Washington was 5–0, compared to Minnesota's 4–1 cumulative record against the same four teams.
  2. LA Rams claimed the No. 3 seed over New Orleans based on head-to-head victory.
  3. New Orleans clinched the NFC South division over Carolina based on head-to-head sweep.
  4. Detroit finished ahead of Dallas and Seattle based on conference record, while Seattle finished ahead of Dallas based on head-to-head victory.
  5. Green Bay finished ahead of Washington based on record vs. common opponents. Green Bay's cumulative record against Dallas, Minnesota, New Orleans and Seattle was 2–3, compared to Washington's 1–4 cumulative record against the same four teams.
  6. Tampa Bay finished ahead of Chicago based on head-to-head victory.
  7. When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest ranked remaining team from each division.

Postseason
See also: 2017–18 NFL playoffs
Playoff round Date Opponent (seed) Result Record Game site NFL.com
recap
Wild Card January 7, 2018 at New Orleans Saints (4) L 26–31 0–1 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap

NFC Wild Card Playoffs: at (4) New Orleans Saints
NFC Wild Card Playoffs: (5) Carolina Panthers at (4) New Orleans Saints – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Panthers 0 9 31426
Saints 7 14 3731

at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Game information

Carolina looked to beat New Orleans for the first time all season. Carolina's defense played better than in the past games, holding the Saints dynamic running backs to under 100 yards combined. Saints quarterback Drew Brees threw a crucial interception late, but the Panthers comeback fell just short and they lost 26–31. The Panthers ended the Wild Card Weekend with an 11–6 record.

References
  1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2017-07-17. Retrieved 2017-07-17.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. Stites, Adam (March 10, 2017). "Panthers trade Kony Ealy to Patriots to move up a round in 2017 NFL Draft". SBNation.com. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  3. http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/21240301/kelvin-benjamin-carolina-panthers-traded-buffalo-bills
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