2018 Carolina Panthers season

The 2018 season was the Carolina Panthers' 24th in the National Football League and their eighth under head coach Ron Rivera. It was the team's first season without former assistant head coach/defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, who became head coach of the Arizona Cardinals in the offseason and former offensive coordinator Mike Shula, who became the quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator of the New York Giants.[1] The Panthers entered the season hoping to improve or match their 11–5 record from last year. After starting 6–2, the Panthers fell into a 7-game losing streak, failing to improve or match their previous season's record, and were eliminated from playoff contention following a loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 16. Although they went a dismal 1–7 in the second half of the season, the Panthers managed to end on a high note by defeating their division rival New Orleans Saints, 33–14.

2018 Carolina Panthers season
OwnerDavid Tepper
Head coachRon Rivera
General managerMarty Hurney
Home fieldBank of America Stadium
Results
Record7–9
Division place3rd NFC South
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro BowlersMLB Luke Kuechly
G Trai Turner
DT Kawann Short
Team MVPChristian McCaffrey
Team ROYD. J. Moore
Uniform

Draft
Main article: 2018 NFL Draft
2018 Carolina Panthers Draft
RoundSelectionPlayerPositionCollegeNotes
124 D. J. MooreWRMaryland
255 Donte JacksonCBLSU
385 Rashaan GauldenCBTennesseeFrom Buffalo
4101 Ian ThomasTEIndianaFrom Green Bay
4136 Marquis HaynesDEOle Miss
5161 Jermaine Carter Jr.LBMaryland
7234 Andre SmithLBNorth CarolinaFrom L.A. Chargers via Buffalo
242 Kendrick NortonDTMiami

Draft trades

  • The Panthers traded wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin to Buffalo in exchange for Buffalo's third-round selection (85th overall) and the seventh-round selection they acquired from the LA Chargers (234th overall).
  • The Panthers traded their fourth-round selection (123rd overall) and punter Kasey Redfern to Cleveland in exchange for Cleveland's seventh-round selection in 2017 and punter Andy Lee.

Staff
2018 Carolina Panthers staff
Front office
  • Owner – David Tepper
  • President – Tom Glick
  • General manager – Marty Hurney
  • Director of football operations – Bryan Porter
  • Director of team administration – Rob Rogers
  • Director of pro scouting – Matt Allen
  • Senior Director of college scouting – Jeff Morrow
  • Regional Director of College Scouting – Mike Szabo
  • Regional Director of College Scouting – Eric Stokes

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

 Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

  • Strength and conditioning – Joe Kenn
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Jason Benguche

Final roster
2018 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, 17 inactive, 9 practice squad

Preseason
Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.com
recap
1 August 9 at Buffalo Bills W 28–23 1–0 New Era Field Recap
2 August 17 Miami Dolphins W 27–20 2–0 Bank of America Stadium Recap
3 August 24 New England Patriots W 25–14 3–0 Bank of America Stadium Recap
4 August 30 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 24–39 3–1 Heinz Field Recap

Regular season

Schedule
Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.com
recap
1 September 9 Dallas Cowboys W 16–8 1–0 Bank of America Stadium Recap
2 September 16 at Atlanta Falcons L 24–31 1–1 Mercedes-Benz Stadium Recap
3 September 23 Cincinnati Bengals W 31–21 2–1 Bank of America Stadium Recap
4 Bye
5 October 7 New York Giants W 33–31 3–1 Bank of America Stadium Recap
6 October 14 at Washington Redskins L 17–23 3–2 FedEx Field Recap
7 October 21 at Philadelphia Eagles W 21–17 4–2 Lincoln Financial Field Recap
8 October 28 Baltimore Ravens W 36–21 5–2 Bank of America Stadium Recap
9 November 4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 42–28 6–2 Bank of America Stadium Recap
10 November 8 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 21–52 6–3 Heinz Field Recap
11 November 18 at Detroit Lions L 19–20 6–4 Ford Field Recap
12 November 25 Seattle Seahawks L 27–30 6–5 Bank of America Stadium Recap
13 December 2 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 17–24 6–6 Raymond James Stadium Recap
14 December 9 at Cleveland Browns L 20–26 6–7 First Energy Stadium Recap
15 December 17 New Orleans Saints L 9–12 6–8 Bank of America Stadium Recap
16 December 23 Atlanta Falcons L 10–24 6–9 Bank of America Stadium Recap
17 December 30 at New Orleans Saints W 33–14 7–9 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Week 1: vs. Dallas Cowboys
Week One: Dallas Cowboys at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Cowboys 0 0 088
Panthers 0 10 0616

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

In the Panthers' home opener both teams were scoreless in the first quarter. In the second, Cam Newton rushed for a touchdown to score the game's first points. Graham Gano later kicked a field goal to further the Panthers' lead to 10–0. Both teams were again scoreless in the third quarter. Alexander Armah scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter, but the extra point attempt was no good when the ball slipped out of Michael Palardy's hands. The Cowboys later put points on the board with an Ezekiel Elliott touchdown run followed by a two-point conversion by quarterback Dak Prescott, decreasing the Panthers' lead to eight points. The Panthers managed to hold off the Cowboys by forcing a fumble off Prescott in the Cowboys' last offensive drive, winning 16–8.

Tight end Greg Olsen and offensive tackle Daryl Williams left the game early due to injuries.

Week 2: at Atlanta Falcons
Week Two: Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Panthers 3 7 01424
Falcons 3 14 7731

at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

Game information

The Falcons proved too much for the Panthers. With the 24–31 loss, the Panthers fell to 1–1.

Week 3: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Week Three: Cincinnati Bengals at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Bengals 7 7 7021
Panthers 7 14 7331

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

The Bengals were the first to score in the game but the Panthers answered back with a Cam Newton touchdown. Late in the first quarter Andy Dalton threw a pass intended for John Ross but it was intercepted by Donte Jackson. Early in the second Devin Funchess scored a touchdown with a Graham Gano field goal, and Carolina took the lead. Dalton was sacked by Efe Obada and fumbled the ball. Carolina recovered but the call was reversed and the Bengals soon tied the game at 14. Carolina took back the lead with a C.J. Anderson touchdown. In the third Dalton was picked off again, this time by Obada. Cincinnati soon followed a Newton TD with a touchdown of their own, moving to within seven. With less than four minutes to go, Jackson intercepted a Dalton pass intended for Ross. Gano then kicked a field goal making the score 31–21. Dalton's Hail Mary attempt, intended for Tyler Eifert, was picked off by Luke Kuechly. The Panthers won and improved to 2–1.

Week 5: vs. New York Giants
Week Five: New York Giants at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Giants 3 10 31531
Panthers 7 13 01333

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

The Panthers came back after their bye week and took on the New York Giants at home. Carolina went into the third quarter with a 20–13 lead. New York scored a field goal in the third quarter, decreasing the Panthers' lead to four. In the fourth quarter, the Giants scored a touchdown with a two point conversion, followed by a Carolina field goal. With 1:15 to go in the game, the Giants scored on a Saquon Barkley touchdown catch, giving New York their first lead since the first quarter. The Panthers, down 31-30, only had a little more than a minute to try to win. They were able to get in field goal position. With six seconds to go, Graham Gano's 63 yard field goal was good. It was the longest successful field goal in franchise history and Gano became one of only six players to make a kick from 63 yards or longer. The Panthers won 33–31, improving to 3–1.

Week 6: at Washington Redskins
Week Six: Carolina Panthers at Washington Redskins – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Panthers 0 6 3817
Redskins 14 3 0623

at FedExField, Landover, Maryland

  • Date: October 14
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 52 °F (11 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 60,482
  • Referee: Clay Martin
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Charles Davis and Pam Oliver
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Things didn't start off well for the Panthers. Rookie D.J. Moore fumbled on a punt return and Washington recovered. This put the Redskins at a perfect spot to score and they did so. The Panthers had multiple turnovers in the first quarter, giving the Redskins a 14–0 lead by the end of one. The Panthers were able to catch up to the Redskins and had a chance to take the lead late in the fourth quarter. However, on fourth down and 5 at the Redskins 16, Cam Newton's pass for Jarius Wright fell incomplete. With the close loss of 17–23, the Panthers fell to 3–2.
This game saw the return of both Greg Olsen, who had been out with a foot injury since week one, and Thomas Davis, who was suspended for the first four games of the season.

Week 7: at Philadelphia Eagles
Week Seven: Carolina Panthers at Philadelphia Eagles – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Panthers 0 0 02121
Eagles 0 10 7017

at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

  • Date: October 21
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 49 °F (9 °C), partly sunny
  • Game attendance: 69,696
  • Referee: Clete Blakeman
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Charles Davis and Pam Oliver
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

The Panthers were down 17-0 going into the fourth quarter with a seemingly lifeless offense. However, the team scored 21 points in the 4th quarter and beat the shell-shocked Eagles 21–17, improving to 4–2. They sealed the victory after preventing a 4th down conversion by the Eagles in the closing seconds of the 4th quarter. It was the largest 4th quarter comeback win in team history, and the largest comeback in franchise history.[2]

Week 8: vs. Baltimore Ravens
Week Eight: Baltimore Ravens at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Ravens 7 0 7721
Panthers 7 17 3936

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

Carolina and Baltimore went into the second quarter tied at seven. In the beginning of the second, Kyle Love tipped the ball out of QB Joe Flacco's hands, and the ball was recovered by Luke Kuechly. Greg Olsen scored a touchdown for the Panthers. Towards the end of the second, Cam Newton threw the ball into the end zone. Baltimore tipped it but Christian McCaffrey was able to catch it and score. With two seconds to go in the half, Graham Gano kicked a field goal, giving Carolina a 24–7 lead. In the third, Gano kicked another field goal. Alex Collins scored a touchdown for the Ravens making it a 27–14 Panthers lead. Newton scored a touchdown in the fourth but a two point conversion attempt was no good. Gano later made another field goal. The Panthers won 36–21 and improved to 5–2.

Week 9: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week Nine: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Buccaneers 0 14 7728
Panthers 14 21 0742

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

The Panthers went into half time up 35–14. In the third quarter Tampa Bay scored a touchdown making the score 35–21. Carolina and Tampa Bay both scored a touchdown in the fourth. The Panthers won 42–28, and improved to 6–2.

Week 10: at Pittsburgh Steelers
Week Ten: Carolina Panthers at Pittsburgh Steelers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Panthers 7 7 0721
Steelers 21 10 14752

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Date: November 8
  • Game time: 8:20 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 40 °F (4 °C), clear
  • Game attendance: 62,881
  • Referee: Walt Coleman
  • TV announcers (Fox/NFLN): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews, and Kristina Pink
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

In this Thursday night game, the Steelers were too much for the Panthers, as the Steelers' defense sacked Cam Newton five times and returned an interception for a touchdown, while their offense scored on seven of their eight drives under Ben Roethlisberger, who threw for five touchdowns and recorded a perfect passer rating, culminating in a 21–52 loss.

With the crushing loss, the Panthers' three game winning streak was snapped, and they fell to 6–3.

Week 11: at Detroit Lions
Week Eleven: Carolina Panthers at Detroit Lions – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Panthers 7 0 01219
Lions 7 3 3720

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

  • Date: November 18
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 61,999
  • Referee: Clay Martin
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Ronde Barber and Jennifer Hale
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Carolina had a chance to win at the end of the game with a two-point conversion attempt. However, Newton's pass intended for Wright fell incomplete. With the loss, the Panthers fall to 6-4.

Week 12: vs. Seattle Seahawks
Week Twelve: Seattle Seahawks at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Seahawks 0 10 71330
Panthers 3 10 7727

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

  • Date: November 25
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 57 °F (14 °C), partly cloudy
  • Game attendance: 74,002
  • Referee: Shawn Smith
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Burkhardt, Charles Davis and Pam Oliver
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

In a tight contest the Panthers were unable to put away the Seahawks, and lost 27–30. They fell to 6–5.

Week 13: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week Thirteen: Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Panthers 7 0 10017
Buccaneers 10 7 7024

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

  • Date: December 2
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 81 °F (27 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 52,568
  • Referee: Carl Cheffers
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Ronde Barber and Sara Walsh
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

The Panthers, thanks in part to Newton's four interceptions, fell to 6-6. The day after the game, the Panthers announced defensive line coach Brady Hoke and assistant secondary/cornerbacks coach Jeff Imamura had been fired. Ron Rivera would also take over defensive play calling duties, although Washington would retain the title of defensive coordinator.[3]

Week 14: at Cleveland Browns
Week Fourteen: Carolina Panthers at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Panthers 7 10 3020
Browns 7 10 0926

at FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

Game information

With the loss, Carolina fell to 6-7.

Week 15: vs. New Orleans Saints
Week Fifteen: New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Saints 3 3 0612
Panthers 7 0 029

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

The Panthers came into Monday night facing the NFC South champion and playoff-bound Saints. Carolina's defense stifled Drew Brees and the Saints offense for most of the game, forcing three turnovers. Cornerback Donte Jackson had a pick-two on a two-point conversion attempt and fellow corner James Bradberry had an interception. However, the Panthers offense stalled on several drives, including their final one. With the loss, the team's record fell to 6-8.

Week 16: vs. Atlanta Falcons
Week Sixteen: Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Falcons 7 3 14024
Panthers 7 3 0010

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

  • Date: December 23
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 52 °F (11 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 73,722
  • Referee: Pete Morelli
  • TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, Mark Schlereth and Jennifer Hale
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

During the week, the Panthers decided to give backup QB Taylor Heinicke his first NFL start due to Newton's injured shoulder.[4] The Panthers lost 24-10, extending their losing streak to 7 games. Their record stood at 6-9.

Week 17: at New Orleans Saints
Week Seventeen: Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Panthers 13 10 7333
Saints 0 0 01414

at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

  • Date: December 30
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 73,028
  • Referee: Bill Vinovich
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Ronde Barber and Kristina Pink
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

This was the Panthers' only game outside of the Eastern Time Zone during the 2018 season. Kyle Allen made his first start at QB due to injuries. Behind Allen, the Panthers won 33-14. With the win, the Panthers finished the season 7-9 and snapped their 7 game losing streak.

Division
NFC South
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(1) New Orleans Saints 13 3 0 .813 4–2 9–3 504 353 L1
Atlanta Falcons 7 9 0 .438 4–2 7–5 414 423 W3
Carolina Panthers 7 9 0 .438 2–4 5–7 376 382 W1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 5 11 0 .313 2–4 4–8 396 464 L4

Conference
# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV STK
Division leaders
1[lower-alpha 1] New Orleans Saints South 13 3 0 .813 4–2 9–3 .482 .488 L1
2[lower-alpha 1] Los Angeles Rams West 13 3 0 .813 6–0 9–3 .480 .428 W2
3 Chicago Bears North 12 4 0 .750 5–1 10–2 .430 .419 W4
4 Dallas Cowboys East 10 6 0 .625 5–1 9–3 .488 .444 W2
Wild Cards
5 Seattle Seahawks West 10 6 0 .625 3–3 8–4 .484 .400 W2
6 Philadelphia Eagles East 9 7 0 .563 4–2 6–6 .518 .486 W3
Did not qualify for the postseason
7 Minnesota Vikings North 8 7 1 .531 3–2–1 6–5–1 .504 .355 L1
8[lower-alpha 2] Atlanta Falcons South 7 9 0 .438 4–2 7–5 .482 .348 W3
9[lower-alpha 2] Washington Redskins East 7 9 0 .438 2–4 6–6 .486 .371 L2
10[lower-alpha 2] Carolina Panthers South 7 9 0 .438 2–4 5–7 .508 .518 W1
11 Green Bay Packers North 6 9 1 .406 1–4–1 3–8–1 .488 .417 L1
12 Detroit Lions North 6 10 0 .375 2–4 4–8 .504 .427 W1
13[lower-alpha 3] New York Giants East 5 11 0 .313 1–5 4–8 .527 .487 L3
14[lower-alpha 3] Tampa Bay Buccaneers South 5 11 0 .313 2–4 4–8 .523 .506 L4
15 San Francisco 49ers West 4 12 0 .250 1–5 2–10 .504 .406 L2
16 Arizona Cardinals West 3 13 0 .188 2–4 3–9 .527 .302 L4
Tiebreakers[lower-alpha 4]
  1. New Orleans finished ahead of LA Rams based on head-to-head victory.
  2. Atlanta finished ahead of Washington based on head-to-head victory. Atlanta finished ahead of Carolina based on head-to-head sweep. Washington finished ahead of Carolina based on head-to-head victory.
  3. NY Giants finished ahead of Tampa Bay based on head-to-head victory.
  4. 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.

References
  1. http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/22179970/arizona-cardinals-make-carolina-panthers-dc-steve-wilks-new-coach
  2. https://www.panthers.com/news/panthers-complete-biggest-comeback-in-franchise-history-to-beat-eagles
  3. https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/panthers-fire-two-defensive-assistants-after-bucs-loss-ron-rivera-to-handle-play-calling-duties/
  4. https://www.panthers.com/news/taylor-heinicke-to-start-in-place-of-cam-newton-versus-falcons
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