CAROLINA PANTHERS
2021 Record - 5-12-0
Head Coach - Matt Rhule
New Additions - Baker Mayfield (QB), Rashard Higgins (WR), Johnny Hekker (P), Bradley Bozeman (OL), Matt Ioannidis (DL), Xaiver Woods (DB), Austin Corbett (OL)
Offensive Rank in 2021 - 30th (299 YPG); Scoring - 29th (17.9 PPG)
Defensive Rank in 2021 - 2nd (306 YPG); Scoring - 21st (23.8 PPG)
The battle for the starting quarterback spot is between Sam Darnold (2,527 yards, nine touchdowns, 13 interceptions) and Baker Mayfield, who passed for 3,010 yards with 17 touchdowns and 13 interceptions with the Cleveland Browns. Running back Christian McCaffrey was limited last season with injuries, gaining 442 rushing yards (4.5 YPC average) and one TD along with 37 receptions and one score. Chuba Hubbard is back after leading the Panthers with 612 rush yards (3.6 YPC) and five scores. Robbie Anderson (53 receptions, 519 yards, five TD) and D.J. Moore are the primary wide receivers. Moore led Carolina last season with 93 receptions for 1,157 yards and had four touchdowns. The tight ends are Ian Thomas and Tommy Tremble.
Defensive End Brian Burns (nine QB sacks) is back along with Matt Ioannidis up front and linebackers Shaq Thompson (two interceptions), Frankie Luvu and Cory Littleton are a solid unit as Carolina ranked second overall on defense a year ago. In the secondary is Jeremy Chinn (107 tackles to lead team) and Xavier Woods (three INT with Minnesota in 2021) at safety. The corners are Jaycee Horn and Donte Jackson, who had two picks last year.
Outlook for 2022 season - The Panthers fell off a cliff last season, losing their final seven games and missing the playoffs once again. Darnold was benched last season and now with Mayfield in camp, it should be interesting to see how things play out with an offense that struggled mightily a year ago. Getting McCaffrey back healthy would be a huge boost for the offense and Head Coach Matt Rhule, who may be feeling the heat this season if the Panthers struggle again.
The defense was rock solid a year ago and if the offense can improve, look for this team to win a few more games and finish around the .500 mark. Anything better would be a real plus as they play in the NFC South where the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reign supreme and the New Orleans Saints are always in contention for the playoffs. But turnarounds in the NFL are almost commonplace these days, so Carolina could surprise if things fall into place in the 2022 season.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - vs. Cleveland
Week Two - at N.Y. Giants
Week Three - vs. New Orleans
Week Four - vs. Arizona
Week Five - vs. San Francisco
Week Six - at L.A. Rams
Week Seven - vs. Tampa Bay
Week Eight - at Atlanta
Week Nine - at Cincinnati
Week Ten - vs. Atlanta
Week Eleven - at Baltimore
Week Twelve - vs. Denver
Week Thirteen - BYE
Week Fourteen - at Seattle
Week Fifteen - vs. Pittsburgh
Week Sixteen - vs. Detroit
Week Seventeen - at Tampa Bay
Week Eighteen - at New Orleans
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