Five things the Panthers need to show during the final stretch

With just 4 games left in the 2024 season, the Panthers have a prime opportunity to change the narrative

After a dismal beginning to the Carolina Panthers season, the narratives surrounding the team have taken an unexpected turn for the better. With four games left, the story of the season feels mostly written, but a renewed sense of optimism surrounds the team in a way that hasn’t been around since at least the waning moments of the 2022 season. Even the sportsbooks have started to believe in the Panthers, as they are favored to win for the first time after 33 games.

Despite being less than a quarter of the season, these last four games will likely be what defines the whole first year of the Dave Canales and Dan Morgan era. The offseason narratives and the vibe around the players and coaches relies on finishing strong, instead of with a pitiful whimper.

More than a half-decade’s worth of losing has most fans hesitant to believe the Panthers are on the verge of escaping the basement of the NFL standings, but there are a few things that could make the difference in boosting fan confidence going forward:

#1: Bryce Young proves himself

An offseason of hope and optimism surrounding the 2023 first overall pick came crashing down at terminal velocity after Youngs first pass of 2024 was intercepted, and only got worse from there until he was unceremoniously benched after 2 starts. After Week 2, Young’s PFF grade was at a 30.1 for the season – 13 whole points lower than the 2nd worst graded quarterback. Young returned in Week 8 and in that stretch of games holds the 17th best grade (78.1) among passers with at least 50 attempts, an almost unimaginable improvement – certainly not one I was expecting. A strong finish to the season for Young allows the Panthers the ability to finally focus on surrounding the quarterback, instead of burning assets to replace him in yet another hunt for a quarterback.

#2: Rookie breakouts

The 2024 draft class has seen a lot of playing time with varying degrees of success. Receiver Xavier Legette looked promising before a string of games with crucial mistakes in clutch moments. A breakout 100+ yard game and finally connecting with Young on a downfield route, that isn’t a comeback, would be a nice start. Ja’Tavion Sanders and Jalen Coker picking up where they left off prior to suffering some injuries would help Morgan cross a few items off the offseason shopping list. Same goes for Trevin Wallace and Chau Smith-Wade proving they belong in the NFL, at linebacker and nickel cornerback respectively. The Panthers finally have a draft class that looks to be loaded with actual NFL players, but their performances down the stretch will dictate what Morgan and the rest of the front office will do over the spring.

#3: Competitive defense

The defense started off the season trending towards being one of the worst of all time, at least in terms of points allowed. Through the first 8 games of the season, the Panthers allowed nearly 34 points per game. Had that trend continued over the second half of the season, the Panthers would have given up the most points by a team in NFL history, by a healthy 40 point margin. Since then, the Panthers have surrendered just over 23 points per game. Still not great, but better than the literal worst of all time track they were on. Add in that they have 16 sacks in that 5 game span, versus only 9 during the 8 previous contests, and you have yourself a defense that can finally keep the team in games – instead of getting blown-out every week.

#4: Key players stay healthy

The Panthers have had a rough stretch of injury luck this season. From losing Derrick Brown, Shaq Thompson and Austin Corbett for almost a whole season; Adam Thielen’s 2 month long absence; and a litany of other injuries including a devastating re-tear of an ACL by Jonathon Brooks, the Panthers have suffered enough. Let’s all collectively knock on wood for good fortune that the rest of the Panthers roster can enter the offseason focusing on improvement, not rehabbing injuries.

#5: Beat the Cowboys and at least one other team

Did I mention it has been a long time since the Panthers have been favored in a football game? If you want fans to show up to games and root for you, you’d better win versus the teams you should beat and be competitive when outmatched. This Sunday versus the Dallas Cowboys, show fans that the recent near-wins versus three likely playoff teams weren’t a fluke by beating a team that’s been on the downslide, instead of being their “get-right” game. After that, the Panthers will have 3 more games to pull out a win over a handful of teams hovering around .500. Play spoiler to one of those teams in the hunt for a playoff spot in December and go into the offseason on a high note.