Quarterback Bryce Young and running back Chuba Hubbard analyze the field against the Rams.
Courtesy of Carolina Blitz
In a 34-31 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Wildcard, the Carolina Panthers’ 2025-2026 season is over. Normally, an 8-9 record is not enough to be a playoff team. Yet, the Panthers’ up-and-down season, along with a save by the Atlanta Falcons, pushed them to this point.Â
This season was the best Carolina has had yet under quarterback Bryce Young. Despite the outcome, the highs and lows are worth analyzing for the offseason and moving forward.
A turbulent September
Carolina opened the season with back-to-back losses to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Arizona Cardinals. Young, who came into the season with questions of his long-term viability as a starting-caliber quarterback, threw for 328 yards in the loss to Arizona, but it still left fans and media questioning him.Â
Carolina recorded its first shutout win of the season at home against the Atlanta Falcons during Week 3, which would prove to be much more impactful than it originally was. To end the month, the Panthers found themselves on the wrong end of a 42-13 blowout against the New England Patriots.
A surprise player provides a midseason surge
Sitting at 1-3, the Panthers needed someone to step up — enter Rico Dowdle. The running back signed with Carolina after recording 1,000 rushing yards for the Dallas Cowboys in 2024.Â
Dowdle had seen very little action for the Panthers up until an injury to starting running back Chuba Hubbard thrust him into the starting role. Dowdle immediately led Carolina victories over the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins and his former team, the Cowboys. Dowdle’s 468 rushing yards and 101 receiving yards over those three games had saved Carolina from another disappointing season.Â
Despite a three-game win streak, 4-3 record and a steaming hot Dowdle, the Panthers had to face Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills without Bryce Young, due to an ankle injury suffered against the New York Jets. Veteran backup quarterback Andy Dalton and the Panthers were held to nine points by the Buffalo Bills, bringing Carolina and its fans back to Earth heading into November.
More surprises to come
Carolina entered November at 4-4, a solid record. Traveling to Green Bay to face the Packers put that record in jeopardy. Although another big game from Dowdle led them to a pivotal victory, a loss to division opponent the New Orleans Saints would diminish their playoff hopes at 5-5.Â
Once again, the Panthers found themselves in a must-win situation. Then it happened. Young threw for a Panthers franchise record 448 yards in a 30-27 overtime win over the Atlanta Falcons, sweeping the season series and simultaneously saving his reputation as a potential “bust” of a No. 1 overall pick.Â
The Panthers went on to face the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football and lost a very close game, holding a 6-6 record. Heading to a game against the Los Angeles Rams, Carolina was an extreme underdog, yet they pulled through on the back of Young’s third time recording 200+ passing yards through 13 weeks.
The final stretch
With five more weeks left in the season, Carolina remained below the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC South. A bye week for Carolina and a surprising loss to the New Orleans Saints for the Buccaneers left the top of the NFC South up for grabs.​
In Week 15, Carolina traveled to New Orleans in a game that could rip away their playoff chances. A game-winning field goal from the Saints once again ruined Carolina’s record and possibly their playoff chances. With three games remaining, it was up to Carolina to win all three to secure the NFC South and its first playoff berth since 2017.​
In Week 16, facing the Buccaneers for the first time all season, the Panthers had to win or their playoff chances were completely gone. On the leg of rookie kicker Ryan Fitzgerald, the Panthers would take the lead of the NFC South for the first time all season.Â
In Week 17, the Seattle Seahawks came into Bank of America, stonewalling Carolina. Young was held to 54 passing yards, which was less than the leading rusher, Dowdle’s 59 yards. In the regular-season finale, the Panthers could have potentially submitted their ticket to the playoffs, but those two losses to New Orleans would rear their ugly heads. Carolina needed one more must-win if they wanted to reach the postseason on their own.Â
However, they did not handle business this time, losing to the Buccaneers in a close 16-14 ballgame. After an Atlanta victory over New Orleans, the Panthers, despite being 8-9, clinched the NFC South and a home playoff game.
The Cinderella story dies early
Despite losing to the Los Angeles Rams in their second meeting of the season, the Panthers achieved the unimaginable and entered the NFL Playoffs with a losing record.​
Center Cade Mays prepares to snap the ball in the NFC Wild Card game on Jan. 11.
Courtesy of Carolina Blitz
The 2025-26 season was a rollercoaster ride of very low dips and exciting, record-breaking highs. Carolina has set a foundation that they can now build upon. Emerging players on both sides of the ball, a great 2025 NFL Draft and a quarterback finding his footing. If Head Coach Dave Canales can further develop this squad, expect many more playoff berths in the near future.