Way-Too-Early Game by Game Predictions for the Carolina Panthers

Carolina has a challenging road ahead in first year under Matt Rhule

Last night, the NFL released the 2020 regular season schedule for all 32 teams and things don't look too favorable for a young, rebuilding Carolina Panthers squad. Aside from being in possibly the toughest division in the NFL, they have to make trips to Kansas City and Green Bay.

Below is my way-too-early game by game predictions for the 2020 season.

Week 1: 9/13 vs Las Vegas Raiders (1 p.m.)

Loss (0-1): I actually think Carolina has a legit shot to win the season opener, but with too many uncertainties and new faces learning to play together, I give a small edge to Las Vegas. 

Week 2: 9/20 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1 p.m.)

Loss (0-2): I've got New Orleans beating Tampa in the season opener, so the Bucs are going to come out playing ticked off and might beatdown on the Panthers.

Week 3: 9/27 at Los Angeles Chargers (4:05 p.m.)

Win (1-2): Carolina gets their first win of the season in thrilling fashion. Game-winning field goal because why not? L.A. is a very young team and have a lot of question marks surrounding the offense.

Week 4: 10/4 vs Arizona Cardinals (1 p.m.)

Loss (1-3): Kyler Murray is bound for a big season in 2020 and the Cardinals offense will be too much for this young Panthers defense to handle.

Week 5: 10/11 at Atlanta Falcons (1 p.m.)

Loss (1-4): Atlanta will come out firing out of the gate, but fade as the season goes along. The Panthers will catch them just a little too early in the year and Gurley will lift the Falcons to victory.

Week 6: 10/18 vs Chicago Bears (1 p.m.)

Win (2-4): Chicago has a solid defense, but quarterback will be a big problem for them in 2020. With the Panthers having the home field advantage, I'll give the slight edge to Carolina.

Week 7: 10/25 at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m.)

Loss (2-5): Personally, I see Carolina standing no chance in this game. The Saints have a loaded roster and playing in the dome is always a challenge.

Week 8: 10/29 vs Atlanta Falcons (8:20 p.m.)

Win (3-5): This is about the point of the season where I think the Falcons begin to slide and it begins with a primetime road loss to the Panthers. 

Week 9: 11/8 at Kansas City Chiefs (1 p.m.)

Loss (3-6): I don't think I really have to go too much into detail here. Two words. Patrick. Mahomes.

Week 10: 11/15 vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1 p.m.)

Loss (3-7): Beating Brady in the Bucs would be a huge confidence boost for a young team, and I actually think they are competitive in this game, but won't be able to pull out the win.

Week 11: 11/22 vs Detroit Lions (1 p.m.)

Win (4-7): The Lions secondary is a little shaky. Their best player is probably rookie Jeff Okudah and he hasn't even played a down yet. This is a game where I think OC Joe Brady will have Teddy Bridgewater take several shots down the field with Robby Anderson and Curtis Samuel. Solid win here for Carolina.

Week 12: 11/29 at Minnesota Vikings (1 p.m.)

Win (5-7): Carolina will roll their momentum into week 12 and take down Kirk Cousins and the Vikings. Cousins will have a turnover-plagued game and the Panthers will capitalize.

Week 13: BYE

Week 14: 12/13 vs Denver Broncos (1 p.m.)

Loss (5-8): The bye week comes at the worst timing possible as the Panthers were in the midst of a two game winning streak. The Broncos could have a lethal passing attack by this point in the season and the week layover hurts Carolina.

Week 15: 12/19 or 12/20 at Green Bay Packers (TBA)

Loss (5-9): The Packers improved their defense in 2019 to finally help out Aaron Rodgers. Problem is, Rodgers hasn't been the same the last couple of years. I'm predicting a big bounce back year for Rodgers and will carve up the Panthers' secondary.

Week 16: 12/27 at Washington Redskins (1 p.m.)

Loss (5-10): I could see the Panthers winning this game, but former Panthers coach Ron Rivera may have just a little bit better of a roster. This will be an ugly, low scoring game and with the Panthers on a two game skid, their confidence will be shot.

Week 17: 1/3 vs New Orleans Saints (1 p.m.)

Loss (5-11): The Saints beat the Panthers to death in Carolina in the final regular season game in 2019. It won't be as bad of a beatdown, but the Saints will come out with the win.

How do you see the Panthers finishing in 2019? Drop your record predictions in the comment section below and discuss!

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