2014 Carolina Panthers season

The 2014 season was the Carolina Panthers' 20th in the National Football League (NFL) and their fourth under head coach Ron Rivera.

2014 Carolina Panthers season
OwnerJerry Richardson
General managerDave Gettleman
Head coachRon Rivera
Home fieldBank of America Stadium
Results
Record7–8–1
Division place1st NFC South
Playoff finishWon Wild Card Playoffs
(vs. Cardinals) 27–16
Lost Divisional Playoffs
(at Seahawks) 17–31
Pro BowlersTE Greg Olsen
LB Luke Kuechly
AP All-ProsLB Luke Kuechly (1st team)
Uniform

The Panthers captured their second straight NFC South division title and qualified for the postseason for the first time in back-to-back years despite failing to improve on a 12–4 record and finishing with a losing record of 7–8–1. Additionally, they became the first team in NFC South history to have back to back division titles and also became the second team to win a division title with a sub-.500 record after the 2010 Seattle Seahawks, and would be followed by the 2020 Washington Football Team, a team that Rivera also coached. The Panthers defeated the Arizona Cardinals in the Wild Card round, but lost to the Seattle Seahawks in the Divisional round.

The Panthers' four-game winning streak to close out the regular season, combined with a 14–0 start the following year, was tied with the 2003–2004 New England Patriots for the third longest regular season winning streak in NFL history, at 18.

This season was the first since 2000 Steve Smith Sr. was not on the opening-day roster.

2014 Draft Class
Main article: 2014 NFL Draft
2014 Carolina Panthers Draft
RoundSelectionPlayerPositionCollege
128 Kelvin BenjaminWide receiverFlorida State
260 Kony EalyDefensive endMissouri
392 Trai TurnerOffensive guardLSU
4128 Tre BostonSafetyNorth Carolina
5148[upper-alpha 1] Bené BenwikereCornerbackSan Jose State
6204 Tyler GaffneyRunning backStanford
7 None[upper-alpha 1][upper-alpha 2]

Staff
2014 Carolina Panthers staff
Front office

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
2014 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, 9 inactive, 10 practice squad

Schedule

Preseason

The Panthers' preseason opponents were announced on April 9, 2014.

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordGame siteNFL.com
recap
1 August 8 Buffalo Bills L 18–20 0–1 Bank of America Stadium Recap
2 August 17 Kansas City Chiefs W 28–16 1–1 Bank of America Stadium Recap
3 August 22 at New England Patriots L 7–30 1–2 Gillette Stadium Recap
4 August 28 at Pittsburgh Steelers W 10–0 2–2 Heinz Field Recap

Regular season
WeekDateOpponentResultRecordGame siteNFL.com
recap
1 September 7 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 20–14 1–0 Raymond James Stadium Recap
2 September 14 Detroit Lions W 24–7 2–0 Bank of America Stadium Recap
3 September 21 Pittsburgh Steelers L 19–37 2–1 Bank of America Stadium Recap
4 September 28 at Baltimore Ravens L 10–38 2–2 M&T Bank Stadium Recap
5 October 5 Chicago Bears W 31–24 3–2 Bank of America Stadium Recap
6 October 12 at Cincinnati Bengals T 37–37 (OT) 3–2–1 Paul Brown Stadium Recap
7 October 19 at Green Bay Packers L 17–38 3–3–1 Lambeau Field Recap
8 October 26 Seattle Seahawks L 9–13 3–4–1 Bank of America Stadium Recap
9 October 30 New Orleans Saints L 10–28 3–5–1 Bank of America Stadium Recap
10 November 10 at Philadelphia Eagles L 21–45 3–6–1 Lincoln Financial Field Recap
11 November 16 Atlanta Falcons L 17–19 3–7–1 Bank of America Stadium Recap
12 Bye
13 November 30 at Minnesota Vikings L 13–31 3–8–1 TCF Bank Stadium Recap
14 December 7 at New Orleans Saints W 41–10 4–8–1 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap
15 December 14 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 19–17 5–8–1 Bank of America Stadium Recap
16 December 21 Cleveland Browns W 17–13 6–8–1 Bank of America Stadium Recap
17 December 28 at Atlanta Falcons W 34–3 7–8–1 Georgia Dome Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Postseason
See also: 2014–15 NFL playoffs
Playoff roundDateOpponentResultRecordGame siteNFL.com
recap
Wild Card January 3, 2015 Arizona Cardinals (5) W 27–16 1–0 Bank of America Stadium Recap
Divisional January 10, 2015 at Seattle Seahawks (1) L 17–31 1–1 CenturyLink Field Recap

Game summaries

Week 1: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week One: Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Panthers 0 10 01020
Buccaneers 0 0 01414

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

Game information

Derek Anderson made his first start as Panthers QB, substituting for Cam Newton who was nursing a rib injury he'd suffered during the preseason. The change in QB didn't appear to faze the team, as the Panthers won their first season opener in six years, 20-14. They started the season 1-0 and improved to 1-0 without Newton starting.

Week 2: vs. Detroit Lions
Week Two: Detroit Lions at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Lions 0 0 707
Panthers 0 6 71124

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

  • Date: September 14
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 70 °F (21 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 73,586
  • Referee: Jerome Boger
  • TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Ronde Barber and Jennifer Hale
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Newton returned to the starting lineup with some added padding around his ribs. The game's highlight was a defensive interception against Lions star WR Calvin "Megatron" Johnson. With the win, the Panthers improved to 2-0 and 16-5 when Newton doesn't commit a turnover.

Week 3: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Week Three: Pittsburgh Steelers at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Steelers 3 6 141437
Panthers 3 0 31319

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

This was the first Sunday Night Football home game for the Panthers since 2009. With the loss, the Panthers dropped to 2-1. Newton left the game due to injury but he fumbled the ball. This dropped the team to 10-20 when he commits a turnover.

Week 4: at Baltimore Ravens
Week Four: Carolina Panthers at Baltimore Ravens – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Panthers 0 7 3010
Ravens 0 21 71038

at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

Game information

This game marked the first time WR Steve Smith Sr. played against his former team after being cut in the offseason. He was clearly fired up, recording over 100 yards receiving and two touchdown receptions. With the loss, the Panthers record was 2-2. The team dropped to 16-6 when Newton doesn't commit a turnover.

Week 5: vs. Chicago Bears
Week Five: Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bears 14 7 3024
Panthers 7 7 71031

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

With the win, the Panthers improved to 3-2. They would also improve to 11-20 when Newton commits at least one turnover. Unknown at the time, this would be the team's last victory for over two months.

Week 6: at Cincinnati Bengals
Week Six: Carolina Panthers at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
Period 1 2 34OTTotal
Panthers 7 3 1410337
Bengals 0 17 017337

at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

  • Date: October 12
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 60 °F (16 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 57,053
  • Referee: Carl Cheffers
  • TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Ronde Barber and Jennifer Hale
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Both teams went back and forth scoring in a shootout. This would be the highest-scoring overtime tie in NFL history,[1] as well as the first tie in Panthers history as their record stood at 3-2-1. The team's record then stood at 11-20-1 when Newton commits a turnover.

Week 7: at Green Bay Packers
Week Seven: Carolina Panthers at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Panthers 0 3 01417
Packers 21 7 10038

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Game information

With the loss, the Panthers dropped to 3-3-1. The team also dropped to 11-21-1 when Newton turns the ball over.

Week 8: vs. Seattle Seahawks
Week Eight: Seattle Seahawks at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Seahawks 0 3 3713
Panthers 3 3 039

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

With the loss, the Panthers dropped to 3-4-1. The team also dropped to 11-22-1 when Newton commits at least one turnover.

Week 9: vs. New Orleans Saints
Week Nine: New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Saints 0 14 7728
Panthers 0 0 7310

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

With the loss, the Panthers dropped to 3-5-1. The team would sit at 11-23-1 when Newton turns the ball over.

Week 10: at Philadelphia Eagles
Week Ten: Carolina Panthers at Philadelphia Eagles – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Panthers 7 0 01421
Eagles 17 14 7745

at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Game information

On Monday Night Football, Carolina barely put up a fight. The Eagles easily won the game, their defense sacking Cam Newton nine times. This dropped the Panthers record to 3-6-1. They also fell to 11-24-1 when Newton commits at least one turnover.

Week 11: vs. Atlanta Falcons
Week Eleven: Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Falcons 0 6 10319
Panthers 0 3 01417

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

With their fifth straight loss, the Panthers headed into their bye week at 3-7-1. Also the team dropped to 11-25-1 when Newton commits a turnover. This would be Carolina's last home loss until week 3 of 2016 against Minnesota.

Week 13: at Minnesota Vikings
Week Thirteen: Carolina Panthers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Panthers 3 3 7013
Vikings 14 14 0331

at TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: November 30
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 12 °F (−11 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 52,016
  • Referee: Brad Allen
  • TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Ronde Barber and Jennifer Hale
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

With the loss, the Panthers dropped to 3-8-1 and 11-26-1 when Newton commits at least one turnover.

Week 14: at New Orleans Saints
Week Fourteen: Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Panthers 17 7 14341
Saints 0 3 0710

at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Game information

With their 6-game losing streak snapped, the Panthers improved to 4-8-1. The team also improved to 17-6 when Newton doesn't commit a turnover.

Week 15: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week Fifteen: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Buccaneers 7 3 0717
Panthers 6 3 7319

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

  • Date: December 14
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 60 °F (16 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 72,842
  • Referee: Ron Torbert
  • TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, Kirk Morrison and Kristina Pink
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

QB Derek Anderson was pressed into service for the second time in 2014, as Newton had injured his back in a car accident earlier that week. Once again, Anderson led the Panthers to a close victory over Tampa Bay, completing a season sweep and improving the team's record to 5-8-1. Anderson improved his starting regular season record as a Panther to 2-0.

Week 16: vs. Cleveland Browns
Week Sixteen: Cleveland Browns at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Browns 0 3 3713
Panthers 3 7 0717

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

With the win, the Panthers improved to 6-8-1 and 12-26-1 when Newton turns the ball over at least once.

Week 17: at Atlanta Falcons
Week Seventeen: Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Panthers 10 14 10034
Falcons 3 0 003

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

Game information

The Panthers finished their season in Atlanta against the Falcons with the NFC South title and the NFC's #4 seed on the line. They would blowout Atlanta and finish the season out 7-8-1. The team would also improve to 18-6 when Newton doesn't commit a turnover.

Postseason
See also: 2014–15 NFL playoffs

NFC Wild Card Playoffs: vs. #5 Arizona Cardinals
NFC Wild Card Playoffs: (#5) Arizona Cardinals at (#4) Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 0 14 0216
Panthers 10 3 14027

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

The win over the Cardinals improved the Panthers' overall record to 8-8-1, with the defense turning in a record performance, holding Arizona to 78 total yards. Their record stood at 13-26-1 when Cam turns the ball over.

NFC Divisional Playoffs: at #1 Seattle Seahawks
NFC Divisional Playoffs: (#4) Carolina Panthers at (#1) Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Panthers 0 10 0717
Seahawks 7 7 01731

at CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington

Game information

The loss made the Panthers finish 8-9-1 overall and 13-27-1 when Newton turns the ball over.

Standings

Division
NFC South
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(4) Carolina Panthers 7 8 1 .469 4–2 6–6 339 374 W4
New Orleans Saints 7 9 0 .438 3–3 6–6 401 424 W1
Atlanta Falcons 6 10 0 .375 5–1 6–6 381 417 L1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2 14 0 .125 0–6 1–11 277 410 L6

Conference
NFC[2][3]
# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV STK
Division leaders
1[lower-alpha 1] Seattle Seahawks West 12 4 0 .750 5–1 10–2 .525 .513 W6
2[lower-alpha 1] Green Bay Packers North 12 4 0 .750 5–1 9–3 .482 .440 W2
3[lower-alpha 1] Dallas Cowboys East 12 4 0 .750 4–2 8–4 .445 .422 W4
4 Carolina Panthers South 7 8 1 .469 4–2 6–6 .490 .357 W4
Wild Cards
5[lower-alpha 2] Arizona Cardinals West 11 5 0 .688 3–3 8–4 .523 .477 L2
6[lower-alpha 2] Detroit Lions North 11 5 0 .688 5–1 9–3 .471 .392 L1
Did not qualify for the postseason
7 Philadelphia Eagles East 10 6 0 .625 4–2 6–6 .490 .416 W1
8 San Francisco 49ers West 8 8 0 .500 2–4 7–5 .527 .508 W1
9[lower-alpha 3] New Orleans Saints South 7 9 0 .438 3–3 6–6 .486 .415 W1
10[lower-alpha 3] Minnesota Vikings North 7 9 0 .438 1–5 6–6 .475 .308 W1
11[lower-alpha 4] New York Giants East 6 10 0 .375 2–4 4–8 .512 .323 L1
12[lower-alpha 4] Atlanta Falcons South 6 10 0 .375 5–1 6–6 .482 .380 L1
13[lower-alpha 4] St. Louis Rams West 6 10 0 .375 2–4 4–8 .531 .427 L3
14 Chicago Bears North 5 11 0 .313 1–5 4–8 .529 .338 L5
15 Washington Redskins East 4 12 0 .250 2–4 2–10 .496 .422 L1
16 Tampa Bay Buccaneers South 2 14 0 .125 0–6 1–11 .486 .469 L6
Tiebreakers[lower-alpha 5]
  1. Seattle, Green Bay and Dallas were ranked in seeds 1–3 based on conference record.
  2. Arizona defeated Detroit head-to-head (Week 11, 14–6).
  3. New Orleans defeated Minnesota head-to-head (Week 3, 20–9).
  4. The New York Giants defeated both Atlanta and St. Louis head-to-head (Atlanta: Week 5, 30–20; St. Louis: Week 16, 37–27), while Atlanta finished ahead of St. Louis
    based on conference record.
  5. 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.

Notes
  1. The Panthers traded their original fifth- and one of their two seventh-round selections — Nos. 168 and 225 overall, respectively — to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for the Vikings' fifth-round selection (No. 148 overall). The Panthers previously acquired the No. 225 overall selection in a trade that sent linebacker Jon Beason to the New York Giants.
  2. The Panthers traded their original seventh-round selection (No. 243 overall) to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for safety Colin Jones.
  3. The kickoff time and/or network were changed after the initial schedule release as a result of flexible scheduling.The kickoff time and/or network were changed after the initial schedule release as a result of flexible scheduling.
  4. Simulcast on WBTV.
  5. Simulcast on WSOC-TV.
  6. Simulcast on WJZY.

References
  1. "Bengals, Panthers have highest-scoring tie game ever".
  2. "2014 Conference Standings". NFL.com. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
  3. "2014 NFL playoff picture". CBS Sports. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
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