2018 Carolina Panthers season
The 2018 season was the Carolina Panthers' 24th in the National Football League (NFL) and their eighth under head coach Ron Rivera. It was the team's first season without former assistant head coach/defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, who became head coach of the Arizona Cardinals in the offseason and former offensive coordinator Mike Shula, who became the quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator of the New York Giants.[1]
2018 Carolina Panthers season | |
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Owner | David Tepper |
General manager | Marty Hurney |
Head coach | Ron Rivera |
Home field | Bank of America Stadium |
Results | |
Record | 7–9 |
Division place | 3rd NFC South |
Playoff finish | Did not qualify |
Pro Bowlers | MLB Luke Kuechly G Trai Turner DT Kawann Short |
Team MVP | Christian McCaffrey |
Team ROY | D. J. Moore |
Uniform | |
The Panthers entered the season hoping to improve or match their 11–5 record from last year. After starting 6–2, the Panthers suffered a late-season collapse, going on a 7-game losing streak, failing to improve or match their previous season's record, and were eliminated from playoff contention following a loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 16. Although they went a dismal 1–7 in the second half of the season, the Panthers managed to end on a high note by defeating their division rival New Orleans Saints, 33–14.
Draft
Round | Selection | Player | Position | College | Notes |
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1 | 24 | D. J. Moore | WR | Maryland | |
2 | 55 | Donte Jackson | CB | LSU | |
3 | 85 | Rashaan Gaulden | CB | Tennessee | From Buffalo |
4 | 101 | Ian Thomas | TE | Indiana | From Green Bay |
4 | 136 | Marquis Haynes | DE | Ole Miss | |
5 | 161 | Jermaine Carter | LB | Maryland | |
7 | 234 | Andre Smith | LB | North Carolina | From L.A. Chargers via Buffalo |
242 | Kendrick Norton | DT | Miami |
Draft trades
- The Panthers traded wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin to Buffalo in exchange for Buffalo's third-round selection (85th overall) and the seventh-round selection they acquired from the LA Chargers (234th overall).
- The Panthers traded their fourth-round selection (123rd overall) and punter Kasey Redfern to Cleveland in exchange for Cleveland's seventh-round selection in 2017 and punter Andy Lee.
Staff
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
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Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
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Final roster
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
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Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
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Linebackers
Defensive backs
Special teams
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Reserve lists
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Preseason
Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Game site | NFL.com recap |
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1 | August 9 | at Buffalo Bills | W 28–23 | 1–0 | New Era Field | Recap |
2 | August 17 | Miami Dolphins | W 27–20 | 2–0 | Bank of America Stadium | Recap |
3 | August 24 | New England Patriots | W 25–14 | 3–0 | Bank of America Stadium | Recap |
4 | August 30 | at Pittsburgh Steelers | L 24–39 | 3–1 | Heinz Field | Recap |
Regular season
Schedule
Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Game site | NFL.com recap |
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1 | September 9 | Dallas Cowboys | W 16–8 | 1–0 | Bank of America Stadium | Recap |
2 | September 16 | at Atlanta Falcons | L 24–31 | 1–1 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Recap |
3 | September 23 | Cincinnati Bengals | W 31–21 | 2–1 | Bank of America Stadium | Recap |
4 | Bye | |||||
5 | October 7 | New York Giants | W 33–31 | 3–1 | Bank of America Stadium | Recap |
6 | October 14 | at Washington Redskins | L 17–23 | 3–2 | FedEx Field | Recap |
7 | October 21 | at Philadelphia Eagles | W 21–17 | 4–2 | Lincoln Financial Field | Recap |
8 | October 28 | Baltimore Ravens | W 36–21 | 5–2 | Bank of America Stadium | Recap |
9 | November 4 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | W 42–28 | 6–2 | Bank of America Stadium | Recap |
10 | November 8 | at Pittsburgh Steelers | L 21–52 | 6–3 | Heinz Field | Recap |
11 | November 18 | at Detroit Lions | L 19–20 | 6–4 | Ford Field | Recap |
12 | November 25 | Seattle Seahawks | L 27–30 | 6–5 | Bank of America Stadium | Recap |
13 | December 2 | at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | L 17–24 | 6–6 | Raymond James Stadium | Recap |
14 | December 9 | at Cleveland Browns | L 20–26 | 6–7 | First Energy Stadium | Recap |
15 | December 17 | New Orleans Saints | L 9–12 | 6–8 | Bank of America Stadium | Recap |
16 | December 23 | Atlanta Falcons | L 10–24 | 6–9 | Bank of America Stadium | Recap |
17 | December 30 | at New Orleans Saints | W 33–14 | 7–9 | Mercedes-Benz Superdome | Recap |
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Week 1: vs. Dallas Cowboys
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Cowboys | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 8 |
Panthers | 0 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 16 |
at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
- Date: September 9
- Game time: 4:25 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: 81 °F (27 °C), Partly Cloudy
- Game attendance: 74,532
- Referee: Walt Anderson
- TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Erin Andrews
- Recap, Gamebook
Game information | ||
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In the Panthers' home opener both teams were scoreless in the first quarter. In the second, Cam Newton rushed for a touchdown to score the game's first points. Graham Gano later kicked a field goal to further the Panthers' lead to 10–0. Both teams were again scoreless in the third quarter. Alexander Armah scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter, but the extra point attempt was no good when the ball slipped out of Michael Palardy's hands. The Cowboys later put points on the board with an Ezekiel Elliott touchdown run followed by a two-point conversion by quarterback Dak Prescott, decreasing the Panthers' lead to eight points. The Panthers managed to hold off the Cowboys by forcing a fumble off Prescott in the Cowboys' last offensive drive, winning 16–8.
Tight end Greg Olsen and offensive tackle Daryl Williams left the game early due to injuries.
Week 2: at Atlanta Falcons
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Panthers | 3 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 24 |
Falcons | 3 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 31 |
at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
- Date: September 16
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
- Game attendance: 72,528
- Referee: Bill Vinovich
- TV announcers (Fox): Dan Hellie, Greg Jennings and Karyn Bryant
- Recap, Gamebook
Game information | ||
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The Falcons proved too much for the Panthers. With the 24–31 loss, the Panthers fell to 1–1.
Week 3: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Bengals | 7 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 21 |
Panthers | 7 | 14 | 7 | 3 | 31 |
at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
- Date: September 23
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: 80 °F (27 °C), cloudy
- Game attendance: 72,161
- Referee: John Parry
- TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan, Rich Gannon and Steve Tasker
- Recap, Gamebook
Game information | ||
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The Bengals were the first to score in the game but the Panthers answered back with a Cam Newton touchdown. Late in the first quarter Andy Dalton threw a pass intended for John Ross but it was intercepted by Donte Jackson. Early in the second Devin Funchess scored a touchdown with a Graham Gano field goal, and Carolina took the lead. Dalton was sacked by Efe Obada and fumbled the ball. Carolina recovered but the call was reversed and the Bengals soon tied the game at 14. Carolina took back the lead with a C. J. Anderson touchdown. In the third Dalton was picked off again, this time by Obada. Cincinnati soon followed a Newton TD with a touchdown of their own, moving to within seven. With less than four minutes to go, Jackson intercepted a Dalton pass intended for Ross. Gano then kicked a field goal making the score 31–21. Dalton's Hail Mary attempt, intended for Tyler Eifert, was picked off by Luke Kuechly. The Panthers won and improved to 2–1.
Week 5: vs. New York Giants
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Giants | 3 | 10 | 3 | 15 | 31 |
Panthers | 7 | 13 | 0 | 13 | 33 |
at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
- Date: October 7
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: 80 °F (27 °C), cloudy
- Game attendance: 74,221
- Referee: Jerome Boger
- TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Charles Davis and Pam Oliver
- Recap, Gamebook
Game information | ||
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The Panthers came back after their bye week and took on the New York Giants at home. Carolina went into the third quarter with a 20–13 lead. New York scored a field goal in the third quarter, decreasing the Panthers' lead to four. In the fourth quarter, the Giants scored a touchdown with a two point conversion, followed by a Carolina field goal. With 1:15 to go in the game, the Giants scored on a Saquon Barkley touchdown catch, giving New York their first lead since the first quarter. The Panthers, down 31-30, only had a little more than a minute to try to win. They were able to get in field goal position. With six seconds to go, Graham Gano's 63 yard field goal was good. It was the longest successful field goal in franchise history and Gano became one of only six players to make a kick from 63 yards or longer. The Panthers won 33–31, improving to 3–1.
Week 6: at Washington Redskins
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Panthers | 0 | 6 | 3 | 8 | 17 |
Redskins | 14 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 23 |
at FedExField, Landover, Maryland
- Date: October 14
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: 52 °F (11 °C), cloudy
- Game attendance: 60,482
- Referee: Clay Martin
- TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Charles Davis and Pam Oliver
- Recap, Gamebook
Game information | ||
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Things didn't start off well for the Panthers. Rookie D. J. Moore fumbled on a punt return and Washington recovered. This put the Redskins at a perfect spot to score and they did so. The Panthers had multiple turnovers in the first quarter, giving the Redskins a 14–0 lead by the end of one. The Panthers were able to catch up to the Redskins and had a chance to take the lead late in the fourth quarter. However, on fourth down and 5 at the Redskins 16, Cam Newton's pass for Jarius Wright fell incomplete. With the close loss of 17–23, the Panthers fell to 3–2.
This game saw the return of both Greg Olsen, who had been out with a foot injury since week one, and Thomas Davis, who was suspended for the first four games of the season.
Week 7: at Philadelphia Eagles
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Panthers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 21 |
Eagles | 0 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 17 |
at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Date: October 21
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: 49 °F (9 °C), partly sunny
- Game attendance: 69,696
- Referee: Clete Blakeman
- TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Charles Davis and Pam Oliver
- Recap, Gamebook
Game information | ||
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The Panthers were down 17-0 going into the fourth quarter with a seemingly lifeless offense. However, the team scored 21 points in the 4th quarter and beat the shell-shocked Eagles 21–17, improving to 4–2. They sealed the victory after preventing a 4th down conversion by the Eagles in the closing seconds of the 4th quarter. It was the largest 4th quarter comeback win in team history, and the largest comeback in franchise history.[2]
Week 8: vs. Baltimore Ravens
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Ravens | 7 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 21 |
Panthers | 7 | 17 | 3 | 9 | 36 |
at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
- Date: October 28
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: 61 °F (16 °C), sunny
- Game attendance: 73,843
- Referee: Pete Morelli
- TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel, Trent Green, Bruce Arians and Melanie Collins
- Recap, Gamebook
Game information | ||
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Carolina and Baltimore went into the second quarter tied at seven. In the beginning of the second, Kyle Love tipped the ball out of QB Joe Flacco's hands, and the ball was recovered by Luke Kuechly. Greg Olsen scored a touchdown for the Panthers. Towards the end of the second, Cam Newton threw the ball into the end zone. Baltimore tipped it but Christian McCaffrey was able to catch it and score. With two seconds to go in the half, Graham Gano kicked a field goal, giving Carolina a 24–7 lead. In the third, Gano kicked another field goal. Alex Collins scored a touchdown for the Ravens making it a 27–14 Panthers lead. Newton scored a touchdown in the fourth but a two point conversion attempt was no good. Gano later made another field goal. The Panthers won 36–21 and improved to 5–2.
Week 9: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Buccaneers | 0 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
Panthers | 14 | 21 | 0 | 7 | 42 |
at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
- Date: November 4
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: 62 °F (17 °C), sunny
- Game attendance: 73,513
- Referee: Tony Corrente
- TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Ronde Barber and Sara Walsh
- Recap, Gamebook
Game information | ||
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The Panthers went into half time up 35–14. In the third quarter Tampa Bay scored a touchdown making the score 35–21. Carolina and Tampa Bay both scored a touchdown in the fourth. The Panthers won 42–28, and improved to 6–2.
Week 10: at Pittsburgh Steelers
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Panthers | 7 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 21 |
Steelers | 21 | 10 | 14 | 7 | 52 |
at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Date: November 8
- Game time: 8:20 p.m. EST
- Game weather: 40 °F (4 °C), clear
- Game attendance: 62,881
- Referee: Walt Coleman
- TV announcers (Fox/NFLN): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews, and Kristina Pink
- Recap, Gamebook
Game information | ||
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In this Thursday night game, the Steelers were too much for the Panthers, as the Steelers' defense sacked Cam Newton five times and returned an interception for a touchdown, while their offense scored on seven of their eight drives under Ben Roethlisberger, who threw for five touchdowns and recorded a perfect passer rating, culminating in a 21–52 loss.
With the crushing loss, the Panthers' three game winning streak was snapped, and they fell to 6–3.
Cam Newton went 23 for 29, throwing for 193 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception, giving him a passer rating of 103 in spite of the Steelers bending over the Panthers.
Week 11: at Detroit Lions
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Panthers | 7 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 19 |
Lions | 7 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 20 |
at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
- Date: November 18
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
- Game attendance: 61,999
- Referee: Clay Martin
- TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Ronde Barber and Jennifer Hale
- Recap, Gamebook
Game information | ||
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Carolina had a chance to win at the end of the game with a two-point conversion attempt. However, Newton's pass intended for Wright fell incomplete. With the loss, the Panthers fall to 6-4.
Week 12: vs. Seattle Seahawks
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Seahawks | 0 | 10 | 7 | 13 | 30 |
Panthers | 3 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 27 |
at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
- Date: November 25
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: 57 °F (14 °C), partly cloudy
- Game attendance: 74,002
- Referee: Shawn Smith
- TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Burkhardt, Charles Davis and Pam Oliver
- Recap, Gamebook
Game information | ||
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In a tight contest the Panthers were unable to put away the Seahawks, and lost 27–30. They fell to 6–5.
Week 13: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Panthers | 7 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 17 |
Buccaneers | 10 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 24 |
at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
- Date: December 2
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: 81 °F (27 °C), cloudy
- Game attendance: 52,568
- Referee: Carl Cheffers
- TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Ronde Barber and Sara Walsh
- Recap, Gamebook
Game information | ||
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The Panthers, thanks in part to Newton's four interceptions, fell to 6-6. The day after the game, the Panthers announced defensive line coach Brady Hoke and assistant secondary/cornerbacks coach Jeff Imamura had been fired. Ron Rivera would also take over defensive play calling duties, although Washington would retain the title of defensive coordinator.[3]
Week 14: at Cleveland Browns
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Panthers | 7 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 20 |
Browns | 7 | 10 | 0 | 9 | 26 |
at FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio
- Date: December 9
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: 28 °F (−2 °C), sunny
- Game attendance: 59,392
- Referee: Walt Anderson
- TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, Mark Schlereth, Cris Carter and Jennifer Hale
- Recap, Gamebook
Game information | ||
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With the loss, Carolina fell to 6-7.
Week 15: vs. New Orleans Saints
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Saints | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 12 |
Panthers | 7 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 9 |
at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
- Date: December 17
- Game time: 8:15 p.m. EST
- Game weather: 48 °F (9 °C), clear skies
- Game attendance: 74,188
- Referee: Tony Corrente
- TV announcers (ESPN): Joe Tessitore, Jason Witten, Booger McFarland and Lisa Salters
- Recap, Gamebook
Game information | ||
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The Panthers came into Monday night facing the NFC South champion and playoff-bound Saints. Carolina's defense stifled Drew Brees and the Saints offense for most of the game, forcing three turnovers. Cornerback Donte Jackson had a pick-two on a two-point conversion attempt and fellow corner James Bradberry had an interception. However, the Panthers offense stalled on several drives, including their final one. With the loss, the team's record fell to 6-8.
Week 16: vs. Atlanta Falcons
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Falcons | 7 | 3 | 14 | 0 | 24 |
Panthers | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
Game information | ||
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During the week, the Panthers decided to give backup QB Taylor Heinicke his first NFL start due to Newton's injured shoulder.[4] The Panthers lost 24-10, extending their losing streak to 7 games. Their record stood at 6-9.
Week 17: at New Orleans Saints
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Panthers | 13 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 33 |
Saints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 14 |
Game information | ||
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This was the Panthers' only game outside of the Eastern Time Zone during the 2018 season. Kyle Allen made his first start at QB due to injuries. Behind Allen, the Panthers won 33-14. With the win, the Panthers finished the season 7-9 and snapped their 7 game losing streak.
Division
NFC South | |||||||||
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W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK | |
(1) New Orleans Saints | 13 | 3 | 0 | .813 | 4–2 | 9–3 | 504 | 353 | L1 |
Atlanta Falcons | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 4–2 | 7–5 | 414 | 423 | W3 |
Carolina Panthers | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 2–4 | 5–7 | 376 | 382 | W1 |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 2–4 | 4–8 | 396 | 464 | L4 |
Conference
# | Team | Division | W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | SOS | SOV | STK |
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Division leaders | |||||||||||
1[lower-alpha 1] | New Orleans Saints | South | 13 | 3 | 0 | .813 | 4–2 | 9–3 | .482 | .488 | L1 |
2[lower-alpha 1] | Los Angeles Rams | West | 13 | 3 | 0 | .813 | 6–0 | 9–3 | .480 | .428 | W2 |
3 | Chicago Bears | North | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 5–1 | 10–2 | .430 | .419 | W4 |
4 | Dallas Cowboys | East | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 5–1 | 9–3 | .488 | .444 | W2 |
Wild Cards | |||||||||||
5 | Seattle Seahawks | West | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 3–3 | 8–4 | .484 | .400 | W2 |
6 | Philadelphia Eagles | East | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 4–2 | 6–6 | .518 | .486 | W3 |
Did not qualify for the postseason | |||||||||||
7 | Minnesota Vikings | North | 8 | 7 | 1 | .531 | 3–2–1 | 6–5–1 | .504 | .355 | L1 |
8[lower-alpha 2] | Atlanta Falcons | South | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 4–2 | 7–5 | .482 | .348 | W3 |
9[lower-alpha 2] | Washington Redskins | East | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 2–4 | 6–6 | .486 | .371 | L2 |
10[lower-alpha 2] | Carolina Panthers | South | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 2–4 | 5–7 | .508 | .518 | W1 |
11 | Green Bay Packers | North | 6 | 9 | 1 | .406 | 1–4–1 | 3–8–1 | .488 | .417 | L1 |
12 | Detroit Lions | North | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 2–4 | 4–8 | .504 | .427 | W1 |
13[lower-alpha 3] | New York Giants | East | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 1–5 | 4–8 | .527 | .487 | L3 |
14[lower-alpha 3] | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | South | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 2–4 | 4–8 | .523 | .506 | L4 |
15 | San Francisco 49ers | West | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 1–5 | 2–10 | .504 | .406 | L2 |
16 | Arizona Cardinals | West | 3 | 13 | 0 | .188 | 2–4 | 3–9 | .527 | .302 | L4 |
Tiebreakers[lower-alpha 4] | |||||||||||
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