2020 Carolina Panthers season

The 2020 season was the Carolina Panthers' 26th in the National Football League and their first under head coach Matt Rhule. The offseason saw several notable departures; Quarterback Cam Newton was released after the Panthers were unable to find a team willing to trade for him, while linebacker Luke Kuechly announced his retirement on January 14, 2020. On December 21, 2020 the Panthers parted ways with GM Marty Hurney after a total of 19 seasons with the organization.

2020 Carolina Panthers season
OwnerDavid Tepper
General managerMarty Hurney (fired Dec. 21)
Head coachMatt Rhule
Home fieldBank of America Stadium
Results
Record5–11
Division place3rd NFC South
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro BowlersNone
Uniform

With a loss to the Vikings in week 12, the Panthers secured their third consecutive non-winning season. After losing their first two games and winning the next three, the Panthers suffered a five-game losing streak before beating the Lions in week 11 and losing to the Vikings before their bye week. After their week 15 loss to the Packers, Carolina was eliminated from the playoffs for the third consecutive season. With the loss to the Saints in week 17, the Panthers matched their 5–11 record from the previous season.

Draft
Main article: 2020 NFL Draft
2020 Carolina Panthers Draft
RoundSelectionPlayerPositionCollegeNotes
17 Derrick BrownDTAuburn
238 Yetur Gross-MatosDEPenn State
64 Jeremy ChinnSSouthern Illinoisfrom Seattle
4113 Troy PrideCBNotre Dame
5152 Kenny RobinsonSWest Virginiafrom Washington
6184 Bravvion RoyDTBaylor
7221 Stantley Thomas-OliverCBFlorida International

Draft trades

  • Carolina traded their third- and fifth- round selections (69th and 148th) to Seattle in exchange for their second round selection (64th)
  • Carolina traded quarterback Kyle Allen to Washington for their fifth-round selection (152nd overall)

Staff
2020 Carolina Panthers staff
Front office
  • Owner – David Tepper
  • Executive director of player personnel – Jeff Morrow
  • Executive director of football staff – Mark Carrier
  • Vice president of football operations – Sean Padden
  • Director of football operations – Bryan Porter
  • Director of player personnel – Pat Stewart
  • Director of pro personnel – Matt Allen
  • Director of football analytics – Taylor Rajack

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

 Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Coaching assistants

  • Assistant to the Head Coach – Matthew Delgado
  • Coaching Assistant – EJ Barthel
  • Coaching Assistant – DJ Mangas
  • Coaching Assistant – Grant Udinski
  • Coaching Assistant – Cedric Whitaker

Strength and conditioning

  • Head athletic trainer – Kevin King
  • Strength and conditioning – Jeremy Scott
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Gus Felder and Thomas Barbeau

Final roster
2020 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, 12 inactive, 14 practice squad (+1 exempt)

Preseason

The Panthers' preseason schedule was announced on May 7, but was later cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[1]

Week Date Opponent Venue Result
1 August 13 Jacksonville Jaguars Bank of America Stadium Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2 August 20 at New England Patriots Gillette Stadium
3 August 30 at Baltimore Ravens M&T Bank Stadium
4 September 3 Pittsburgh Steelers Bank of America Stadium

Regular season

Schedule

The Panthers' 2020 schedule was announced on May 7.[1]

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 September 13 Las Vegas Raiders L 30–34 0–1 Bank of America Stadium Recap
2 September 20 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 17–31 0–2 Raymond James Stadium Recap
3 September 27 at Los Angeles Chargers W 21–16 1–2 SoFi Stadium Recap
4 October 4 Arizona Cardinals W 31–21 2–2 Bank of America Stadium Recap
5 October 11 at Atlanta Falcons W 23–16 3–2 Mercedes-Benz Stadium Recap
6 October 18 Chicago Bears L 16–23 3–3 Bank of America Stadium Recap
7 October 25 at New Orleans Saints L 24–27 3–4 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap
8 October 29 Atlanta Falcons L 17–25 3–5 Bank of America Stadium Recap
9 November 8 at Kansas City Chiefs L 31–33 3–6 Arrowhead Stadium Recap
10 November 15 Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 23–46 3–7 Bank of America Stadium Recap
11 November 22 Detroit Lions W 20–0 4–7 Bank of America Stadium Recap
12 November 29 at Minnesota Vikings L 27–28 4–8 U.S. Bank Stadium Recap
13 Bye
14 December 13 Denver Broncos L 27–32 4–9 Bank of America Stadium Recap
15 December 19 at Green Bay Packers L 16–24 4–10 Lambeau Field Recap
16 December 27 at Washington Football Team W 20–13 5–10 FedExField Recap
17 January 3 New Orleans Saints L 7–33 5–11 Bank of America Stadium Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Week 1: vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Week One: Las Vegas Raiders at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Raiders 7 10 10734
Panthers 9 6 01530

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

In the Panther's home opener, they came close to beating the Las Vegas Raiders until a Raiders touchdown at the end of the fourth quarter. The Panthers, facing a 4th and 1 near midfield, gave the ball to FB Alexander Armah who was stuffed at the line of scrimmage, resulting in a turnover on downs; they were criticized for not giving the ball to McCaffrey. The Panthers lost 30–34 and started off the season 0–1.

Week 2: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week Two: Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Panthers 0 0 71017
Buccaneers 14 7 01031

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

Game information

Carolina traveled down south to Tampa Bay to face their new quarterback, Tom Brady. It was a scoreless first half for the Panthers while Tampa Bay managed to score 21 points. In the third Christian McCaffrey put points up on the board for Carolina. He again scored another touchdown early in the fourth decreasing the lead to seven. Soon after he left the game with a sprained ankle. Tampa Bay and Carolina then both scored field goals. Leonard Fournette ran up the field 46-yards for a Bucs touchdown. The Buccaneers defeat the Panthers 31–17. With this loss, the Panthers suffered their second consecutive 0–2 start.

Week 3: at Los Angeles Chargers
Week Three: Carolina Panthers at Los Angeles Chargers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Panthers 6 12 0321
Chargers 0 7 3616

at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California

  • Date: September 27
  • Game time: 4:05 p.m. EDT/1:05 p.m. PDT
  • Game weather: Hazy, 77 °F (25 °C)
  • Game attendance: 0
  • Referee: Tony Corrente
  • TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel, Rich Gannon and Jay Feely
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

The Panthers were able to hold off the Chargers and defeat them 21–16, improving to 1–2. With this win they snapped a 10-game losing streak dating back to week 9 of last season.[2]

Week 4: vs. Arizona Cardinals
Week Four: Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 0 7 7721
Panthers 14 7 7331

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

The Panthers started the game off with scoring two touchdowns by Mike Davis and Teddy Bridgewater in the first quarter. In the second Arizona's Patrick Peterson intercepted a pass intended for Ian Thomas. Kyler Murray threw a three-yard pass to Jordan Thomas resulting in a Cardinals touchdown. Kyler Murray fumbles the ball in the third quarter and it was recovered by Carolina. The Panthers score with another Ian Thomas touchdown. Arizona answers back with a touchdown. Joey Slye kicks a field goal for Carolina, and Chase Edmonds scores a touchdown for Arizona in the fourth. Panthers win 31–21 and improve to 2–2.

Ahead of this matchup, the Panthers announced that they would be deploying robotic technology to disinfect areas around their stadium and locker room as an effort to keep fans and players safe from COVID-19.[3]

Week 5: at Atlanta Falcons
Week Five: Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Panthers 3 17 0323
Falcons 7 0 3616

at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

Game information

The Panthers defeat the Falcons 23–16, and improve to 3–2. This was also the team's first win in Atlanta since 2014.

Week 6: vs. Chicago Bears
Week Six: Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bears 7 6 7323
Panthers 3 3 01016

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

Chicago beats Carolina 23–16, and the Panthers fall to 3–3.

Week 7: at New Orleans Saints
Week Seven: Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Panthers 3 14 7024
Saints 7 14 3327

at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

  • Date: October 25
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT/12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 3,000
  • Referee: Craig Wrolstad
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Kugler, Chris Spielman and Laura Okmin
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

It was another close one for the Panthers but they ended up losing to Saints 24–27 after Joey Slye missed a tying field goal, and fall to 3–4. This was quarterback Teddy Bridgewater's first return to New Orleans since leaving the team via free agency during the offseason.

Week 8: vs. Atlanta Falcons
Week Eight: Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Falcons 6 10 3625
Panthers 7 7 3017

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

Week 9: at Kansas City Chiefs
Week Nine: Carolina Panthers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Panthers 7 10 01431
Chiefs 3 10 71333

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

Game information

Week 10: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week Ten: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Buccaneers 7 10 121746
Panthers 14 3 0623

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

  • Date: November 15
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 65 °F (18 °C)
  • Game attendance: 5,815
  • Referee: Land Clark
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Burkhardt, Daryl Johnston and Pam Oliver
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 11: vs. Detroit Lions
Week Eleven: Detroit Lions at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Lions 0 0 000
Panthers 7 0 10320

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

  • Date: November 22
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 65 °F (18 °C)
  • Game attendance: 5,546
  • Referee: Ronald Torbert
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Kugler, Chris Spielman and Laura Okmin
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

This was the Panthers' first shutout win since Week 14 of 2015. It was also QB P.J. Walker's first NFL start.

Week 12: at Minnesota Vikings
Week Twelve: Carolina Panthers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Panthers 0 7 14627
Vikings 7 3 01828

at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: November 29
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 0
  • Referee: Brad Rogers
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma and Shannon Spake
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

In the final minutes of the game, the Panthers had a 27-21 lead over Minnesota. However, Kirk Cousins threw the game-winning touchdown with 46 seconds left.

Week 14: vs. Denver Broncos
Week Fourteen: Denver Broncos at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Broncos 6 7 12732
Panthers 0 7 31727

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

  • Date: December 13
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Partly cloudy, 70 °F (21 °C)
  • Game attendance: 5,768
  • Referee: Shawn Hochuli
  • TV announcers (CBS): Andrew Catalon, James Lofton and Sherree Burruss
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

With this loss, the Carolina Panthers are 1-6 in their last 7 games vs Denver

Week 15: at Green Bay Packers
Week Fifteen: Carolina Panthers at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Panthers 3 0 7616
Packers 7 14 0324

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Game information

Week 16: at Washington Football Team
Week Sixteen: Carolina Panthers at Washington Football Team – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Panthers 6 14 0020
Washington 0 3 3713

at FedExField, Landover, Maryland

Game information

With the win against the Washington Football Team, the Panthers recorded their 200th win in franchise history.

Week 17: vs. New Orleans Saints
Week Seventeen: New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Saints 7 9 10733
Panthers 7 0 007

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

  • Date: January 3, 2021
  • Game time: 4:25 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 57 °F (14 °C)
  • Game attendance: 1,500
  • Referee: John Hussey
  • TV announcers (Fox): Adam Amin, Mark Schlereth and Lindsay Czarniak
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Division
NFC South
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(2) New Orleans Saints 12 4 0 .750 6–0 10–2 482 337 W2
(5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers 11 5 0 .688 4–2 8–4 492 355 W4
Carolina Panthers 5 11 0 .313 1–5 4–8 350 402 L1
Atlanta Falcons 4 12 0 .250 1–5 2–10 396 414 L5

Conference
NFC
# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV STK
Division leaders
1 Green Bay Packers North 13 3 0 .813 5–1 10–2 .428 .387 W6
2[lower-alpha 1] New Orleans Saints South 12 4 0 .750 6–0 10–2 .459 .406 W2
3[lower-alpha 1] Seattle Seahawks West 12 4 0 .750 4–2 9–3 .447 .404 W4
4 Washington Football Team East 7 9 0 .438 4–2 5–7 .459 .388 W1
Wild cards
5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers South 11 5 0 .688 4–2 8–4 .488 .392 W4
6 Los Angeles Rams West 10 6 0 .625 3–3 9–3 .494 .484 W1
7[lower-alpha 2] Chicago Bears North 8 8 0 .500 2–4 6–6 .488 .336 L1
Did not qualify for the postseason
8[lower-alpha 2] Arizona Cardinals West 8 8 0 .500 2–4 6–6 .475 .441 L2
9 Minnesota Vikings North 7 9 0 .438 4–2 5–7 .504 .366 W1
10[lower-alpha 3] San Francisco 49ers West 6 10 0 .375 3–3 4–8 .549 .448 L1
11[lower-alpha 3][lower-alpha 4] New York Giants East 6 10 0 .375 4–2 5–7 .502 .427 W1
12[lower-alpha 4] Dallas Cowboys East 6 10 0 .375 2–4 5–7 .471 .333 L1
13[lower-alpha 5] Carolina Panthers South 5 11 0 .313 1–5 4–8 .531 .388 L1
14[lower-alpha 5] Detroit Lions North 5 11 0 .313 1–5 4–8 .508 .350 L4
15 Philadelphia Eagles East 4 11 1 .281 2–4 4–8 .537 .469 L3
16 Atlanta Falcons South 4 12 0 .250 1–5 2–10 .551 .391 L5
Tiebreakers[lower-alpha 6]
  1. New Orleans finished ahead of Seattle based on conference record.
  2. Chicago finished and clinched the 7th and final playoff spot ahead of Arizona based on better win percentage in common games (against Detroit, the NY Giants, Carolina, and the LA Rams, Chicago finished 3–2, while Arizona finished 1–4).
  3. San Francisco finished ahead of the NY Giants based on head-to-head victory. Division tie break was initially used to eliminate Dallas (see below).
  4. NY Giants won tiebreaker over Dallas based on division record.
  5. Carolina finished ahead of Detroit based on head-to-head victory.
  6. 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.

References
  1. Shook, Nick (July 27, 2020). "Roger Goodell writes letter to NFL fans as training camps start across U.S." NFL. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  2. Gantt, Darin (September 27, 2020). "Panthers snap 10-game losing streak, beat Chargers". ProFootballTalk. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
  3. Young, Jabari (October 1, 2020). "The Carolina Panthers will use a $125,000 virus-killing robot in their stadium as fans return with Covid-19 restrictions". CNBC.
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