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. Also Ron Rivera was appointed as the head coach of the Washington Football Team. 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 | |
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Owner | David Tepper |
Head coach | Matt Rhule |
General manager | Marty Hurney (fired Dec. 21) |
Home field | Bank of America Stadium |
Results | |
Record | 5–11 |
Division place | 3rd NFC South |
Playoff finish | Did not qualify |
Pro Bowlers | None |
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
Round | Selection | Player | Position | College | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 7 | Derrick Brown | DT | Auburn | |
2 | 38 | Yetur Gross-Matos | DE | Penn State | |
64 | Jeremy Chinn | S | Southern Illinois | from Seattle | |
4 | 113 | Troy Pride | CB | Notre Dame | |
5 | 152 | Kenny Robinson | S | West Virginia | |
6 | 184 | Bravvion Roy | DT | Baylor | |
7 | 221 | Stantley Thomas-Oliver | CB | Florida International |
Staff
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
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Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Coaching assistants
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
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
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Raiders | 7 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 34 |
Panthers | 9 | 6 | 0 | 15 | 30 |
at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
- Date: September 13
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: Mostly sunny, 81 °F (27 °C)
- Game attendance: 0
- Referee: Brad Allen
- TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel, Rich Gannon and Jay Feely
- Recap, Game Book
Game information | ||
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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
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Panthers | 0 | 0 | 7 | 10 | 17 |
Buccaneers | 14 | 7 | 0 | 10 | 31 |
at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
- Date: September 20
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: Cloudy, 85 °F (29 °C)
- Game attendance: 0
- Referee: John Hussey
- TV announcers (Fox): Adam Amin, Mark Schlereth and Lindsay Czarniak
- Recap, Game Book
Game information | ||
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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
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Panthers | 6 | 12 | 0 | 3 | 21 |
Chargers | 0 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 16 |
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 | ||
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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
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cardinals | 0 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 21 |
Panthers | 14 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 31 |
at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
- Date: October 4
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: Mostly sunny, 68 °F (20 °C)
- Game attendance: 5,120
- Referee: Ronald Torbert
- TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Kugler, Chris Spielman and Laura Okmin
- Recap, Game Book
Game information | ||
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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
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Panthers | 3 | 17 | 0 | 3 | 23 |
Falcons | 7 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 16 |
at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
- Date: October 11
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
- Game attendance: 6,656
- Referee: Brad Allen
- TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Brock Huard and Jen Hale
- Recap, Game Book
Game information | ||
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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
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bears | 7 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 23 |
Panthers | 3 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 16 |
at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
- Date: October 18
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: Sunny, 63 °F (17 °C)
- Game attendance: 5,240
- Referee: Adrian Hill
- TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma and Shannon Spake
- Recap, Game Book
Game information | ||
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Chicago beats Carolina 23–16, and the Panthers fall to 3–3.
Week 7: at New Orleans Saints
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Panthers | 3 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 24 |
Saints | 7 | 14 | 3 | 3 | 27 |
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 | ||
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It was another close one for the Panthers but they ended up losing to Saints 24–27, 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
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Falcons | 6 | 10 | 3 | 6 | 25 |
Panthers | 7 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 17 |
at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
- Date: October 29
- Game time: 8:20 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: Partly cloudy, 76 °F (24 °C)
- Game attendance: 5,240
- Referee: Shawn Hochuli
- TV announcers (Fox/NFLN/Prime Video): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews and Kristina Pink
- Recap, Game Book
Game information | ||
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Week 9: at Kansas City Chiefs
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Panthers | 7 | 10 | 0 | 14 | 31 |
Chiefs | 3 | 10 | 7 | 13 | 33 |
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
- Date: November 8
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
- Game weather: Cloudy, 71 °F (22 °C)
- Game attendance: 12,073
- Referee: Clay Martin
- TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Burkhardt, Daryl Johnston and Pam Oliver
- Recap, Game Book
Game information | ||
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Week 10: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Buccaneers | 7 | 10 | 12 | 17 | 46 |
Panthers | 14 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 23 |
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 | ||
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Week 11: vs. Detroit Lions
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Lions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Panthers | 7 | 0 | 10 | 3 | 20 |
at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
Game information | ||
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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
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Panthers | 0 | 7 | 14 | 6 | 27 |
Vikings | 7 | 3 | 0 | 18 | 28 |
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 | ||
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Week 14: vs. Denver Broncos
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Broncos | 6 | 7 | 12 | 7 | 32 |
Panthers | 0 | 7 | 3 | 17 | 27 |
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 | ||
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Week 15: at Green Bay Packers
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Panthers | 3 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 16 |
Packers | 7 | 14 | 0 | 3 | 24 |
at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
- Date: December 19
- Game time: 8:15 p.m. EST/7:15 p.m. CST
- Game weather: Cloudy, 33 °F (1 °C)
- Game attendance: 0
- Referee: Alex Kemp
- TV announcers (NFLN): Joe Davis, Kurt Warner and Melissa Stark
- Recap, Game Book
Game information | ||
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Week 16: at Washington Football Team
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Panthers | 6 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
Washington | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 13 |
at FedExField, Landover, Maryland
- Date: December 27
- Game time: 4:05 p.m. EST
- Game weather: Sunny, 41 °F (5 °C)
- Game attendance: 0
- Referee: Carl Cheffers
- TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle, Charles Davis and Evan Washburn
- Recap, Game Book
Game information | ||
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With the win against the Washington Football Team, the Panthers recorded their 200th win in franchise history.
Week 17: vs. New Orleans Saints
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Saints | 7 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 33 |
Panthers | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
Game information | ||
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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
# | 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] | |||||||||||
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References
- Shook, Nick (July 27, 2020). "Roger Goodell writes letter to NFL fans as training camps start across U.S." NFL. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
- Gantt, Darin (27 September 2020). "Panthers snap 10-game losing streak, beat Chargers". ProFootballTalk. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
- 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.