The Carolina Panthers were the worst team in the NFL in 2023 and then benched their No. 1 overall quarterback after two weeks this year.
The 2024 season hasn’t quite turned out to be a total disaster, with Bryce Young bouncing back from his benching for the first sustained positive stretch of his career. Still, close losses are still losses in the standings, leaving the Panthers with very faint playoff hopes.
Using the PFN Playoff Predictor, we look at Carolina’s slim chances of reaching the postseason after their Week 15 loss to the Cowboys.
Carolina Panthers Playoffs Scenarios | Week 15 Update
NFC Scores in Week 15 Relevant to Playoff Race
- Rams defeated 49ers, 12-6
- Commanders defeated Saints, 20-19
- Cowboys defeated Panthers, 30-14
- Eagles defeated Steelers, 27-13
- Cardinals defeated Patriots, 30-17
- Buccaneers defeated Chargers, 40-17
- Bills defeated Lions, 48-42
PFN’s Playoff Predictor gives Carolina a 0% chance to make the postseason. So, in other words, no chance. Entering Week 15, they did have an outside chance to win the division, but that dream has evaporated with the Panthers losing in Week 15.
The Panthers will close the season at home vs. the Cardinals, at Tampa Bay, and at Atlanta. Panthers fans will now turn their attention to Carolina’s chances at the number one overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Panthers Week 15 Preview and Insights Published Before Kickoff
Preview courtesy PFN’s Jason Katz
How Is Adam Thielen Still Doing It?
At 34 years old, Adam Thielen is not only the oldest wide receiver in the NFL, but he’s over two years older than the second-oldest, Davante Adams.
Wide receivers typically start to decline at the age of 30, with 32 often being the last time they can do anything productive.
Thielen is currently averaging 2.10 yards per route run. If that holds, it would rank as the best-recorded number in that stat among age-34 WRs since 2012. For comparison, here are some other age-34-season yards-per-route-run numbers.
- Reggie Wayne: 1.98
- Larry Fitzgerald: 1.78
- Steve Smith Sr.: 1.63
- Anquan Boldin: 1.58
- Andre Johnson: 1.08
Could Thielen keep it going at the age of 35?
The only WRs to even have a qualifying season (minimum 50 targets) at 35 since 2012 were Smith, Fitzgerald, Wayne, Boldin, and Randy Moss.
Just How Bad Is the Panthers’ Run Defense?
The Panthers enter Week 15 having allowed the most total rushing yards in the league. They’ve surrendered 2,211 yards on the ground, a full 300 yards more than the second-worst Colts.
- The Panthers allow 5.0 yards per carry, the worst in the league.
- Their defensive total rush EPA is -16.84. That’s actually the second worst. Their Week 15 opponent is at -18.28.
- The Panthers have allowed 57 rushes of 10+ yards, trailing only the Indianapolis Colts (58).
- They’ve allowed 124 first downs on the ground, 15 more than the second-worst Cowboys.
Over the past three weeks, the Cowboys have committed to Rico Dowdle as their clear RB1. He’s seen snap shares of 61%, 70%, and 77%. His rushing yardage totals have been 86, 112, and 131. He’s carried the ball 59 times over that span.