Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the NFC South Division. Founded in 1993 and beginning play in 1995, the Panthers quickly made an impact on the league, reaching the NFC Championship Game in just their second season.
The team plays its home games at Bank of America Stadium, located in uptown Charlotte—a venue known for its electric game-day atmosphere and loyal fan base known as the "Panther Nation."
4th & Forever Editor: Vickie Mathis at the Panthers game against the Saints
Week 11: Panthers Edge Falcons 30-27 in Overtime ATLANTA — The Falcons dropped their fifth straight game and second consecutive in overtime, falling 30-27 to the Carolina Panthers. Carolina won the opening coin toss, and Atlanta received the ball first. Bijan Robinson gained four yards on the first carry, followed by a screen pass that picked up an easy first down—though an ineligible man downfield penalty on Ryan Neuzil wiped out the play. A pass to tight end Kyle Pitts was dropped, and a third-down attempt to KhaDarel Hodge fell incomplete. Matt Bosher’s punt pinned the Panthers at their own 29-yard line. The Panthers moved the ball methodically, with Chuba Hubbard and Tommy Tremble picking up key yardage. Ryan Fitzgerald’s game-winning field goal in overtime sealed the 30-27 victory for Carolina.
Rookie Tyler Shough Leads Saints to 17-7 Win Over Panthers CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough delivered a standout performance, throwing for two touchdowns to guide the New Orleans Saints to a 17-7 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, snapping a four-game losing streak. Shough, a second-round pick out of Louisville who started the season as New Orleans’ backup, completed 282 passing yards, including a 62-yard strike to Chris Olave and a 30-yard touchdown to Juwan Johnson. His win made him the first Saints rookie quarterback to secure a victory since Dave Wilson in 1981. Olave caught five passes for 104 yards, and Alvin Kamara added 83 rushing yards as the Saints (2-8) outgained Carolina 388-175. Saints coach Kellen Moore praised Shough’s poise and playmaking, noting his ability to improvise under pressure. For Shough, the highlight was the team celebration in the locker room after a tough stretch of games. “It came down to playing good complementary football,” he said. “It’s been a process learning the formula for success, and we’ve got to keep building on it.” The Panthers (5-5), who had won four of their previous five games, were stymied after opening with a 5-yard TD run by Rico Dowdle on their first drive. Carolina managed only 83 first-half yards and struggled to sustain drives after that early score. Quarterback Bryce Young was held to 124 passing yards, turned the ball over twice, and saw his four-game winning streak end. A blocked field goal by the Saints early in the third quarter and a Young fumble on a handoff exchange gave New Orleans opportunities they capitalized on. Alontae Taylor’s interception set up Shough’s 30-yard touchdown pass to Johnson, sealing the win. Olave found personal redemption in the victory, returning to Bank of America Stadium a year after a concussion ended his 2024 season there. “It was a tough situation last year, but having my family here today helped me focus,” he said. The Saints will enjoy a bye next week before hosting Atlanta on Nov. 23, while Carolina remains 1½ games behind NFC South leader Tampa Bay.
Rico Dowdle shines at running back. In his first start, Dowdle carried the Panthers’ offense, rushing for 130 yards and scoring twice on 25 carries. Defense steps up: Carolina limited Green Bay’s high-powered attack, allowing just one touchdown on four red-zone trips. Turnover edge: The Panthers came away with two takeaways compared to one for the Packers, swinging momentum in their favor. Decisive Moment After Packers RB Josh Jacobs tied the game at 13 with 2:32 remaining, the Panthers responded quickly. QB Bryce Young led an eight-play, 40-yard drive, setting up rookie kicker Ryan Fitzgerald for a game-winning 49-yard field goal as time expired. Players of the Game RB Rico Dowdle: 25 carries, 130 yards, 2 TDs S Tre’von Moehrig: 5 tackles (2 for loss), 1 interception DL Tershawn Wharton: 7 tackles, 1 sack
James Cook Rushes for 216 Yards, Bills Cruise Past Panthers 40-9 CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Coming off their bye week, the Buffalo Bills returned with a statement performance, routing the Carolina Panthers 40-9 on Sunday. Rookie standout James Cook rushed for a career-high 216 yards and two touchdowns, while quarterback Josh Allen accounted for three scores, extending his post-bye record to 8-0. Allen became the first player in NFL history to both run and pass for a touchdown in 46 consecutive games, surpassing Cam Newton’s previous mark. He finished 12-of-19 for 163 yards, highlighted by a 54-yard catch-and-run to Khalil Shakir. Cook gashed Carolina’s eighth-ranked run defense with touchdown runs of 64 and 21 yards, joining O.J. Simpson and Cookie Gilchrist as the only Bills backs to reach 200 rushing yards and two scores in a game. The Bills dominated from the start, building a 19-3 halftime lead thanks to Cook’s 153 first-half rushing yards and several costly turnovers by Panthers QB Andy Dalton, who was filling in for the injured Bryce Young. Buffalo’s defense forced three turnovers and sacked Dalton seven times, effectively ending Carolina’s three-game winning streak. Allen also added two short touchdown runs, tying Newton for the most career rushing TDs by a quarterback at 77. Buffalo’s defense received a boost from Michael Hoecht, making his season debut after a suspension, helping keep Carolina off balance throughout the contest. The Panthers, who were aiming for a 5-3 start, struggled to maintain their usual offensive rhythm, compounded by multiple injuries along their offensive line. Coach Dave Canales acknowledged the team fell short of their standards. “What we put out there today was not us,” Canales said. “We need to refocus and get back to work.” Buffalo rolled to a dominant 40-3 lead by the third quarter, with Allen finding Shakir for a touchdown and Cook controlling the ground game before sitting out the fourth quarter with the win well in hand. Carolina’s hopes of maintaining playoff momentum were dashed as Dalton ended the game with two fumbles and an interception.
Panthers Hold Off Jets 13-6, Bryce Young Exits with Ankle Injury EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The Carolina Panthers extended their winning streak to three games with a 13-6 victory over the winless New York Jets on Sunday, but the team faces uncertainty at quarterback after Bryce Young left with an ankle injury. Young threw a touchdown pass before exiting late in the third quarter, walking off the field with a noticeable limp. The Panthers later listed his status as questionable before ruling him out for the remainder of the game. Coach Dave Canales said the team would continue evaluating Young’s right ankle. Defensively, Carolina made life difficult for New York. Jaycee Horn intercepted Jets QB Tyrod Taylor twice after Justin Fields was benched, helping preserve the narrow lead. Andy Dalton took over at quarterback with 34 seconds left in the third quarter, following Horn’s one-handed interception in the end zone. On Young’s final snap, he was sacked by Jowon Briggs before Carolina punted. The victory marks the first three-game winning streak for the Panthers with Young as the starter since he was drafted No. 1 overall in 2023, though his availability for upcoming games remains in question.