Predicting Panthers 2025 Wins by Scheule

Zak Drapeau
6 days ago
7 min read

by Zak Drapeau 8/14/2025 Sportz Nation

Team Overview

The Panthers are entering their 3rd season with Bryce Young and 2nd of the Dave Canales era and the pressure is on. 2024 was a turbulent season for the Panthers and especially for Young who was benched in favor of Andy Dalton in Week 3. Thankfully Young would get another chance and actually redeem himself by putting together a very solid final 10 games of the season, completing 61.7% of his throws and averaging 230 total yards and 2 TDs a game.

The rebuild of the Panthers offense would continue this off season with additions including top prospect WR Tetairoa McMillan and veteran WR Hunter Renfrow on offense. No new additions would come to the offensive line however meaning Young's 28 sacks in 12 starts may get even worse in 2025.

On defense, the Panthers would add a LOT of new talent after the team would finish 32nd in yards allowed and points against. Free Agent additions include Tershawn Wharton, Bobby Brown, Boogie Basham and Patrick Jones on the D-line and Tre'von Moehrig in the secondary. They'd triple down in the draft and take two premier edge rushers in Princely Umanmielen and Nic Scourton.

Every addition is a solid way to start a rebuild but in reality, the Panthers brought in almost 10 guys that are okay but with very little potential to become game changers in the NFL. Some argue whether the Panthers' rebuild is just bringing in the same level of guys as their previous years and if this is enough help Bryce Young make the leap to greatness we all expect from him this year. Let's find out if they've done so as we look at the Panthers' schedule, game-by-game.

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Week 1: @ Jaguars

Traveling down to Jacksonville, the Panthers will look to get going early but unfortunately will be attacked by the Jaguars pass rush. The Panthers' new Front-7 will also give the Jaguars' fits but not enough as Trevor Lawrence is able to outduel Young.

Prediction: Jaguars 22-17

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Week 2: @ Cardinals

The Cardinals matchup is another that will give the Panthers' offense fits. McMillan will be able to do some work here but the best way to attack the Cardinals is through the run. Chuba Hubbard might be able to have a good game too but unfortunately they won't be able to put up enough points this way and the Cardinals will outscore them at home.

Prediction: Cardinals 28-24

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Week 3: vs Falcons

Home opener and divisional opener as the Falcons come to town with a roster very similar to the Panthers. Young head coach and Quarterback with some dynamic playmakers and a newly built pass rush. The Falcons are a year or even two ahead of the Panthers in rebuild and talent though and even a home game can't save the Panthers in this one.

Prediction: Falcons 24-20

___________________________________ Week 4: @ Patriots

In a third away game in the first 4 weeks, the Panthers have to travel to New England and face the best defense they've seen up to this point. In New England, the pass rush is the weakest part of their defense and their secondary will expose Young and possibly take the ball away multiple times as the Patriots roll the Panthers at home.

Prediction: Patriots 27-17

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Week 5: vs Dolphins

After an 0-4 start, the Panthers are back at home and this is where they get their first win. The Dolphins defense is very shaky so Young will bounce back with a much better game and this one will depend solely on the Panthers' D limiting Tua. As long as Tyreek doesn't go too crazy, the Panthers should be able to hold home turf and get a much-needed win here.

Prediction: Panthers 28-20

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Week 6: vs Cowboys

The Cowboys come to town on this extended home stand and their roster is better than the Dolphins. Micah Parsons will be devastating to the Panthers in this one and their CB-duo of Bland and Diggs will do what they do and grab some turnovers as the Panthers once again fall because of poor offense.

Prediction: Cowboys 35-17

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Week 7: @ Jets

If the season goes down this way, Bryce Young will be again on the hot seat and a road trip to the Jets won't do him any favors. The offense is good but any errant interceptions in this one and I can see Andy Dalton getting some snaps.

Prediction: Jets 28-21

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Week 8: vs Bills

At this point the team is 1-6 and neither side of the ball is doing well before the Bills come to town. In a valiant effort, Bryce Young has a solid game before the team eventually loses at the end to a Bills team that was always going to win this one.

Prediction: Bills 26-20

___________________________________ Week 9: @ Packers

At this point or even for the Bills game is where I believe Andy Dalton gets the start. Young's failures aren't entirely his fault thanks to the weak O-line but nonetheless he's not getting it done. In a trip to Green Bay, Dalton commands the team and has one or fewer turnovers but are still defeated by a better team.

Prediction: Packers 31-27

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Week 10: vs Saints

With Dalton the team seems ready to change its' losing ways and the first Saints matchup at home seems like the best way to start. Unfortunately, the Saints secondary is their best unit and Dalton's play drastically falls with several turnovers and leads to the Saints winning and pushing the Panthers to the #1 pick.

Prediction: Saints 24-20

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Week 11: @ Falcons

Now at 1-9, the Panthers have to travel to Atlanta and fall to the same thing that hurt them in the first matchup. The defense is just not equipped to handle all the playmakers on the Falcons' offense and when the other team scores more than 21 points, the Panthers haven't won all year.

Prediction: Falcons 31-21

___________________________________ Week 12: @ 49ers (MNF)

This matchup is extremely one-sided on paper with the 7-4 49ers at home hosting the 1-10 Panthers on prime time. The 49ers will actually make the Panthers look good and the matchup works with the Panthers pass rush finally doing work and getting to Purdy. Alas, the 49ers are too much better and at home, and squeak out a win.

Prediction: 49ers 23-20

___________________________________ Week 13: vs Rams

Just like last year, the Panthers say "why not?" and give the start back to Bryce Young with nothing to lose. In a mirror of last season, Young coming back to the lineup reinvigorates the offense and takes advantage of the depleted secondary of LA to finally snap their losing streak.

Prediction: Panthers 28-27

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Week 14: BYE Week

Still in last place, the Panthers season is over but Bryce Young's appearance back with the team has given them a new light that maybe they can still get some wins at the end of the year. An earlier BYE Week could have turned their season around but with a late week off after an upset win, the team gets ready to try and finish the season strong.

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Week 15: @ Saints

After a week of rest and Bryce Young taking back control of the team, he's able to play around a good Saints' secondary and not turn the ball over. The Panthers' defense also plays well and they pick up their first 2-game win streak of the season.

Prediction: Panthers 27-17

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Week 16: vs Buccaneers

This is a huge game in their first matchup against the NFC South-leading Buccs. Being at home, the Panthers are able to have a good defensive game and limit Baker's arm. Somehow Bryce Young carries his momentum from the past 3 weeks and has his best game of the season, upsetting the Buccaneers.

Prediction: Panthers 31-26

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Week 17: vs Seahawks (TBD)

The Panthers have now played themselves out of the #1 pick and just like last year, Young has shown people that he does have a lot of potential but too late in the season. After winning 3-straight, the Panthers now face a VERY good defense and secondary and Young comes back to earth with a couple turnovers.

Prediction: Seahawks 31-17

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Week 18: @ Buccaneers (TBD)

The Panthers are playing for pride and Bryce is playing for his job but the Buccs are legit playing for the #1 seed and at home. The Panthers have a good game but Baker does his thing and takes the win to send the Panthers home in disarray.

Prediction: Buccaneers 27-20

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The Panthers end their season with a 4-13 record including a 3-5 record at home and a 2-4 record within the NFC South.

Well... if how I see this season going comes true, Bryce Young won't be getting his 5th year option picked up next off season. Even after his late season surge, he falls back to mediocrity in the final two games and coaching will look for another QB in next year's draft with a Top-5 pick. Not completely his fault, the O-line was a mess again this year and had Bryce always uncomfortable but his turnover problems were a reason they lost several games.

The young group of players on this team performed well but got a limited amount of time to shine on such a bad roster. Tet McMilllan showed flashes but couldn't go above and beyond with poor-QB play. The Panthers rookie duo of pass rushers were the best of their newest class and may actually be something special in the future.

The Panthers will have one more off season to rebuild this team or Dave Canales may see his tenure in Carolina lasting even shorter than Bryce's.

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