Following an impressive run after finishing 6-10 (2016), the Carolina Panthers made a return to the playoffs and nearly earned a wild card victory but three losses to New Orleans ruined a quality 2017 season. Expectations were high entering last year and initially the Panthers appeared ready to meet them head on from the start.
Opening with a home victory over the Dallas Cowboys, Carolina won six of their first eight games positioning themselves for both a return to the playoffs and first back-to-back winning seasons in franchise history. Then came an agonizing defeat on national television at the hands of Pittsburgh as quarterback Cam Newton re-injured his shoulder setting the tone for a disastrous second half.