The Carolina Panthers entered last season with high hopes after being knocked out of the playoffs by divisional rival New Orleans a year prior. Despite the fact that Carolina has yet to record back-to-back winning seasons in franchise history, the Panthers appeared poised to break the trend with six wins over their first eight games.
On pace for a return to the playoffs, a monumental second half slide led to a less than stellar finish. The Panthers dropped seven of their final eight games and nearly went winless during the entire second half if not for a win over the New Orleans Saints, who had already secured their post season plans.