1-866-915-1308 Buy Carolina Panthers Tickets, Get NFL Schedule information and more
Team History
The Carolina Panthers have had a roller coaster history since playing their first game in 1995. The team has captured the division championship twice and finished near last several times. The team has seemed to ebb and flow with the luck of free agency.
more...
Upcomming Schedule
More from the NFC South
The Panthers found incredible success in their second season, finishing first in the NFC West with a 12-4 record. The team, led by quarterback Kerry Collins, rookie receiver Mushin Muhammad, and veteran linebacker Kevin Greene came within one game of the Super Bowl that season. The Packers beat the Panthers 30-13 in the NFC Championship game.
The next season was muddled by off the field problems. Notably, Kerry Collins was dealing with alcoholism and the club began the season 2-4. The season was lost and the Panthers would have to wait six seasons before returning the playoffs.
The Panthers reached the Super Bowl after struggling for six years behind the play of quarterback Jake Delhomme, running back Stephen Davis, and the immortal Ricky Proehl. The strong defense took the team from an 11-5 division title through the Cowboys, the Rams, and the Eagles. The team ran out of steam in the Super Bowl and lost 32-29 to the Patriots.
The Panthers and Patriots were tied at 29 with minutes to go when the Panthers kicked the ball out of bounds on the kick off, giving the Patriots plenty of time on the clock and excellent field position. The Patriots set up Adam Vinatieri for a 41-yard field goal, and despite missing two field goals earlier in the game, he would nail that one and win the game for the Patriots.
The Panthers threatened again in the 2005 playoffs, but lost in the NFC title game to the Seahawks. Since then, the club has been bordering on .500 with no obvious direction.
Jake Delhomme continues to be the Panthers quarterback, but last season found him out with injury. The Panthers went through two more quarterbacks and were forced to sign Vinnie Testaverde to play the rest of the season. The running back position appears in the air, with DeAngelo Williams the favorite on the strength of his five yards a carry average from last season.
The Panthers are expected to use their 13th pick in the draft to strengthen the offensive line, so the team does not have to sign four quarterbacks and the running backs are given a chance to gain positive yardage. The defense appears solid and will return much intact from the 2007 season.
The Panthers hope that the 2008 season at Bank of America Stadium is not riddled by injuries. The club could make a strong push for the playoffs with the aid of the weak NFC South schedule.