2012 Carolina Panthers season

The  Carolina Panthers season is the franchise's 18th season in the National Football League and the second under head coach Ron Rivera. A day after the Panthers loss to Dallas, general manager Marty Hurney was fired. Until a new general manager is hired, Panthers director of football operations Brandon Beane will handle GM operations. In a statistical rarity, the team has lost all 13 of their coin tosses this year, something that has a 1 in 8,192 chance of happening. In the thirteenth game, the Panthers asked fans on Facebook to make the call, but the vote ended in a 50/50 tie.

Logo change
On January 30, 2012, the Panthers unveiled an updated version of the team's logo, the team's first (and only) logo change since the Panthers entered the NFL in.

2012 draft board
The Panthers do not have a 3rd round selection. NOTES:
 * undefined The team traded its third-round selection to the Chicago Bears in exchange for TE Greg Olsen.


 * undefined The Panthers finished with the same record and strength of schedule as the Miami Dolphins. This selection is the 9th, based on a coin toss at the NFL Scouting Combine won by Miami in March.


 * undefined The Panthers finished with the same record and strength of schedule as the Miami Dolphins. This selection is the 40th, based on a coin toss at the NFL Scouting Combine in March won by the Miami Dolphins.


 * undefined The team traded its sixth-round selection (#180) and their third-round selection in 2013 to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for their fourth-round selection (#103).


 * undefined The Panthers received one compensatory pick for the 207 pick overall.


 * Exact numbers of the selections from rounds 4–7 will be determined after compensatory selections are awarded at the NFL owners' meetings in late March.

Schedule
The Panthers' preseason schedule was announced on April 4, 2012.

Schedule
LEGEND:
 * Bold indicates division opponents.


 * undefined Simulcast locally on WSOC-TV.
 * undefined Simulcast locally on WCNC-TV.
 * Indicates that the game time and network are subject to change as a result of flexible scheduling.

Week 1: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Panthers started the season at 0-1 picking up their 4th straight regular season opening loss. Also, the team dropped to 0-11 in games where starting QB Cam Newton turns the ball over as he was picked off twice.

Week 2: vs. New Orleans Saints
With the win, the Panthers improved to 1-1, snapping their 4-game losing streak against the Saints. Also, the team improved to 1-11 in games where Newton has at least 1 turnover.

Week 3: vs. New York Giants
With the huge loss on Thursday Night Football, the Panthers fell to 1-2. The team also dropped to 1-12 in games where Cam Newton has at least 1 turnover.

Week 4: at Atlanta Falcons
With their 5th straight loss to the Falcons, the Panthers fell to 1-3. Also for the first time ever the team also loses a game after Newton doesn't have a turnover as that record fell to 6-1.

Week 5: vs. Seattle Seahawks
With the loss, the Panthers head into their bye week at 1-4. Also, the team dropped to 1-13 in games where Newton has a least a turnover.

Week 7: vs. Dallas Cowboys
With the loss, the Panthers fell to 1-5 and also to 1-14 in games where Newton turns the ball over.

Week 8: at Chicago Bears
With the surprising loss, the Panthers dropped to 1-6. Also, the team moves to 1-15 in games where Newton has a turnover.

Week 9: at Washington Redskins
With the win, the Panthers improved to 2-6. The team also improves to 7-1 in games where Newton does not turn the ball over.

Week 10: vs. Denver Broncos
With the loss, the Panthers fell to 2-7. The team also drops to 1-16 in games where Newton has a turnover.

Week 11: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
With the loss, the Panthers fell to 2-8. Also, QB Cam Newton suffers being swept by all 3 division rival teams as the team dropped to 7-2 in games where he does not have a turnover.

Week 12: at Philadelphia Eagles
With the win the Panthers improved to 3-8 and also 8-2 in games where Newton does not have a turnover.

Week 13: at Kansas City Chiefs
With the loss, the Panthers dropped to 3-9 securing them their 3rd straight losing season and also the team dropped in records to 0-2 against the AFC West and then to a record of 8-3 when Newton does not turn the ball over.