2012 Carolina Panthers season

2012 Carolina Panthers season
Head Coach	Ron Rivera
General Manager	Marty Hurney
Home Field	Bank of America Stadium
Results
Record	7–9
Place	2nd NFC South
Playoff Finish	Did not qualify
Uniform
File:NFCS-Uniform-CAR.PNG
Timeline
Previous season	Next season
2011	2013

The 2012 Carolina Panthers season was 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 was hired (that hire eventually being Dave Gettleman), director of football operations Brandon Beane served as interim GM. In a statistical rarity, the team lost the first 13 of their coin tosses, an event with a 1 in 8,192 probability. 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 logo change since the Panthers entered the NFL in 1995. The new logo would subsequently be added to the team's uniforms, around the stadium and on merchandise.

2012 draft class

Main article: 2012 NFL Draft

The Panthers did not have a 3rd round selection.

Round	Selection	Player	Position	College
1	9	Luke Kuechly	LB	Boston College
2	42	Amini Silatolu	G	Midwestern State
4	103	Frank Alexander	DE	Oklahoma
	104	Joe Adams	WR	Arkansas
5	143	Josh Norman	CB	Coastal Carolina
6	207	Brad Nortman	P	Wisconsin
7	216	D.J. Campbell	S	California

File:Carolina Panthers.JPG

The Carolina Panthers on offense against the Denver Broncos in week 10 of the season

NOTES

^{^[a]} The team traded its third-round selection to the Chicago Bears in exchange for TE Greg Olsen.

^{^[b]} 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.

^{^[c]} 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.

^{^[d]} 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).

^{^{e }} The Panthers received one compensatory pick for the 207 pick overall.

Season Summary

Looking to improve off of a 6–10 season from rookie coach Ron Rivera and quarterback Cam Newton, the Panthers got off to a tough start. The Panthers began the season with a dismal 2–8 record through their first 10 games. The Panthers played competitively throughout most games the entire season with an exception of a 36–7 loss to the defending Super Bowl Champion New York Giants where the Panthers fell to a 20–0 deficit early in the game and could not recover. Many would turn to a victory on November 26 in a prime time match up against the struggling Philadelphia Eagles as the turning point in the season for the Panthers. With that win on Monday Night Football, the Panthers would go on to win 5 of their remaining 6 games, rattling off 4 victories in a row to finish the season, with one victory coming against the NFC's #1 seed Atlanta Falcons, the first win in the series for the Panthers since the 2009 season.

Staff

2012 Carolina Panthers staff
	Front office Owner/Founder – Jerry Richardson President – Danny Morrison General Manager – Vacant Director of Pro Scouting – Mark Koncz Director of College Scouting – Don Gregory Director of Team Administration – Rob Rogers Head coaches Head Coach – Ron Rivera Offensive coaches Offensive Coordinator – Rob Chudzinski Quarterbacks – Mike Shula Running Backs – John Settle Wide Receivers – Fred Graves Tight Ends – Pete Hoener Offensive Line – John Matsko Assistant Offensive Line – Ray Brown Offensive Quality Control – Scott Turner Offensive Consultant – Ricky Proehl			Defensive coaches Defensive Coordinator – Sean McDermott Defensive Line – Eric Washington Linebackers – Warren Belin Defensive Backs (Secondary)/Passing Defense Coordinator – Steven Wilks Defensive Assistant – Bobby Babich Defensive Quality Control/Assistant Defensive Line – Sam Mills III Special teams coaches Special Teams Coordinator – Brian Murphy Assistant Special Teams – Richard Rodgers Strength and conditioning Strength and Conditioning – Joe Kenn Assistant Strength and Conditioning – Adam Feit

Final roster

2012 Carolina Panthers roster
	Quarterbacks  3 Derek Anderson  7 Jimmy Clausen  1 Cam Newton Running backs 47 Richie Brockel FB 36 Armond Smith 28 Jonathan Stewart 35 Mike Tolbert FB 34 DeAngelo Williams Wide receivers 15 Joe Adams 14 Armanti Edwards 12 David Gettis 11 Brandon LaFell 83 Louis Murphy 89 Steve Smith Tight ends 82 Gary Barnidge 84 Ben Hartsock 88 Greg Olsen		Offensive linemen 71 Thomas Austin G/C 77 Byron Bell T 62 Jeff Byers C 73 Bruce Campbell T 69 Jordan Gross T 63 Geoff Hangartner G 75 Hayworth Hicks G 65 Garry Williams T Defensive linemen 97 Mario Addison DE 90 Frank Alexander DE 78 Nate Chandler DT 92 Dwan Edwards DT 94 Sione Fua DT 76 Greg Hardy DE 95 Charles Johnson DE 99 Frank Kearse DT 68 Andre Neblett DT		Linebackers 50 James Anderson OLB 58 Thomas Davis OLB 55 Doug Hogue OLB 59 Luke Kuechly MLB 53 Jason Phillips MLB 57 Jordan Senn OLB 54 Jason Williams OLB Defensive backs 26 D. J. Campbell SS 31 James Dockery CB 30 Charles Godfrey SS 42 Colin Jones SS 41 Captain Munnerlyn CB 24 Josh Norman CB 40 Anderson Russell FS 22 Josh Thomas CB Special teams  9 Graham Gano K 44 J. J. Jansen LS  8 Brad Nortman P		Reserve lists 93 Antwan Applewhite DE (IR) 52 Jon Beason MLB (IR) 96 Ron Edwards DT (IR) 20 Chris Gamble CB (IR) 67 Ryan Kalil C (IR) 98 Thomas Keiser DE (IR) 23 Sherrod Martin FS (IR) 43 Haruki Nakamura FS (IR) 40 Nate Ness CB (IR) 56 Kenny Onatolu MLB (IR) 81 Kealoha Pilares WR (IR) 74 Mike Pollak G (IR) 33 Tauren Poole RB (IR) 61 Amini Silatolu G (IR) 64 Zack Williams G (IR) Practice squad 60 Dominic Alford G 18 Lamont Bryant WR 38 Kendric Burney CB 66 Ray Dominguez G 10 Jared Green WR 37 Nick Hixson CB/FS 25 Kamaal McIlwain CB 80 Nelson Rosario TE Rookies in italics 52 Active, 15 Inactive, 8 Practice squad

Schedule

Preseason

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Game site	NFL.com recap
1	August 11	Houston Texans	L 13–26	0–1	Bank of America Stadium	Recap
2	August 17	Miami Dolphins	W 23–17	1–1	Bank of America Stadium	Recap
3	August 26	at New York Jets	W 17–12	2–1	MetLife Stadium	Recap
4	August 30	at Pittsburgh Steelers	L 16–17	2–2	Heinz Field	Recap

Regular season

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Game site	NFL.com recap
1	September 9	at Tampa Bay Buccaneers	L 10–16	0–1	Raymond James Stadium	Recap
2	September 16	New Orleans Saints	W 35–27	1–1	Bank of America Stadium	Recap
3	September 20	New York Giants	L 7–36	1–2	Bank of America Stadium	Recap
4	September 30	at Atlanta Falcons	L 28–30	1–3	Georgia Dome	Recap
5	October 7	Seattle Seahawks	L 12–16	1–4	Bank of America Stadium	Recap
6	Bye
7	October 21	Dallas Cowboys	L 14–19	1–5	Bank of America Stadium	Recap
8	October 28	at Chicago Bears	L 22–23	1–6	Soldier Field	Recap
9	November 4	at Washington Redskins	W 21–13	2–6	FedExField	Recap
10	November 11	Denver Broncos	L 14–36	2–7	Bank of America Stadium	Recap
11	November 18	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	L 21–27 (OT)	2–8	Bank of America Stadium	Recap
12	November 26	at Philadelphia Eagles	W 30–22	3–8	Lincoln Financial Field	Recap
13	December 2	at Kansas City Chiefs	L 21–27	3–9	Arrowhead Stadium	Recap
14	December 9	Atlanta Falcons	W 30–20	4–9	Bank of America Stadium	Recap
15	December 16	at San Diego Chargers	W 31–7	5–9	Qualcomm Stadium	Recap
16	December 23	Oakland Raiders	W 17–6	6–9	Bank of America Stadium	Recap
17	December 30	at New Orleans Saints	W 44–38	7–9	Mercedes-Benz Superdome	Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week One: Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Panthers 0 0 7 3 10 Buccaneers 10 3 0 3 16 at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida Date: September 9 Game time: 4:25 p.m. EDT Game weather: 83 °F (28 °C), cloudy Game attendance: 51,533 Referee: Jerry Hughes TV announcers (Fox): Ron Pitts, Mike Martz and Kristina Pink Game information First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers CAR – Cam Newton 23/33 303 YDS, 1 TD, 2 INT TB – Josh Freeman 16/24 138 YDS, 1 TD Top rushers CAR – Cam Newton 5 CAR, 4 YDS DeAngelo Williams 6 CAR, −1 YDS TB – Doug Martin 24 CAR, 95 YDS Josh Freeman 7 RUSH, 13 YDS Top receivers CAR – Steve Smith 7 REC, 106 YDS Brandon LaFell 3 REC, 65 YDS, 1 TD Louis Murphy 3 REC, 63 YDS TB – Vincent Jackson 4 REC, 47 YDS Doug Martin 4 REC, 23 YDS Mike Williams 2 REC, 12 YDS, 1 TD Top tacklers CAR – TB –

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

Week Two: New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Saints 10 3 0 14 27 Panthers 7 14 7 7 35 at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina Date: September 16 Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT Game weather: 73 °F (23 °C), (Cloudy) Game attendance: 72,879 Referee: Gerald Wright TV announcers (Fox): Ron Pitts, Mike Martz and Kristina Pink Game information First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers NO – CAR – Top rushers NO – CAR – Top receivers NO – CAR – Top tacklers NO – CAR –

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

Week Three: New York Giants at Carolina Panthers – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Giants 10 10 6 10 36 Panthers 0 0 7 0 7 at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina Date: September 20 Game time: 8:20 p.m. EDT Game weather: 66 °F (19 °C), (Clear) Game attendance: 73,951 Referee: Robert Frazer TV announcers (NFLN): Brad Nessler, Mike Mayock and Alex Flanagan Game information First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers NYG – CAR – Top rushers NYG – CAR – Top receivers NYG – CAR – Top tacklers NYG – CAR –

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

Week Four: Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Panthers 7 7 7 7 28 Falcons 7 10 7 6 30 at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia Date: September 30 Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium) Game attendance: 69,594 Referee: Walt Coleman TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, John Lynch and Jennifer Hale Game information First quarter CAR- Greg Olsen, 17-yard pass from Cam Newton, Justin Medlock XP good 11:54 (CAR 7–0) ATL- Roddy White, 49-yard pass from Matt Ryan, Matt Bryant XP good 0:33 (TIE 7–7) Second quarter ATL- Matt Bryant, 41-yard field goal 13:16 (ATL 10–7) CAR- DeAngelo Williams, 13-yard run 8:50 (CAR 14–10) ATL- Roddy White, 14-yard pass from Matt Ryan, Matt Bryant XP good 1:55 (ATL 17–14) Third quarter ATL- Michael Turner, 60-yard pass from Matt Ryan, Matt Bryant XP good 10:29 (ATL 24–14) CAR- Cam Newton, 4-yard run, Justin Medlock XP good 3:23 (ATL 24–21) Fourth quarter CAR- Kealoha Pilares, 36-yard pass from Cam Newton, Justin Medlock XP good, 8:03 (CAR 28–24) ATL- Matt Bryant, 33-yard field goal, 5:00 (CAR 28–27) ATL- Matt Bryant, 40-yard field goal, 0:05 (ATL 30–28) Top passers CAR – ATL – Top rushers CAR – ATL – Top receivers CAR – ATL – Top tacklers CAR – ATL –

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

Week Five: Seattle Seahawks at Carolina Panthers – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Seahawks 3 3 7 3 16 Panthers 0 3 7 2 12 at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina Date: October 7 Game time: 4:05 p.m. EDT Game weather: 55 °F (13 °C), (Cloudy) Game attendance: 72,676 Referee: Terry McAulay TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Tim Ryan and Kristina Pink Game information First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers SEA – CAR – Top rushers SEA – CAR – Top receivers SEA – CAR – Top tacklers SEA – CAR –

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

Week Seven: Dallas Cowboys at Carolina Panthers – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Cowboys 0 3 10 6 19 Panthers 0 7 0 7 14 at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina Date: October 21 Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT Game weather: 68 °F (20 °C), (Sunny) Game attendance: 73,981 Referee: Ron Winter TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and Tony Siragusa Game information First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers DAL – CAR – Top rushers DAL – CAR – Top receivers DAL – CAR – Top tacklers DAL – CAR –

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

Week Eight: Carolina Panthers at Chicago Bears – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Panthers 3 10 6 3 22 Bears 7 0 0 16 23 at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois Date: October 28 Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT/12:00 p.m. CDT Game weather: 49 °F (9 °C), cloudy – wind gusts to 25mph Game attendance: 62,254 Referee: Ed Hochuli TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and Tony Siragusa Game information First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers CAR – CHI – Top rushers CAR – CHI – Top receivers CAR – CHI – Top tacklers CAR – CHI –

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

Week Nine: Carolina Panthers at Washington Redskins – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Panthers 7 7 0 7 21 Redskins 3 0 3 7 13 at FedExField, Landover, Maryland Date: November 4 Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST Game weather: 50 °F (10 °C), sunny Game attendance: 79,767 Referee: Carl Cheffers TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and Tony Siragusa Game information First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers CAR – WAS – Top rushers CAR – WAS – Top receivers CAR – WAS – Top tacklers CAR – WAS –

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

Week Ten: Denver Broncos at Carolina Panthers – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Broncos 7 10 7 12 36 Panthers 7 0 0 7 14 at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina Date: November 11 Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST Game weather: 71 °F (22 °C), (Sunny) Game attendance: 73,939 Referee: Alberto Riveron TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz and Phil Simms Game information First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers DEN – CAR – Top rushers DEN – CAR – Top receivers DEN – CAR – Top tacklers DEN – CAR –

With the loss, the Panthers fell to 2–7. The team also drops to 1–16 in games where Newton has a turnover.

Three years later, these teams met in Super Bowl 50.

Week 11: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week Eleven: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Buccaneers 10 0 0 11 27 Panthers 7 7 0 7 21 at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina Date: November 18 Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST Game weather: 55 °F (13 °C), (Cloudy) Game attendance: 72,603 Referee: Bill Leavy TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Tim Ryan and Jaime Maggio Game information First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers TB – CAR – Top rushers TB – CAR – Top receivers TB – CAR – Top tacklers TB – CAR –

With the loss, the Panthers fell to 2–8. Also, QB Cam Newton suffered 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

Week Twelve: Carolina Panthers at Philadelphia Eagles – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Panthers 14 0 7 9 30 Eagles 3 12 7 0 22 at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Date: November 26 Game time: 8:30 p.m. EST Game weather: 36 °F (2 °C), clear Game attendance: 69,144 Referee: Pete Morelli TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden and Lisa Salters Game information First quarter PHI- Alex Henery, 36-yard field goal, 11:15 (PHI 3–0) CAR- Gary Barnidge, 24-yard pass from Cam Newton, Graham Gano XP good, 6:17 (CAR 7–3) CAR- Brandon LaFell, 43-yard pass from Cam Newton, Graham Gano XP good, 3:42 (CAR 14–3) Second quarter PHI- Alex Henery, 41-yard field goal, 14:19 (CAR 14–6) PHI- Bryce Brown, 65-yard run, two-point conversion attempt failed, 11:07 (CAR 14–12) PHI- Alex Henery, 45-yard field goal, 3:20 (PHI 15–14) Third quarter CAR- Cam Newton, 1-yard run, Graham Gano XP good, 9:13 (CAR 21–15) PHI- Bryce Brown, 5-yard run, Alex Henery XP good, 3:30 (PHI 22–21) Fourth quarter CAR- Graham Gano, 23-yard field goal, 12:40 (CAR 24–22) CAR- Cam Newton, 2-yard run, PAT failed, 4:40 (CAR 30–22) Top passers CAR – Cam Newton- 18/28, 306 yards, 2 TD PHI – Nick Foles- 16/21, 119 yards Top rushers CAR – Cam Newton- 14 rushes, 52 yards, 2 TD PHI – Bryce Brown- 19 rushes, 178 yards, 2 TD Top receivers CAR – Brandon LaFell- 3 receptions, 74 yards, TD PHI – Jeremy Maclin- 5 receptions, 55 yards Top tacklers CAR – Sherrod Martin, Luke Kuechly- 8 PHI – DeMeco Ryans- 10

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

Week Thirteen: Carolina Panthers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Panthers 7 7 0 7 21 Chiefs 10 7 7 3 27 at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri Date: December 2 Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST Game weather: 61 °F (16 °C), sunny Game attendance: 62,860 Referee: John Parry TV announcers (Fox): Ron Pitts, Mike Martz and Kristina Pink Game information First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers CAR – KC – Top rushers CAR – KC – Top receivers CAR – KC – Top tacklers CAR – KC –

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.

Week 14: vs. Atlanta Falcons

Week Fourteen: Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Falcons 0 0 7 13 20 Panthers 7 9 7 7 30 at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina Date: December 9 Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST Game weather: 63 °F (17 °C), (Cloudy) Game attendance: 73,292 Referee: Ed Hochuli TV announcers (Fox): Gus Johnson, Charles Davis and Kristina Pink Game information First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers ATL – CAR – Top rushers ATL – CAR – Top receivers ATL – CAR – Top tacklers ATL – CAR –

With the surprising win, the Panthers improved to 4–9 and snapped their 5-game losing streak to the Falcons. Also, the team improved to 9–3 in games where Newton does not have a turnover.

Week 15: at San Diego Chargers

Week Fifteen: Carolina Panthers at San Diego Chargers – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Panthers 21 3 7 0 31 Chargers 0 0 0 7 7 at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California Date: December 16 Game time: 4:05 p.m. EST/1:05 p.m. PST Game weather: 59 °F (15 °C), cloudy Game attendance: 53,832 Referee: Terry McAulay TV announcers (Fox): Sam Rosen, Heath Evans and Jill Savage Game information First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers CAR – SD – Top rushers CAR – SD – Top receivers CAR – SD – Top tacklers CAR – SD –

With the win, the Panthers improved to 5–9 and 10–3 when Newton does not have a turnover. It also leaves the Panthers 1–2 against the AFC West.

Week 16: vs. Oakland Raiders

Week Sixteen: Oakland Raiders at Carolina Panthers – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Raiders 0 3 0 3 6 Panthers 7 7 0 3 17 at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina Date: December 23 Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST Game weather: 54 °F (12 °C), (Cloudy) Game attendance: 73,026 Referee: Jerome Boger TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes and Steve Beuerlein Game information First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers OAK – CAR – Top rushers OAK – CAR – Top receivers OAK – CAR – Top tacklers OAK – CAR –

With the win, the Panthers improved to 6–9 and 2–16 when Newton turns the ball over at least once. Also, the team finished the season 2–2 against the AFC West.

Week 17: at New Orleans Saints

Week Seventeen: Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Panthers 3 10 14 17 44 Saints 0 17 7 14 38 at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana Date: December 30 Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium) Game attendance: 73,124 Referee: Alberto Riveron TV announcers (Fox): Ron Pitts, Mike Martz and Krista Voda Game information First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers CAR – NO – Top rushers CAR – NO – Top receivers CAR – NO – Top tacklers CAR – NO –

With the win the Panthers finished 7–9 and good enough for 2nd place in the NFC South, sweeping the Saints for the first time since 2008. Also, the team improved to 3–16 in games when Newton has a turnover. Also, Newton was one touchdown shy of being a 4th QB to have at least 20 passing touchdowns in his first 2 seasons as his total record of passing touchdowns stood at 19 while his rushing touchdowns stood at 8 leaving him with a failed improvement finishing with 27 total touchdowns.

Standings

NFC South
	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
Atlanta Falcons(1)	13	3	0	.813	3–3	9–3	419	299	L1
Carolina Panthers	7	9	0	.436	3–3	5–7	357	363	W4
New Orleans Saints	7	9	0	.438	3–3	5–7	461	454	L1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	7	9	0	.438	3–3	4–8	389	394	W1

External links

• Official website