American Football Database
Advertisement
2017 Carolina Panthers season
Head Coach Ron Rivera
General Manager Marty Hurney (interim)
Home Field Bank of America Stadium
Results
Record 11–5
Place 2nd NFC South
Playoff Finish Lost Wild Card Playoffs (at Saints) 26–31
Pro Bowlers K Graham Gano
MLB Luke Kuechly
G Trai Turner
OLB Thomas Davis Sr.
Timeline
Previous season Next season
2016 2018

The 2017 Carolina Panthers season was the franchise's 23rd season in the National Football League and the seventh under head coach Ron Rivera. During the offseason, the team's notable free agent signings included Matt Kalil, Captain Munnerlyn and veteran Julius Peppers. Peppers previously spent his first eight seasons with the Panthers, appearing in Super Bowl XXXVIII with them. On July 17, 2017, the team announced Dave Gettleman had been relieved as general manager.[1] His predecessor, Marty Hurney, was hired as interim GM a day later. For the first time since 2011, the Panthers did not play the Seattle Seahawks during the regular season. The Panthers rebounded after a disappointing 2016 campaign, where they finished 6–10 and last in the NFC South. 2017 saw the Panthers qualify for the playoffs with an 11–5 record. However, they lost to the Saints 31–26 in the Wild Card round.

Offseason[]

Signings[]

Position Player Age 2016 Team Contract
OT Matt Kalil 27 Minnesota Vikings 5 years, $55.5 million
CB Captain Munnerlyn 29 Minnesota Vikings 4 years, $17 million
WR Russell Shepard 26 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3 years, $10 million
SS Mike Adams 36 Indianapolis Colts 2 years, $4.2 million
OLB Julius Peppers 37 Green Bay Packers 1 year, $3.5 million
DT Kyle Love 30 Carolina Panthers 2 years, $2.2 million
WR Charles Johnson 28 Minnesota Vikings 1 year, $1.6 million
OG Chris Scott 29 Carolina Panthers 1 year, $980,000
CB Teddy Williams 28 Carolina Panthers 1 year, $855,000

Releases[]

Position Player Age 2017 Team
DT Paul Soliai 33 TBD
FS Michael Griffin 32 TBD
C Ryan Wendell 31 TBD
WR LaRon Byrd 27 TBD
DT Chas Alecxih 28 TBD

Draft[]

2017 Carolina Panthers Draft
Round Selection Player Position College
1 8 Christian McCaffrey WR/RB Stanford
2 40 Curtis Samuel WR/RB Ohio State
64 Taylor Moton OT Western Michigan
3 77 Daeshon Hall DE Texas A&M
5 152 Corn Elder CB Miami
6 192 Alexander Armah FB/DE West Georgia
7 233 Harrison Butker K Georgia Tech

Notes

  • The Panthers traded their third-round selection (No. 72 overall) and defensive end Kony Ealy to the New England Patriots for New England's second-round selection (No. 64 overall).[2]

Staff[]

2017 Carolina Panthers staff
Front office
  • Owner – Jerry Richardson
  • general manager – Marty Hurney (Interim)
  • Senior Executive Scout – Don Gregory
  • Director of Player Personnel – Mark Koncz
  • Director of Team Administration – Rob Rogers
  • Director of Pro Scouting – Matt Allen
  • Director of College Scouting – Jeff Morrow
  • National Scout – Mike Szabo

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

  • Special Teams Coordinator – Thomas McGaughey
  • Assistant Special Teams – Chase Blackburn

Strength and conditioning

Final roster[]

2017 Carolina Panthers roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists


Practice squad


Rookies in italics
53 Active, 18 Inactive, 11 Practice squad

Preseason[]

Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.com
recap
1 Template:Dow tooltip Houston Texans W 27–17 1–0 Bank of America Stadium Recap
2 Template:Dow tooltip at Tennessee Titans L 27–34 1–1 Nissan Stadium Recap
3 Template:Dow tooltip at Jacksonville Jaguars W 24–23 2–1 EverBank Field Recap
4 Template:Dow tooltip Pittsburgh Steelers L 14–17 2–2 Bank of America Stadium Recap

Regular season[]

Schedule[]

Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.com
recap
1 September 10 at San Francisco 49ers W 23–3 1–0 Levi's Stadium Recap
2 September 17 Buffalo Bills W 9–3 2–0 Bank of America Stadium Recap
3 September 24 New Orleans Saints L 13–34 2–1 Bank of America Stadium Recap
4 October 1 at New England Patriots W 33–30 3–1 Gillette Stadium Recap
5 October 8 at Detroit Lions W 27–24 4–1 Ford Field Recap
6 Template:Dow tooltip Philadelphia Eagles L 23–28 4–2 Bank of America Stadium Recap
7 October 22 at Chicago Bears L 3–17 4–3 Soldier Field Recap
8 October 29 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 17–3 5–3 Raymond James Stadium Recap
9 November 5 Atlanta Falcons W 20–17 6–3 Bank of America Stadium Recap
10 Template:Dow tooltip Miami Dolphins W 45–21 7–3 Bank of America Stadium Recap
11 Bye
12 November 26 at New York Jets W 35–27 8–3 MetLife Stadium Recap
13 December 3 at New Orleans Saints L 21–31 8–4 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap
14 December 10 Minnesota Vikings W 31–24 9–4 Bank of America Stadium Recap
15 December 17 Green Bay Packers W 31–24 10–4 Bank of America Stadium Recap
16 December 24 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 22–19 11–4 Bank of America Stadium Recap
17 December 31 at Atlanta Falcons L 10–22 11–5 Mercedes-Benz Stadium Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries[]

Week 1: at San Francisco 49ers[]

Week One: Carolina Panthers at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Panthers 7 6 10 0

23

49ers 0 0 3 0

3

at Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California

Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • CAR – Graham Gano 39-yard field goal, 3:28. Panthers 10–0. Drive: 8 plays, 27 yards, 3:04.
  • CAR – Graham Gano 36-yard field goal, 0:05. Panthers 13–0. Drive: 7 plays, 37 yards, 0:42.

Third quarter

  • CAR – Jonathan Stewart 9-yard pass from Cam Newton (Graham Gano kick), 11:32. Panthers 20–0. Drive: 5 plays, 28 yards, 3:01.
  • CAR – Graham Gano 20-yard field goal, 3:14. Panthers 23–0. Drive: 11 plays, 40 yards, 6:53.
  • SF – Robbie Gould 44-yard field goal, 0:13. Panthers 23–3. Drive: 10 plays, 49 yards, 3:03.

Fourth quarter

  • No scoring plays.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

  • CAR – Russell Shepard – 2 receptions, 53 yards, TD
  • SF – Pierre Garcon – 6 receptions, 81 yards

The Panthers started off their season by making their first return to Levi's Stadium since losing to the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50. Late in the first quarter Cam Newton threw a 40-yard touchdown to Russell Sheppard followed by a Graham Gano field goal. The Panthers scored six more points in the second quarter with two field goals. In the third Jonathan Stewart scored a touchdown, followed by another Gano field goal. With 3:14 left to go in the third quarter, Gano made his third field goal of the day making the score 23–0. Robbie Gould's kick with thirteen seconds to go gave the 49ers their first points of the game. Neither the Panthers or 49ers scored in the fourth quarter, resulting in Carolina defeating San Francisco 23–3. They improved to 1–0.

Week 2: vs. Buffalo Bills[]

Week Two: Buffalo Bills at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Bills 0 0 0 3

3

Panthers 3 3 0 3

9

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

First quarter

  • CAR – Graham Gano 34-yard field goal, 8:54. Panthers 3–0. Drive: 13 plays, 59 yards, 6:11.

Second quarter

  • CAR – Graham Gano 28-yard field goal, 2:06. Panthers 6–0. Drive: 10 plays, 46 yards, 6:51.

Third quarter

  • No scoring plays.

Fourth quarter

  • BUF – Steven Hauschka 45-yard field goal, 11:15. Panthers 6–3. Drive: 9 plays, 30 yards, 4:18.
  • CAR – Graham Gano 20-yard field goal, 2:38. Panthers 9–3. Drive: 15 plays, 73 yards, 8:34.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

In the Panthers home opener, Carolina's defense allowed only three points for the second straight week, and Graham Gano converted three field goals as the Panthers held on to defeat the Buffalo Bills 9–3 to remain undefeated. With seconds remaining in the game, Tyrod Taylor's 4th-and-11 pass sailed off diving rookie Zay Jones' fingertips, costing them the game winning touchdown. The Panthers improved to 2–0.

Week 3: vs. New Orleans Saints[]

Week Three: New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Saints 7 10 7 10

34

Panthers 3 3 7 0

13

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

First quarter

  • CAR – Graham Gano 32-yard field goal, 6:23. Panthers 3–0. Drive: 15 plays, 61 yards, 8:41.
  • NO – Michael Thomas 5-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 0:29. Saints 7–3. Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 5:57.

Second quarter

  • CAR – Graham Gano 48-yard field goal, 10:52. Saints 7–6. Drive: 8 plays, 45 yards, 4:36.
  • NO – Brandon Coleman 11-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 5:48. Saints 14–6. Drive: 4 plays, 24 yards, 2:08.
  • NO – Wil Lutz 33-yard field goal, 0:05. Saints 17–6. Drive: 10 plays, 54 yards, 4:43.

Third quarter

  • NO – Ted Ginn Jr. 40-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 11:18. Saints 24–6. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:51.
  • CAR – Cam Newton 3-yard run (Graham Gano kick), 1:26. Saints 24–13. Drive: 7 plays, 83 yards, 4:11.

Fourth quarter

  • NO – Wil Lutz 50-yard field goal, 12:03. Saints 27–13. Drive: 7 plays, 44 yards, 4:21.
  • NO – Alvin Kamara 25-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 4:50. Saints 34–13. Drive: 4 plays, 35 yards, 2:16.

Top passers

Top rushers

  • NO – Mark Ingram – 14 rushes, 56 yards
  • CAR – Jonathan Stewart – 12 rushes, 57 yards

Top receivers

  • NO – Michael Thomas – 7 receptions, 87 yards, TD
  • CAR – Christian McCaffrey – 9 receptions, 101 yards

The Saints were too much for the Panthers as they handed them their first loss of the season, 34–13. The Panthers fell to 2–1.

Week 4: at New England Patriots[]

Week Four: Carolina Panthers at New England Patriots – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Panthers 3 14 6 10

33

Patriots 3 13 0 14

30

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Game information

First quarter

  • NE – Stephen Gostkowski 41-yard field goal, 11:47. Patriots 3–0. Drive: 8 plays, 52 yards, 3:13.
  • CAR – Graham Gano 32-yard field goal, 7:41. Tied 3–3. Drive: 8 plays, 61 yards, 4:06.

Second quarter

  • NE – Chris Hogan 2-yard pass from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 12:39. Patriots 10–3. Drive: 11 plays, 74 yards, 5:32.
  • CAR – Fozzy Whittaker 28-yard pass from Cam Newton (Graham Gano kick), 9:41. Tied 10–10. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:58.
  • NE – Stephen Gostkowski 35-yard field goal, 4:30. Patriots 13–10. Drive: 12 plays, 57 yards, 5:11.
  • CAR – Devin Funchess 10-yard pass from Cam Newton (Graham Gano kick), 0:26. Panthers 17–13. Drive: 9 plays, 84 yards, 4:04.
  • NE – Stephen Gostkowski 58-yard field goal, 0:00. Panthers 17–16. Drive: 4 plays, 35 yards, 0:26.

Third quarter

  • CAR – Devin Funchess 16-yard pass from Cam Newton (kick failed, wide left), 2:47. Panthers 23–16. Drive: 11 plays, 68 yards, 6:30.

Fourth quarter

  • CAR – Cam Newton 7-yard run (Graham Gano kick), 12:58. Panthers 30–16. Drive: 6 plays, 64 yards, 2:50.
  • NE – Dion Lewis 8-yard run (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 8:46. Panthers 30–23. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:12.
  • NE – Danny Amendola 1-yard pass from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 3:09. Tied 30–30. Drive: 10 plays, 49 yards, 4:18.
  • CAR – Graham Gano 48-yard field goal, 0:00. Panthers 33–30. Drive: 10 plays, 46 yards, 3:09.

Top passers

Top rushers

  • CAR – Jonathan Stewart – 14 rushes, 68 yards
  • NE – Mike Gillislee – 12 rushes, 49 yards

Top receivers

In the first quarter, both Carolina and New England managed to only kick field goals. New England scored the first touchdown in the second quarter. Carolina answered with a touchdown by Fozzy Whitaker which tied the game again. The Patriots later scored with another Stephen Gostkowski field goal. Devin Funchess caught a ten-yard pass from Newton to give the Panthers a 17–13 lead. With four seconds remaining in the half Gostkowski kicked a 58-yard field goal, making the halftime score 17–16. Carolina had the only score in the third quarter with a Funchess touchdown but Gano missed the extra point. The Panthers started the fourth quarter with Cam Newton rushing for a touchdown, increasing the lead to 30–16. New England managed to score twice, tying the game at 30. With seconds left, Graham Gano kicked the game winning field goal. The Panthers won 33–30 (their first win in Foxborough since 1995) and improved to 3–1, which would also be their record against the Patriots since losing to them in Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2004.

Week 5: at Detroit Lions[]

Week Five: Carolina Panthers at Detroit Lions – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Panthers 3 14 10 0

27

Lions 3 7 0 14

24

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

Game information

First quarter

  • DET – Matt Prater 30-yard field goal. Lions 3–0. Drive: 8 plays, 63 yards, 3:28.
  • CAR – Graham Gano 21-yard field goal. Tied 3–3. Drive: 6 plays, 61 yards, 3:01.

Second quarter

  • DET – Zach Zenner 1-yard run. (Matt Prater kick). Lions 10–3. Drive: 9 plays, 78 yards, 5:19.
  • CAR – Christian McCaffrey 6-yard pass from Cam Newton. (Graham Gano kick). Tied 10–10. Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 2:28.
  • CAR – Devin Funchess 10-yard pass from Cam Newton. (Graham Gano kick). Panthers 17–10. Drive: 11 plays, 73 yards, 4:10.

Third quarter

  • CAR – Kelvin Benjamin 31-yard pass from Cam Newton. (Graham Gano kick). Panthers 24–10. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:17.
  • CAR – Graham Gano 44-yard field goal. Panthers 27–10. Drive: 4 plays, 3 yards, 1:09.

Fourth quarter

  • DET – Darren Fells 4-yard pass from Matthew Stafford (Matt Prater kick). Panthers 27–17. Drive: 8 plays, 69 yards, 3:10.
  • DET – Darren Fells 20-yard pass from Matthew Stafford (Matt Prater kick). Panthers 27–24. Drive: 6 plays, 53 yards, 0:51.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

Carolina and Detroit were tied with 3 points apiece at the end of the first quarter. Early in the second, the Lions scored a touchdown, making the score 3–10. The Panthers answered back with a Christian McCaffery touchdown, tying the game again. Devin Funchess scored a touchdown towards the end of the quarter, giving the Panthers a 17–10 lead. The Panthers started the second half with Cam Newton throwing a 31-yard touchdown pass to Kelvin Benjamin. Gano later made a 44-yard field goal to extend the lead to 27–10 going into the fourth quarter. Matthew Stafford threw a touchdown a pass to Fells, cutting the Panthers lead to 27–17. The Lions scored again with another Fells touchdown. The Panthers held on and won 27–24, improving to 4–1.

Week 6: vs. Philadelphia Eagles[]

Week Six: Philadelphia Eagles at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Eagles 3 7 11 7

28

Panthers 3 7 6 7

23

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

First quarter

  • PHI – Jake Elliott 50-yard field goal, 6:57. Eagles 3–0. Drive: 11 plays, 63 yards, 5:18.
  • CAR – Graham Gano 39-yard field goal, 2:17. Tie 3–3. Drive: 9 plays, 33 yards, 4:40.

Second quarter

  • CAR – Cam Newton 16-yard rush (Graham Gano kick), 10:34. Panthers 10–3. Drive: 4 plays, 43 yards, 1:59.
  • PHI – Zach Ertz 1-yard pass from Carson Wentz (Jake Elliott kick), 2:32. Tie 10–10. Drive: 7 plays, 12 yards, 3:56.

Third quarter

  • PHI – Zach Ertz 17-yard pass from Carson Wentz (LeGarrette Blount rush), 13:59. Eagles 18–10. Drive: 2 plays, 17 yards, 0:08.
  • CAR – Graham Gano 20-yard field goal, 11:19. Eagles 18–13. Drive: 8 plays, 23 yards, 2:40.
  • PHI – Jake Elliott 48-yard field goal, 8:02. Eagles 21–13. Drive: 7 plays, 44 yards, 3:17.
  • CAR – Graham Gano 46-yard field goal, 3:23. Eagles 21–16. Drive: 7 plays, 37 yards, 2:38.

Fourth quarter

  • PHI – Nelson Agholor 24-yard pass from Carson Wentz (Jake Elliott kick), 14:55. Eagles 28–16. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:28.
  • CAR – Christian McCaffrey 1-yard pass from Cam Newton (Graham Gano kick), 8:04. Eagles 28–23. Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 6:51.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

On Thursday Night Football, both teams wore their Color Rush uniforms. The Eagles beat the Panthers 28–23, and Carolina fell to 4–2.

Week 7: at Chicago Bears[]

Week Seven: Carolina Panthers at Chicago Bears – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Panthers 0 3 0 0

3

Bears 7 10 0 0

17

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

  • Date: October 22
  • Game time: 1:00 pm. EDT/12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: 70 °F (21 °C), cloudy with periods of rain, thunder possible
  • Game attendance: 61,256
  • Referee: Walt Anderson
  • TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts and Evan Washburn
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

First quarter

  • CHI – Eddie Jackson 75-yard fumble return (Connor Barth kick), 8:59. Bears 7–0.

Second quarter

  • CHI – Eddie Jackson 76-yard interception return (Connor Barth kick), 12:28. Bears 14–0.
  • CAR – Graham Gano 36-yard field goal, 3:18. Bears 14–3. Drive: 16 plays, 56 yards, 9:10.
  • CHI – Connor Barth 19-yard field goal, 1:10. Bears 17–3. Drive: 5 plays, 74 yards, 2:08.

Third quarter

  • No scoring plays.

Fourth quarter

  • No scoring plays.

Top passers

Top rushers

  • CAR – Cam Newton – 9 rushes, 50 yards
  • CHI – Jordan Howard – 21 rushes, 65 yards

Top receivers

The Panthers lost for a second straight week by managing to score only one field goal in Chicago. The Bears beat Carolina 17–3, and they fell to 4–3.

Week 8: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers[]

Week Eight: Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Panthers 7 3 0 7

17

Buccaneers 0 0 3 0

3

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • CAR – Graham Gano 28-yard field goal, 0:17. Panthers 10–0. Drive: 9 plays, 41 yards, 2:11.

Third quarter

  • TB – Patrick Murray 41-yard field goal, 4:49. Panthers 10–3. Drive: 8 plays, 31 yards, 3:27.

Fourth quarter

  • CAR – Kelvin Benjamin 25-yard pass from Cam Newton (Graham Gano kick), 8:48. Panthers 17–3. Drive: 5 plays, 48 yards, 2:44.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

The Panthers bounced back after a two-week losing streak, and beat their division rivals 17–3. Carolina improved to 5–3.

Week 9: vs. Atlanta Falcons[]

Week Nine: Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Falcons 10 0 0 7

17

Panthers 0 14 6 0

20

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

This was the Panthers' first game without wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin, who was traded to Buffalo days earlier.[3] In this game, neither team scored in the same quarter. The Falcons were the only team to score in the first quarter, and led 10–0 going into the second. It was vice versa in the second, as Carolina scored two touchdowns for a four-point lead at the half. Atlanta was scoreless again in the third but Carolina scored on two Graham Gano field goals, making it 20-10. Atlanta had the only score of the fourth quarter, but Carolina survived and won 20–17. Their record improved to 6–3.

Week 10: vs. Miami Dolphins[]

Week Ten: Miami Dolphins at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Dolphins 0 7 7 7

21

Panthers 3 14 21 7

45

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

First quarter

  • CAR – Graham Gano 40-yard field goal, 1:50. Panthers 3–0. Drive: 11 plays, 42 yards, 5:33.

Second quarter

  • CAR – Christian McCaffrey 4-yard run (Graham Gano kick), 6:59. Panthers 10–0. Drive: 12 plays, 85 yards, 6:17.
  • MIA – Julius Thomas 2-yard pass from Jay Cutler (Cody Parkey kick), 2:12. Panthers 10–7. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 4:47.
  • CAR – Ed Dickson 7-yard pass from Cam Newton (Graham Gano kick), 0:19. Panthers 17–7. Drive: 4 plays, 20 yards, 0:22.

Third quarter

  • CAR – Devin Funchess 28-yard pass from Cam Newton (Graham Gano kick), 11:50. Panthers 24–7. Drive: 8 plays, 78 yards, 3:10.
  • CAR – Cameron Artis-Payne 12-yard run (Graham Gano kick), 7:15. Panthers 31–7. Drive: 4 plays, 48 yards, 2:19.
  • MIA – Kenyan Drake 66-yard run (Cody Parkey kick), 5:47. Panthers 31–14. Drive: 3 plays, 75 yards, 1:28.
  • CAR – Christian McCaffrey 2-yard pass from Cam Newton (Graham Gano kick), 3:07. Panthers 38–14. Drive: 4 plays, 87 yards, 2:40.

Fourth quarter

  • CAR – Devin Funchess 32-yard pass from Cam Newton (Graham Gano kick), 8:20. Panthers 45–14. Drive: 11 plays, 83 yards, 6:43.
  • MIA – Jarvis Landry 9-yard pass from Jay Cutler (Cody Parkey kick), 4:05. Panthers 45–21. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 4:15.

Top passers

Top rushers

  • MIA – Kenyan Drake – 7 rushes, 82 yards, TD
  • CAR – Jonathan Stewart – 17 rushes, 110 yards

Top receivers

  • MIA – DeVante Parker – 6 receptions, 66 yards
  • CAR – Devin Funchess – 5 receptions, 92 yards, 2 TD

In this Monday Night Football game, the Panthers beat the Dolphins 45–21 and improved to 7–3.

Week 12: at New York Jets[]

Week Twelve: Carolina Panthers at New York Jets – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Panthers 3 9 6 17

35

Jets 3 7 7 10

27

at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Game information

First quarter

  • CAR – Graham Gano 40-yard field goal, 9:55. Panthers 3–0. Drive: 12 plays, 48 yards, 5:05.
  • NYJ – Chandler Catanzaro 31-yard field goal, 5:13. Tied 3–3. Drive: 10 plays, 55 yards, 4:42.

Second quarter

  • CAR – Cam Newton 1-yard run (kick failed), 10:02. Panthers 9–3. Drive: 8 plays, 86 yards, 4:14.
  • CAR – Graham Gano 33-yard field goal, 3:59. Panthers 12–3. Drive: 5 plays, 34 yards, 2:11.
  • NYJ – Robby Anderson 33-yard pass from Josh McCown (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 1:12. Panthers 12–10. Drive: 6 plays, 65 yards, 1:00.

Third quarter

  • NYJ – Robby Anderson 54-yard pass from Josh McCown (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 5:41. Jets 17–12. Drive: 2 plays, 68 yards, 0:37.
  • CAR – Jonathan Stewart 2-yard run (pass failed), 1:12. Panthers 18–17. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:29.

Fourth quarter

  • NYJ – Chandler Catanzaro 19-yard field goal, 14:01. Jets 20–18. Drive: 10 plays, 74 yards, 2:11.
  • CAR – Luke Kuechly 34-yard fumble return (Cam Newton run), 12:05. Panthers 26–20.
  • CAR – Kaelin Clay 60-yard punt return (pass failed), 9:54. Panthers 32–20.
  • NYJ – Jermaine Kearse 3-yard pass from Josh McCown (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 5:32. Panthers 32–27. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:22.
  • CAR – Graham Gano 45-yard field goal, 0:21. Panthers 35–27. Drive: 11 plays, 48 yards, 5:11.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

In the first quarter Carolina and New York scored only a field goal each. In the second quarter, Cam Newton scored a 1-yard touchdown but Graham Gano missed the extra point. Gano redeemed himself with another field goal, giving the Panthers a nine-point lead. Robby Anderson caught a 33-yard pass from Josh McCown, plus the extra point from Chandler Catanzaro, and Carolina led, 12–10. In the third New York scored a touchdown, and Jets led by 17–12. But Carolina answered with a Jonathan Stewart touchdown and took an 18–17 lead. Early in the fourth Catanzaro kicked a field goal, putting the Jets back on top, 20–18. Later the Panthers blitzed McCown and forced a fumble, which was recovered by Luke Kuechly who recovered it for a 34-yard touchdown. The Jets punted after their next drive fizzled and Kaelin Clay returned it 60 yards, making the score 32–20. Jermaine Kearse scored a touchdown for the Jets, and Catanzaro's extra point cut the Panthers' lead to 5. With 0:21 to go in the fourth quarter, Gano kicked a field goal and Carolina won by a final score of 35–27. The Panthers record improved to 8–3. Their win knocked the Jets and Giants out of playoff contention.

Week 13: at New Orleans Saints[]

Week Thirteen: Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Panthers 7 7 0 7

21

Saints 7 14 7 3

31

at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Game information

First quarter

  • NO – Alvin Kamara 2-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 10:15. Saints 7–0. Drive: 11 plays, 70 yards, 4:45.
  • CAR – Jonathan Stewart 2-yard run (Graham Gano kick), 5:09. Tied 7–7. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:06.

Second quarter

  • NO – Mark Ingram Jr. 3-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 11:32. Saints 14–7. Drive: 3 plays, 84 yards, 1:36.
  • NO – Michael Thomas 10-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 7:21. Saints 21–7. Drive: 6 plays, 31 yards, 3:18.
  • CAR – Christian McCaffrey 21-yard pass from Cam Newton (Graham Gano kick), 1:56. Saints 21–14. Drive: 4 plays, 45 yards, 1:54.

Third quarter

  • NO – Alvin Kamara 20-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 8:10. Saints 28–14. Drive: 8 plays, 67 yards, 5:04.

Fourth quarter

  • NO – Wil Lutz 31-yard field goal, 6:08. Saints 31–14. Drive: 6 plays, 34 yards, 2:47.
  • CAR – Devin Funchess 24-yard pass from Cam Newton (Graham Gano kick), 3:57. Saints 31–21. Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 2:11.

Top passers

Top rushers

  • CAR – Cam Newton – 6 rushes, 51 yards
  • NO – Mark Ingram Jr. – 14 rushes, 85 yards, TD

Top receivers

  • CAR – Christian McCaffrey – 5 receptions, 33 yards, TD
  • NO – Mark Ingram Jr. – 6 receptions, 37 yards

The Panthers and Saints were tied at 7–7 going into the second quarter. Mark Ingram scored a touchdown with a Wil Lutz extra point, and the Saints led by seven. The Saintsd score again to lead by 14. At the end of the second Christian McCaffery scored a touchdown, and with the extra point by Graham Gano, Carolina was down by seven at the half. Alvin Kamara scored a touchdown (Lutz kick) in the third, again increasing New Orleans' lead to 14 points. In the fourth quarter New Orleans scored 3 and Carolina scored 7. The Saints were too much for Carolina and won 31–21. Carolina fell to 8–4.

Week 14: vs. Minnesota Vikings[]

Week Fourteen: Minnesota Vikings at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Vikings 7 6 0 11

24

Panthers 7 7 10 7

31

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • CAR – Jonathan Stewart 1-yard run (Graham Gano kick), 14:22. Panthers 14–7. Drive: 14 plays, 89 yards, 7:12.
  • MIN – Kai Forbath 30-yard field goal, 5:08. Panthers 14–10. Drive: 9 plays, 62 yards, 4:03.
  • MIN – Kai Forbath 22-yard field goal, 0:09. Panthers 14–13. Drive: 11 plays, 64 yards, 2:26.

Third quarter

  • CAR – Devin Funchess 18-yard pass from Cam Newton (Graham Gano kick), 8:51. Panthers 21–13. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 6:18.
  • CAR – Graham Gano 41-yard field goal, 6:57. Panthers 24–13. Drive: 4 plays, 8 yards, 1:37.

Fourth quarter

  • MIN – Adam Thielen 52-yard pass from Case Keenum (Blake Bell pass from Case Keenum), 5:47. Panthers 24–21 Drive: 4 plays, 73 yards, 1:28.
  • MIN – Kai Forbath 27-yard field goal, 3:11. Tied 24–24. Drive: 4 plays, −3 yards, 1:29.
  • CAR – Jonathan Stewart 1-yard run (Graham Gano kick), 1:50. Panthers 31–24. Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 1:20.

Top passers

  • MIN – Case Keenum – 27/44, 280 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
  • CAR – Cam Newton – 13/25, 137 yards, TD, INT

Top rushers

  • MIN – Jerick McKinnon – 7 rushes, 46 yards
  • CAR – Jonathan Stewart – 16 rushes, 103 yards, 3 TD

Top receivers

  • MIN – Adam Thielen – 6 receptions, 105 yards, TD
  • CAR – Devin Funchess – 3 receptions, 59 yards, TD

In a game featuring two of the NFC's best teams, Carolina was able to hold off the Vikings and win 31–24. The Panthers improved to 9–4.

Week 15: vs. Green Bay Packers[]

Week Fifteen: Green Bay Packers at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Packers 7 7 3 7

24

Panthers 7 3 14 7

31

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
  • CAR – Graham Gano 33-yard field goal, 9:06. Panthers 10–7. Drive: 12 plays, 61 yards, 5:58.
  • GB – Randall Cobb 33-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 0:39. Packers 14–10. Drive: 4 plays, 58 yards, 1:29.
Third quarter
  • CAR – Greg Olsen 30-yard pass from Cam Newton (Graham Gano kick), 11:39. Panthers 17–14. Drive: 7 plays, 73 yards, 3:26.
  • CAR – Damiere Byrd 18-yard pass from Cam Newton (Graham Gano kick), 7:28. Panthers 24–14. Drive: 7 plays, 49 yards, 3:28.
  • GB – Mason Crosby 28-yard field goal, 1:27. Panthers 24–17. Drive: 12 plays, 47 yards, 3:51.
Fourth quarter
  • CAR – Damiere Byrd 13-yard pass from Cam Newton (Graham Gano kick), 12:29. Panthers 31–17. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:59.
  • GB – Richard Rodgers 24-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 2:48. Panthers 31–24. Drive: 6 plays, 76 yards, 1:11.
Top rushers
Top receivers

The Panthers spoiled Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers' return by intercepting three passes and winning 31–24. They also improved to 10–4. A few hours after the game ended, owner Jerry Richardson announced he was putting the Panthers up for sale.

Week 16: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers[]

Week Sixteen: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Buccaneers 3 6 7 3

19

Panthers 3 9 3 7

22

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

  • Date: December 24
  • Game time: 1:00 pm. EST
  • Game weather: 55 °F (13 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 71,463
  • Referee: Jerome Boger
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Ronde Barber and Kristina Pink
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

First quarter

  • CAR – Graham Gano 25-yard field goal, 8:13. Panthers 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 26 yards, 3:55.
  • TB – Patrick Murray 31-yard field goal, 2:24. Tied 3–3. Drive: 11 plays, 63 yards, 5:49.

Second quarter

  • CAR – Graham Gano 28-yard field goal, 8:38. Panthers 6–3. Drive: 10 plays, 71 yards, 4:58.
  • TB – Patrick Murray 41-yard field goal, 2:58. Tied 6–6. Drive: 6 plays, 61 yards, 2:18.
  • CAR – Damiere Byrd 103-yard kickoff return (kick failed), 2:43. Panthers 12–6.
  • TB – Patrick Murray 21-yard field goal, 0:02. Panthers 12–9. Drive: 9 plays, 72 yards, 2:41.

Third quarter

  • TB – Bobo Wilson 18-yard pass from Jameis Winston (Patrick Murray kick), 10:27. Buccaneers 16–12. Drive: 3 plays, 49 yards, 1:01.
  • CAR – Graham Gano 30-yard field goal, 4:49. Buccaneers 16–15. Drive: 12 plays, 68 yards, 5:38.

Fourth quarter

  • TB – Patrick Murray 26-yard field goal, 14:57. Buccaneers 19–15. Drive: 10 plays, 67 yards, 4:52.
  • CAR – Cam Newton 2-yard run (Graham Gano kick), 0:35. Panthers 22–19. Drive: 10 plays, 59 yards, 2:25.

Top passers

  • TB – Jameis Winston – 21/27, 367 yards, TD
  • CAR – Cam Newton – 16/25, 160 yards, INT

Top rushers

  • TB – Peyton Barber – 13 rushes, 51 yards
  • CAR – Cam Newton – 14 rushes, 52 yards, TD

Top receivers

With the close win, the Panthers clinched a playoff spot for the fourth time in five years. They also improved to 11–4.

Week 17: at Atlanta Falcons[]

Week Seventeen: Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Panthers 0 7 0 3

10

Falcons 7 0 6 9

22

at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

  • Date: December 31
  • Game time: 4:25 pm. EST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 74,141
  • Referee: Bill Vinovich
  • TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Erin Andrews
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

First quarter

  • ATL – Devonta Freeman 19-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 10:39. Falcons 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 4:28.

Second quarter

Third quarter

  • ATL – Matt Bryant 30-yard field goal, 6:35. Falcons 10–7. Drive: 13 plays, 68 yards, 6:55.
  • ATL – Matt Bryant 42-yard field goal, 3:49. Falcons 13–7. Drive: 5 plays, 15 yards, 2:00.

Fourth quarter

  • ATL – Matt Bryant 30-yard field goal, 14:15. Falcons 16–7. Drive: 8 plays, 60 yards, 3:26.
  • CAR – Graham Gano 42-yard field goal, 10:38. Falcons 16–10. Drive: 7 plays, 51 yards, 3:37.
  • ATL – Matt Bryant 56-yard field goal, 6:43. Falcons 19–10. Drive: 8 plays, 37 yards, 3:57.
  • ATL – Matt Bryant 33-yard field goal, 2:31. Falcons 22–10. Drive: 4 plays, 8 yards, 1:41.

Top passers

  • CAR – Cam Newton – 14/34, 180 yards, TD, 3 INT
  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 28/45, 317 yards, TD

Top rushers

  • CAR – Cam Newton – 11 rushes, 59 yards
  • ATL – Tevin Coleman – 11 rushes, 23 yards
  • ATL – Devonta Freeman – 11 rushes, 23 yards

Top receivers

  • CAR – Devin Funchess – 2 receptions, 48 yards, TD
  • ATL – Devonta Freeman – 9 receptions, 85 yards, TD

The Panthers went to Atlanta with a chance to win the NFC South. If Tampa Bay beat New Orleans and Carolina won, the Panthers would win the title. Despite Tampa's victory over the Saints, the Panthers lost 10–22, making the Saints NFC South champions. The Panthers ended the regular season with an 11–5 record.

Standings[]

Division[]

Template:2017 NFC South standings

Conference[]

Template:2017 NFC standings

Postseason[]

Playoff round Date Opponent (seed) Result Record Game site NFL.com
recap
Wild Card January 7, 2018 at New Orleans Saints (4) L 26–31 0–1 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap

NFC Wild Card Playoffs: at (#4) New Orleans Saints[]

NFC Wild Card Playoffs: (#5) Carolina Panthers at (#4) New Orleans Saints – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Panthers 0 9 3 14

26

Saints 7 14 3 7

31

at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Game information
1st quarter
  • NO – Ted Ginn Jr. 80-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 1:46. Saints 7–0. Drive: 2 plays, 80 yards, 0:18.
2nd quarter
  • CAR – Graham Gano 27-yard field goal, 14:12. Saints 7–3. Drive: 6 plays, 66 yards, 2:34.
  • NO – Josh Hill 9-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 9:04. Saints 14–3. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 5:08.
  • CAR – Graham Gano 39-yard field goal, 2:47. Saints 14–6. Drive: 12 plays, 54 yards, 6:17.
  • NO – Zach Line 1-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 0:43. Saints 21–6. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 2:04.
  • CAR – Graham Gano 58-yard field goal, 0:00. Saints 21–9. Drive: 5 plays, 35 yards, 0:43.
3rd quarter
  • CAR – Graham Gano 29-yard field goal, 10:58. Saints 21–12. Drive: 9 plays, 64 yards, 4:02.
  • NO – Wil Lutz 57-yard field goal, 6:05. Saints 24–12. Drive: 10 plays, 36 yards, 4:53.
4th quarter
  • CAR – Greg Olsen 14-yard pass from Cam Newton (Graham Gano kick), 12:47. Saints 24–19. Drive: 8 plays, 68 yards, 3:45.
  • NO – Alvin Kamara 2-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 5:08. Saints 31–19. Drive: 5 plays, 62 yards, 3:02.
  • CAR – Christian McCaffrey 56-yard pass from Cam Newton (Graham Gano kick), 4:09. Saints 31–26. Drive: 3 plays, 75 yards, 0:59.
Top passers
Top rushers
  • CAR – Jonathan Stewart – 11 rushes, 51 yards
  • NO – Alvin Kamara – 10 rushes, 23 yards, TD
Top receivers
  • CAR – Greg Olsen – 8 receptions, 107 yards, TD
  • NO – Michael Thomas – 8 receptions, 131 yards

Carolina looked to beat New Orleans for the first time all season. Carolina's defense played better than in the past games, holding the Saints dynamic running backs to under 100 yards combined. Saints quarterback Drew Brees threw a crucial interception late, but the Panthers comeback fell just short and they lost 26–31. The Panthers ended the Wild Card Weekend with an 11–6 record.

References[]

External links[]

Template:2017 NFL season by team

Advertisement