The Panthers have allowed 31 points per game, which is is the sixth worst total in NFL history.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. β The Carolina Panthers are close to setting the wrong kind of history.Β
With Sunday’s 48-14 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Panthers moved just a few touchdowns away from allowing the most points in NFL history.Β
The Panthers have allowed 496 points this season, over 50 points more than the next team. This averages out to 31 points per game, which is the sixth-worst mark in NFL history.Β
The 496 points allowed by the Panthers this season are the seventh-worst total in NFL history. Only six teams have ever allowed more than 500 points in a season — most recently the Washington Commanders allowed 518 points in 2023.
If the Panthers allow the Atlanta Falcons to score 38 points in their Week 18 matchup, they will break the all-time record for most points allowed in a season. The Falcons have scored 38 points just once this season — in a 38-20 win over the Panthers in Week 6.
The Baltimore Colts set the all-time record with 533 points allowed in 1981. Baltimore finished 2-14 that season with a point differential of negative 274 points. The Panthers have a point differential of negative 199 points this season. The 1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers set the worst point differential record with negative 287 points in their infamous 0-14 campaign.Β
The 17th regular season game added to the NFL schedule in 2021 has allowed players and teams to break records set in 16-game seasons. This is true even for the bad records.
On Sunday, the Panthers surpassed the previous franchise-worst mark of 470 points allowed set in 2019.Β
Season-long struggle
Opponents have lit up the scoreboard against the Panthers all season, turning several potential wins into losses. The Panthers have allowed their opponents to score at least 40 points in three games and have allowed at least 30 points in nine games. The latter mark is tied for the 10th most in NFL history.
These defensive woes hurt the most during a two-game stretch when the Panthers were on the verge of major upsets. Quarterback Bryce Young led the Panthers to go-ahead or game-tying scores in the final minutes against the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buccaneers but both times Carolina’s defense allowed a score that eventually resulted in a Panthers loss.Β
Panthers head coach Dave Canales, who comes from an offensive background, has not commented much on the team’s defensive struggles. When asked about what led to the Panthers allowing over 500 yards of offense to the Buccaneers on Sunday, Canales pointed to the whole team’s performance.
“It’s all of us, and I know that we’ve given up a lot of yards and points, I understand that but when you go 22% on third down offensively and they make it hard like that and we’re off the field, the defense has to go right back out there against a really good offensive attack,” Canales said in a post-game news conference.
Rushing problems
Run defense has been particularly an issue for the Panthers. The team has allowed 2830 yards rushing to opponents, which is the 13th-most in NFL history.Β
If the Panthers allow their season average of 176 yards rushing per game against the Falcons, they will post the fourth-worst total in modern league history and the worst since the 1978 Colts. The Panthers would need to allow an unthinkable 399 yards rushing to surpass the all-time mark set by the Buffalo Bills in 1978.
The Panthers have allowed over 200 yards rushing in the last five games, which is tied for the third-longest streak in league history. Kansas City’s 11-game streak in 1976 and 1977 is the record.
Injuries and future needs
The Panthers have dealt with a frustrating number of injuries this season on both sides of the ball.Β
Defensive end Derrick Brown, the team’s only Pro Bowl player in 2023, suffered a season-ending injury after Week 1. Linebacker Shaq Thompson suffered a season-ending injury in early October.
Injuries aside, the Panthers will likely look to make some moves in the offseason for some defensive talent, whether it be in the draft or free agency. The Panthers will have a Top 10 draft pick but their actual selection will depend on several results in Week 18.
