2024 has been brutal for the Panthers defense.
With 48 points allowed to Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, many franchise records were broken – and not the good ones!
This game marked all-time lows for single game records, season records and franchise history records.
So, here are just some of those records broken on Sunday:
- The 48 points allowed takes the total of points allowed on the season to 496. Passing the previous franchise record of 470 points in the 2019 season. It is the seventh-most in league history, with one game left to play! Another 48 points would be the sixth most allowed in history.
- Carolina allowed 551 yards to the Buccaneers on Sunday, bringing the net yards allowed this season to 6,340 – the most in Panthers history. The previous record for net yards allowed in a season was 6,042 in 2011.
- With 40 rushing attempts, the Panthers have now allowed 554 rushing attempts to opponents this season. The most rushing attempts allowed in franchise history. The previous record for rushing attempts allowed in a season was 521 in 2001.
- The Bucs had 202 rushing yards on Sunday. As a result the Panthers have now allowed 2,830 rushing yards in 2024. Again, the most in franchise history. The previous record for rushing yards allowed in a season was 2,301 in 2001.
- Buccaneers maintained possession for 41 minutes and 11 seconds. This marked the highest time of possession by a Panthers opponent ever. Therefore on the flip side, the 18 minutes and 49 seconds in possession was the lowest in Panthers history.
- And finally, 33 first downs were allowed on Sunday, equalling the most first downs allowed in a game in team history.
Injuries have not helped
The Panthers have been plagued by injuries in 2024.
Big money defensive tackle Derrick Brown has been out for the season since Week 1 and captain Shaq Thompson since Week 5.
On Sunday, the Panthers were without standout cornerback Jaycee Horn, signal caller Josey Jewell and rookie nickel Chau Smith-Wade.
Without Thompson and Jewell – and with rookie linebacker Trevin Wallace and Claudin Chelelus both placed on injured reserve before last week’s game – the starting linebackers against the Buccaneers were fifth and sixth on the depth chart.
One of which, Jacoby Windmon, is an undrafted rookie. Another undrafted rookie started at safety in Demani Richardson.
All the offseason attention went to Bryce Young and the offense. This coming offseason, the defense needs serious help!
Charge of coordinator?
A potential move at defensive coordinator may be needed as the Panthers fanbase is growing restless of Ejiro Evero, who has been heavily involved in the head coaching hiring cycle for the past two seasons.
Fans are asking for recently fired New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh. Canales and Saleh worked together for the Seattle Seahawks from 2011 to 2013 and are still close friends.
Saleh’s Jets and Canales’ Panthers met up this past summer for a joint practice. At the time Canales said: “Robert Saleh and I were quality control coaches together with the Seahawks. We have about a 14-year relationship.”
Saleh served as the defensive coordinator for the San Franciso 49ers before getting the Jets job.
Currently with the sixth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Panthers should be in a prime spot to add a top defensive player to the roster.
There is much needed work to be done in the offseason if the defense are to level the playing field with the offense.
