The 2017 season was the Carolina Panthers' 23rd in the National Football League (NFL) and their 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. His predecessor, Marty Hurney, was hired as interim general manager 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 were the defending NFC champions but finished 6âÂÂ10 and last in the NFC South. 2017 saw the Panthers qualify for the playoffs with an 11âÂÂ5 record. However, they lost to the Saints 31âÂÂ26 in the Wild Card round.
The Panthers would not make the playoffs again until 2025. However, this remains the most recent winning season for the Panthers.
Notes
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
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 23âÂÂ0. 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 23âÂÂ3. They improved to 1âÂÂ0.
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 9âÂÂ3 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 2âÂÂ0.
The Saints were too much for the Panthers as they handed them their first loss of the season, 34âÂÂ13. The Panthers fell to 2âÂÂ1.
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 Whittaker 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 17âÂÂ13 lead. With four seconds remaining in the half Gostkowski kicked a 58-yard field goal, making the halftime score 17âÂÂ16. 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 30âÂÂ16. 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 33âÂÂ30 (their first win in Foxborough since 1995) and improved to 3âÂÂ1, which would also be their record against the Patriots since losing to them in Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2004.
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 3âÂÂ10. 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 17âÂÂ10 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 27âÂÂ10 going into the fourth quarter. Matthew Stafford threw a touchdown a pass to Fells, cutting the Panthers lead to 27âÂÂ17. The Lions scored again with another Fells touchdown. The Panthers held on and won 27âÂÂ24, improving to 4âÂÂ1.
On Thursday Night Football, both teams wore their Color Rush uniforms. The Eagles beat the Panthers 28âÂÂ23, and Carolina fell to 4âÂÂ2.
The Panthers lost for a second straight week by managing to score only one field goal in Chicago. The Bears beat Carolina 17âÂÂ3, and they fell to 4âÂÂ3.
The Panthers bounced back after a two-week losing streak, and beat their division rivals 17âÂÂ3. Carolina improved to 5âÂÂ3.
This was the Panthers' first game without wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin, who was traded to Buffalo days earlier. In this game, neither team scored in the same quarter. The Falcons were the only team to score in the first quarter, and led 10âÂÂ0 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 20âÂÂ10. Atlanta had the only score of the fourth quarter, but Carolina survived and won 20âÂÂ17. Their record improved to 6âÂÂ3.
In this Monday Night Football game, the Panthers beat the Dolphins 45âÂÂ21 and improved to 7âÂÂ3.
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, 12âÂÂ10. In the third New York scored a touchdown, and Jets led by 17âÂÂ12. But Carolina answered with a Jonathan Stewart touchdown and took an 18âÂÂ17 lead. Early in the fourth Catanzaro kicked a field goal, putting the Jets back on top, 20âÂÂ18. 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 32âÂÂ20. 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 35âÂÂ27. The Panthers record improved to 8âÂÂ3 and they swept the AFC East. Their win knocked the Jets and Giants out of playoff contention.
The Panthers and Saints were tied at 7âÂÂ7 going into the second quarter. Mark Ingram II 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 31âÂÂ21. Carolina fell to 8âÂÂ4.
In a game featuring two of the NFC's best teams, Carolina was able to hold off the Vikings and win 31âÂÂ24. The Panthers improved to 9âÂÂ4.
The Panthers spoiled Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers' return by intercepting three passes and winning 31âÂÂ24. They also improved to 10âÂÂ4, finishing 3-1 against the NFC North. A few hours after the game ended, owner Jerry Richardson announced he was putting the Panthers up for sale. This marked Carolina's last win over Green Bay until 2025.
With the close win, the Panthers clinched a playoff spot for the fourth time in five years. They also improved to 11âÂÂ4 (3-2 against the NFC South) and finished 6-2 at home.
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 22âÂÂ10, making the Saints NFC South champions. The Panthers ended the regular season 11âÂÂ5 and 3-3 against the NFC South. They also finished 5-3 on the road.
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 26âÂÂ31. The Panthers ended the Wild Card Weekend with an 11âÂÂ6 record. This would be their last playoff game until 2025.