The 2018 season was the Carolina Panthers' 24th in the National Football League (NFL) and their eighth under head coach Ron Rivera. It was the team's first season without former assistant head coach/defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, who became head coach of the Arizona Cardinals in the offseason and former offensive coordinator Mike Shula, who became the quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator of the New York Giants.
The Panthers entered the season hoping to improve or match their 11âÂÂ5 record from last year. After starting 6âÂÂ2, the Panthers suffered a late-season collapse, going on a 7-game losing streak, failing to improve or match their previous season's record, and were eliminated from playoff contention following a loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 16. Although they went a dismal 1âÂÂ7 in the second half of the season, the Panthers managed to end on a high note by defeating their division rival New Orleans Saints, 33âÂÂ14. From 2018 onwards, the Panthers finished each season with a losing record, and entered an 8 year playoff drought that lasted until the 2025 season.
Draft trades
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
In the Panthers' home opener both teams were scoreless in the first quarter. In the second, Cam Newton rushed for a touchdown to score the game's first points. Graham Gano later kicked a field goal to further the Panthers' lead to 10âÂÂ0. Both teams were again scoreless in the third quarter. Alexander Armah scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter, but the extra point attempt was no good when the ball slipped out of Michael Palardy's hands. The Cowboys later put points on the board with an Ezekiel Elliott touchdown run followed by a two-point conversion by quarterback Dak Prescott, decreasing the Panthers' lead to eight points. The Panthers managed to hold off the Cowboys by forcing a fumble off Prescott in the Cowboys' last offensive drive, winning 16âÂÂ8.
Tight end Greg Olsen and offensive tackle Daryl Williams left the game early due to injuries.
The Falcons proved too much for the Panthers. With the 24âÂÂ31 loss, the Panthers fell to 1âÂÂ1.
The Bengals were the first to score in the game but the Panthers answered back with a Cam Newton touchdown. Late in the first quarter Andy Dalton threw a pass intended for John Ross but it was intercepted by Donte Jackson. Early in the second Devin Funchess scored a touchdown with a Graham Gano field goal, and Carolina took the lead. Dalton was sacked by Efe Obada and fumbled the ball. Carolina recovered but the call was reversed and the Bengals soon tied the game at 14. Carolina took back the lead with a C. J. Anderson touchdown. In the third Dalton was picked off again, this time by Obada. Cincinnati soon followed a Newton TD with a touchdown of their own, moving to within seven. With less than four minutes to go, Jackson intercepted a Dalton pass intended for Ross. Gano then kicked a field goal making the score 31âÂÂ21. Dalton's Hail Mary attempt, intended for Tyler Eifert, was picked off by Luke Kuechly. The Panthers won and improved to 2âÂÂ1.
The Panthers came back after their bye week and took on the New York Giants at home. Carolina went into the third quarter with a 20âÂÂ13 lead. New York scored a field goal in the third quarter, decreasing the Panthers' lead to four. In the fourth quarter, the Giants scored a touchdown with a two-point conversion, followed by a Carolina field goal. With 1:15 to go in the game, the Giants scored on a Saquon Barkley touchdown catch, giving New York their first lead since the first quarter. The Panthers, down 31-30, only had a little more than a minute to try to win. They were able to get in field goal position. With six seconds to go, Graham Gano's 63-yard field goal was good. It was the longest successful field goal in franchise history and Gano became one of only six players to make a kick from 63 yards or longer. The Panthers won 33âÂÂ31, improving to 3âÂÂ1.
Things didn't start off well for the Panthers. Rookie D. J. Moore fumbled on a punt return and Washington recovered. This put the Redskins at a perfect spot to score and they did so. The Panthers had multiple turnovers in the first quarter, giving the Redskins a 14âÂÂ0 lead by the end of one. The Panthers were able to catch up to the Redskins and had a chance to take the lead late in the fourth quarter. However, on fourth down and 5 at the Redskins 16, Cam Newton's pass for Jarius Wright fell incomplete. With the close loss of 17âÂÂ23, the Panthers fell to 3âÂÂ2.<br> This game saw the return of both Greg Olsen, who had been out with a foot injury since week one, and Thomas Davis, who was suspended for the first four games of the season.
The Panthers were down 17-0 going into the fourth quarter with a seemingly lifeless offense. However, the team scored 21 points in the 4th quarter and beat the shell-shocked Eagles 21âÂÂ17, improving to 4âÂÂ2. They sealed the victory after preventing a 4th down conversion by the Eagles in the closing seconds of the 4th quarter. It was the largest 4th quarter comeback win in team history, and the largest comeback in franchise history.
Carolina and Baltimore went into the second quarter tied at seven. In the beginning of the second, Kyle Love tipped the ball out of QB Joe Flacco's hands, and the ball was recovered by Luke Kuechly. Greg Olsen scored a touchdown for the Panthers. Towards the end of the second, Cam Newton threw the ball into the end zone. Baltimore tipped it but Christian McCaffrey was able to catch it and score. With two seconds to go in the half, Graham Gano kicked a field goal, giving Carolina a 24âÂÂ7 lead. In the third, Gano kicked another field goal. Alex Collins scored a touchdown for the Ravens making it a 27âÂÂ14 Panthers lead. Newton scored a touchdown in the fourth but a two-point conversion attempt was no good. Gano later made another field goal. The Panthers won 36âÂÂ21 and improved to 5âÂÂ2.
The Panthers went into half time up 35âÂÂ14. In the third quarter Tampa Bay scored a touchdown making the score 35âÂÂ21. Carolina and Tampa Bay both scored a touchdown in the fourth. The Panthers won 42âÂÂ28, and improved to 6âÂÂ2.
In this Thursday night game, the Steelers were too much for the Panthers, as the Steelers' defense sacked Cam Newton five times and returned an interception for a touchdown, while their offense scored on seven of their eight drives under Ben Roethlisberger, who threw for five touchdowns and recorded a perfect passer rating, culminating in a 21âÂÂ52 loss.
With the crushing loss, the Panthers' three game winning streak was snapped, and they fell to 6âÂÂ3.
Cam Newton went 23 for 29, throwing for 193 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception, giving him a passer rating of 103 in spite of the Steelers suffocating defense.
Carolina had a chance to win at the end of the game with a two-point conversion attempt. However, Newton's pass intended for Wright fell incomplete. With the loss, the Panthers fall to 6-4.
In a tight contest the Panthers were unable to put away the Seahawks, and lost 27âÂÂ30. They fell to 6âÂÂ5.
The Panthers, thanks in part to Newton's four interceptions, fell to 6-6. The day after the game, the Panthers announced defensive line coach Brady Hoke and assistant secondary/cornerbacks coach Jeff Imamura had been fired. Ron Rivera would also take over defensive play calling duties, although Washington would retain the title of defensive coordinator.
With the loss, Carolina fell to 6-7.
The Panthers came into Monday night facing the NFC South champion and playoff-bound Saints. Carolina's defense stifled Drew Brees and the Saints offense for most of the game, forcing three turnovers. Cornerback Donte Jackson had a pick-two on a two-point conversion attempt and fellow corner James Bradberry had an interception. However, the Panthers offense stalled on several drives, including their final one. With the loss, the team's record fell to 6-8.
During the week, the Panthers decided to give backup QB Taylor Heinicke his first NFL start due to Newton's injured shoulder. The Panthers lost 24-10, extending their losing streak to 7 games (6âÂÂ9 overall). They were also both swept by the Falcons and eliminated from playoff contention as a result.
This was the Panthers' only game outside of the Eastern Time Zone during the season. Kyle Allen made his first start at QB due to injuries. Behind Allen, the Panthers won 33-14. With the win, the Panthers finished the season 7-9 and snapped their 7-game losing streak.