2014 Carolina Panthers season

2014 Carolina Panthers season
Head coach Ron Rivera
General manager Dave Gettleman
Owner Jerry Richardson
Home field Bank of America Stadium
Results
Record 7–8–1
Division place 1st NFC South
Playoff finish Won Wild Card Playoffs (Cardinals) 27–16
Lost Divisional Playoffs (Seahawks) 31–17
Pro Bowlers TE Greg Olsen
ILB Luke Kuechly
AP All-Pros ILB Luke Kuechly (1st team)
Uniform

The 2014 Carolina Panthers season was the franchise's 20th season in the National Football League and the fourth under head coach Ron Rivera.

The Panthers captured their second straight NFC South division title and qualified for postseason contention for the first time in back-to-back years, despite a losing record of 7–8–1; they became the first team in NFC South history to have back to back division titles and also became the second team to win a division title with a sub-.500 record, the first team being the 2010 Seattle Seahawks. The Panthers defeated the Arizona Cardinals in the Wild Card round, but lost to the Seattle Seahawks in the Divisional round.

2014 Draft Class

Main article: 2015 NFL draft
2014 Carolina Panthers Draft
Round Selection Player Position College
1 28 Kelvin Benjamin Wide receiver Florida State
2 60 Kony Ealy Defensive end Missouri
3 92 Trai Turner Offensive guard LSU
4 128 Tre Boston Safety North Carolina
5 148[upper-alpha 1] Bene Benwikere Cornerback San Jose State
6 204 Tyler Gaffney Running back Stanford
7 None[upper-alpha 1][upper-alpha 2]

Staff

2014 Carolina Panthers staff
Front office
  • Owner/Founder – Jerry Richardson
  • President – Danny Morrison
  • General Manager – Dave Gettleman
  • Director of Football Operations – Brandon Beane
  • Director of Pro Scouting – Mark Koncz
  • Director of College Scouting – Don Gregory

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

 Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

  • Special Teams Coordinator – Richard Rodgers
  • Assistant Special Teams – Bruce DeHaven

Strength and conditioning

  • Strength and Conditioning – Joe Kenn
  • Assistant Strength and Conditioning – Jason Benguche

Final roster

2014 Carolina Panthers final 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, 9 Inactive, 10 Practice squad

Schedule

Preseason

The Panthers' preseason opponents were announced on April 9, 2014.

Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.com
recap
1 August 8 Buffalo Bills L 18–20 0–1 Bank of America Stadium Recap
2 August 17 Kansas City Chiefs W 28–16 1–1 Bank of America Stadium Recap
3 August 22 at New England Patriots L 7–30 1–2 Gillette Stadium Recap
4 August 28 at Pittsburgh Steelers W 10–0 2–2 Heinz Field Recap

Regular season

Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.com
recap
1 September 7 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 20–14 1–0 Raymond James Stadium Recap
2 September 14 Detroit Lions W 24–7 2–0 Bank of America Stadium Recap
3 September 21 Pittsburgh Steelers L 19–37 2–1 Bank of America Stadium Recap
4 September 28 at Baltimore Ravens L 10–38 2–2 M&T Bank Stadium Recap
5 October 5 Chicago Bears W 31–24 3–2 Bank of America Stadium Recap
6 October 12 at Cincinnati Bengals T 37–37 (OT) 3–2–1 Paul Brown Stadium Recap
7 October 19 at Green Bay Packers L 17–38 3–3–1 Lambeau Field Recap
8 October 26 Seattle Seahawks L 9–13 3–4–1 Bank of America Stadium Recap
9 October 30 New Orleans Saints L 10–28 3–5–1 Bank of America Stadium Recap
10 November 10 at Philadelphia Eagles L 21–45 3–6–1 Lincoln Financial Field Recap
11 November 16 Atlanta Falcons L 17–19 3–7–1 Bank of America Stadium Recap
12 Bye
13 November 30 at Minnesota Vikings L 13–31 3–8–1 TCF Bank Stadium Recap
14 December 7 at New Orleans Saints W 41–10 4–8–1 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap
15 December 14 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 19–17 5–8–1 Bank of America Stadium Recap
16 December 21 Cleveland Browns W 17–13 6–8–1 Bank of America Stadium Recap
17 December 28 at Atlanta Falcons W 34–3 7–8–1 Georgia Dome Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Postseason

Playoff round Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.com
recap
Wild Card January 3, 2015 Arizona Cardinals (5) W 27–16 1–0 Bank of America Stadium Recap
Divisional January 10, 2015 at Seattle Seahawks (1) L 17–31 1–1 CenturyLink Field Recap

Game summaries

Regular season

Week 1: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week One: Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Panthers 0 10 01020
Buccaneers 0 0 01414

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

Game information
First quarter

No scoring

Second quarter
Third quarter

No scoring

Fourth quarter
  • CAR – Kelvin Benjamin 26-yard pass from Derek Anderson, Graham Gano kick, 15:00 (CAR 17–0)
  • TB – Chris Owusu 19-yard pass from Josh McCown, Patrick Murray kick, 07:30 (CAR 17–7)
  • TB – Bobby Rainey 6-yard pass from Josh McCown, Patrick Murray kick, 02:11 (CAR 17–14)
  • CAR – Graham Gano 33-yard field goal, 00:28 (CAR 20–14)
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers

Derek Anderson made his first start as Panthers QB, substituting for Cam Newton who was nursing a rib injury he'd suffered during the preseason. The change in QB didn't seem to faze the team, as the Panthers won their first season opener in six years. They started the season 1-0 and improved to 1-0 without Newton starting.

Week 2: vs. Detroit Lions

Week Two: Detroit Lions at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Lions 0 0 707
Panthers 0 6 71124

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

  • Date: September 14
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 70 °F (21 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 73,586
  • Referee: Jerome Boger
  • TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Ronde Barber and Jennifer Hale
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • DET –
  • CAR –
Top rushers
  • DET –
  • CAR –
Top receivers
  • DET –
  • CAR –
Top tacklers
  • DET –
  • CAR –

Newton returned to the starting lineup with some added padding around his ribs. The game's highlight was a defensive interception against Lions star WR Calvin "Megatron" Johnson. With the win, the Panthers improved to 2-0 and 16-5 when Newton doesn't commit a turnover.

Week 3: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Week Three: Pittsburgh Steelers at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Steelers 3 6 141437
Panthers 3 0 31319

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • PIT –
  • CAR –
Top rushers
  • PIT –
  • CAR –
Top receivers
  • PIT –
  • CAR –
Top tacklers
  • PIT –
  • CAR –

This was the first Sunday Night Football home game for the Panthers since 2009. With the loss, the Panthers dropped to 2-1. Cam Newton left the game due to injury but he fumbled the ball dropping the team to 10-20 when he commits a turnover.

Week 4: at Baltimore Ravens

Week Four: Carolina Panthers at Baltimore Ravens – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Panthers 0 7 3010
Ravens 0 21 71038

at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

Game information
First quarter

No Scoring

Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • CAR –
  • BAL –
Top rushers
  • CAR –
  • BAL –
Top receivers
  • CAR –
  • BAL –
Top tacklers
  • CAR –
  • BAL –

This game marked the first time WR Steve Smith Sr. played against his former team after being cut in the offseason. He was clearly fired up, recording over 100 yards receiving and two touchdown receptions. With the loss, the Panthers record was 2-2. The team dropped to 16-6 when Newton doesn't commit a turnover.

Week 5: vs. Chicago Bears

Week Five: Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Bears 14 7 3024
Panthers 7 7 71031

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • CHI –
  • CAR –
Top rushers
  • CHI –
  • CAR –
Top receivers
  • CHI –
  • CAR –
Top tacklers
  • CHI –
  • CAR –

With the win, the Panthers improved to 3-2. They would also improve to 11-20 when Newton commits at least one turnover. Unknown at the time, this would be the team's last victory for over two months.

Week 6: at Cincinnati Bengals

Week Six: Carolina Panthers at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
1 2 34OTTotal
Panthers 7 3 1410337
Bengals 0 17 017337

at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

  • Date: October 12
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 60 °F (16 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 57,053
  • Referee: Carl Cheffers
  • TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Ronde Barber and Jennifer Hale
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • CAR –
  • CIN –
Top rushers
  • CAR –
  • CIN –
Top receivers
  • CAR –
  • CIN –
Top tacklers
  • CAR –
  • CIN –

Both teams went back and forth scoring and holding the opposing offense without scoring. This would be the highest-scoring overtime tie in NFL history,[1] as well as the first tie in Panthers history as their record stood at 3-2-1. The team's record then stood at 11-20-1 when Newton commits a turnover.

Week 7: at Green Bay Packers

Week Seven: Carolina Panthers at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Panthers 0 3 01417
Packers 21 7 10038

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • CAR –
  • GB –
Top rushers
  • CAR –
  • GB –
Top receivers
  • CAR –
  • GB –
Top tacklers
  • CAR –
  • GB –

With the loss, the Panthers dropped to 3-3-1. The team also dropped to 11-21-1 when Newton turns the ball over.

Week 8: vs. Seattle Seahawks

Week Eight: Seattle Seahawks at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Seahawks 0 3 3713
Panthers 3 3 039

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • SEA –
  • CAR –
Top rushers
  • SEA –
  • CAR –
Top receivers
  • SEA –
  • CAR –
Top tacklers
  • SEA –
  • CAR –

With the loss, the Panthers dropped to 3-4-1. The team also dropped to 11-22-1 when Newton commits at least one turnover.

Week 9: vs. New Orleans Saints

Week Nine: New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Saints 0 14 7728
Panthers 0 0 7310

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • NO –
  • CAR –
Top rushers
  • NO –
  • CAR –
Top receivers
  • NO –
  • CAR –
Top tacklers
  • NO –
  • CAR –

With the loss, the Panthers dropped to 3-5-1. The team would sit at 11-23-1 when Newton turns the ball over.

Week 10: at Philadelphia Eagles

Week Ten: Carolina Panthers at Philadelphia Eagles – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Panthers 7 0 01421
Eagles 17 14 7745

at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • CAR –
  • PHI –
Top rushers
  • CAR –
  • PHI –
Top receivers
  • CAR –
  • PHI –
Top tacklers
  • CAR –
  • PHI –

On Monday Night Football, Carolina barely put up a fight. The Eagles easily won the game, their defense sacking Cam Newton nine times. This dropped the Panthers record to 3-6-1. They also fell to 11-24-1 when Newton commits at least one turnover.

Week 11: vs. Atlanta Falcons

Week Eleven: Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Falcons 0 6 10319
Panthers 0 3 01417

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • ATL –
  • CAR –
Top rushers
  • ATL –
  • CAR –
Top receivers
  • ATL –
  • CAR –
Top tacklers
  • ATL –
  • CAR –

With their fifth straight loss, the Panthers headed into their bye week at 3-7-1. Also the team dropped to 11-25-1 when Newton commits a turnover.

Week 13: at Minnesota Vikings

Week Thirteen: Carolina Panthers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Panthers 3 3 7013
Vikings 14 14 0331

at TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: November 30
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 12 °F (−11 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 52,016
  • Referee: Brad Allen
  • TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Ronde Barber and Jennifer Hale
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • CAR –
  • MIN –
Top rushers
  • CAR –
  • MIN –
Top receivers
  • CAR –
  • MIN –
Top tacklers
  • CAR –
  • MIN –

With the loss, the Panthers dropped to 3-8-1 and 11-26-1 when Newton commits at least one turnover.

Week 14: at New Orleans Saints

Week Fourteen: Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Panthers 17 7 14341
Saints 0 3 0710

at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • CAR –
  • NO –
Top rushers
  • CAR –
  • NO –
Top receivers
  • CAR –
  • NO –
Top tacklers
  • CAR –
  • NO –

With their 6-game losing streak snapped, the Panthers improved to 4-8-1. The team also improved to 17-6 when Newton doesn't commit a turnover.

Week 15: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week Fifteen: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Buccaneers 7 3 0717
Panthers 6 3 7319

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

  • Date: December 14
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 60 °F (16 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 72,842
  • Referee: Ron Torbert
  • TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, Kirk Morrison and Kristina Pink
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • TB –
  • CAR –
Top rushers
  • TB –
  • CAR –
Top receivers
  • TB –
  • CAR –
Top tacklers
  • TB –
  • CAR –

QB Derek Anderson was pressed into service for the second time in 2014, as Cam Newton had injured his back in a car accident earlier that week. Once again, Anderson led the Panthers to a close victory over Tampa Bay, completing a season sweep and improving the team's record to 5-8-1. Anderson improved his starting regular season record as a Panther to 2-0.

Week 16: vs. Cleveland Browns

Week Sixteen: Cleveland Browns at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Browns 0 3 3713
Panthers 3 7 0717

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • CLE –
  • CAR –
Top rushers
  • CLE –
  • CAR –
Top receivers
  • CLE –
  • CAR –
Top tacklers
  • CLE –
  • CAR –

With the win, the Panthers improved to 6-8-1 and 12-26-1 when Newton turns the ball over at least once.

Week 17: at Atlanta Falcons

Week Seventeen: Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Panthers 10 14 10034
Falcons 3 0 003

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • CAR –
  • ATL –
Top rushers
  • CAR –
  • ATL –
Top receivers
  • CAR –
  • ATL –
Top tacklers
  • CAR –
  • ATL –

The Panthers finished their season in Atlanta against the Falcons with the NFC South title and the NFC's #4 seed on the line. They would eventually win and finish the season out 7-8-1. The team would also improve to 18-6 when Newton doesn't commit a turnover.

Postseason

NFC Wild Card Playoffs: vs. #5 Arizona Cardinals

NFC Wild Card Playoffs: (#5) Arizona Cardinals at (#4) Carolina Panthers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Cardinals 0 14 0216
Panthers 10 3 14027

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • ARI –
  • CAR –
Top rushers
  • ARI –
  • CAR –
Top receivers
  • ARI –
  • CAR –
Top tacklers
  • ARI –
  • CAR –

The win over the Cardinals improved the Panthers' overall record to 8-8-1 and 13-26-1 when Cam turns the ball over at least once.

NFC Divisional Playoffs: at #1 Seattle Seahawks

NFC Divisional Playoffs: (#4) Carolina Panthers at (#1) Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Panthers 0 10 0717
Seahawks 7 7 01731

at CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington

Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • CAR –
  • SEA –
Top rushers
  • CAR –
  • SEA –
Top receivers
  • CAR –
  • SEA –
Top tacklers
  • CAR –
  • SEA –

The loss made the Panthers finish 8-9-1 overall and 13-27-1 when Newton turns the ball over.

Standings

Division

NFC South
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(4) Carolina Panthers 7 8 1 .469 4–2 6–6 339 374 W4
New Orleans Saints 7 9 0 .438 3–3 6–6 401 424 W1
Atlanta Falcons 6 10 0 .375 5–1 6–6 381 417 L1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2 14 0 .125 0–6 1–11 277 410 L6

Conference

# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA PD STK
Division leaders
1[lower-alpha 1] Seattle Seahawks West 12 4 0 .750 5–1 10–2 394 254 140 W6
2[lower-alpha 1] Green Bay Packers North 12 4 0 .750 5–1 9–3 486 348 138 W2
3[lower-alpha 1] Dallas Cowboys East 12 4 0 .750 4–2 8–4 467 352 115 W4
4 Carolina Panthers South 7 8 1 .469 4–2 6–6 339 374 –25 W4
Wild Cards
5[lower-alpha 2] Arizona Cardinals West 11 5 0 .688 3–3 8–4 310 299 11 L2
6[lower-alpha 2] Detroit Lions North 11 5 0 .688 5–1 9–3 321 282 33 L1
Did not qualify for the playoffs
7 Philadelphia Eagles East 10 6 0 .625 4–2 6–6 474 400 74 W1
8 San Francisco 49ers West 8 8 0 .500 2–4 7–5 306 340 –34 W1
9[lower-alpha 3] New Orleans Saints South 7 9 0 .438 3–3 6–6 401 424 –23 W1
10[lower-alpha 3] Minnesota Vikings North 7 9 0 .438 1–5 6–6 325 343 –18 W1
11[lower-alpha 4] New York Giants East 6 10 0 .375 2–4 4–8 380 400 –20 L1
12[lower-alpha 4] Atlanta Falcons South 6 10 0 .375 5–1 6–6 381 417 –36 L1
13[lower-alpha 4] St. Louis Rams West 6 10 0 .375 2–4 4–8 324 354 –30 L3
14 Chicago Bears North 5 11 0 .313 1–5 4–8 319 442 –123 L5
15 Washington Redskins East 4 12 0 .250 2–4 2–10 301 438 –137 L1
16 Tampa Bay Buccaneers South 2 14 0 .125 0–6 1–11 277 410 –133 L6
Tiebreakers[lower-alpha 5]
  1. 1 2 3 Seattle, Green Bay and Dallas were ranked in seeds 1–3 based on conference record.
  2. 1 2 Arizona defeated Detroit head-to-head (Week 11, 14–6).
  3. 1 2 New Orleans defeated Minnesota head-to-head (Week 3, 20–9).
  4. 1 2 3 The New York Giants defeated both Atlanta and St. Louis head-to-head (Atlanta: Week 5, 30–20; St. Louis: Week 16, 37–27).
    Atlanta finished ahead of St. Louis based on conference record.
  5. ↑ When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest ranked remaining team from each division.

Notes

  1. 1 2 The Panthers traded their original fifth- and one of their two seventh-round selections — Nos. 168 and 225 overall, respectively — to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for the Vikings' fifth-round selection (No. 148 overall). The Panthers previously acquired the No. 225 overall selection in a trade that sent linebacker Jon Beason to the New York Giants.
  2. ↑ The Panthers traded their original seventh-round selection (No. 243 overall) to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for safety Colin Jones.
  3. 1 2 3 The kickoff time and/or network were changed after the initial schedule release as a result of flexible scheduling.The kickoff time and/or network were changed after the initial schedule release as a result of flexible scheduling.
  4. ↑ Simulcast on WBTV.
  5. ↑ Simulcast on WSOC-TV.
  6. ↑ Simulcast on WJZY.

References

  1. ↑ http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000409619/article/bengals-panthers-have-highestscoring-tie-game-ever
  2. ↑ "2014 Conference Standings". NFL.com. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
  3. ↑ "2014 NFL playoff picture". CBS Sports. Retrieved September 30, 2014.

External links

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