The Panthers captured their second straight NFC South division title and qualified for the postseason for the first time in back-to-back years despite failing to improve on a 12–4 record and finishing with a losing record of 7–8–1. Additionally, 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 after the 2010 Seattle Seahawks, and would be followed by the 2020 Washington Football Team, a team that Rivera also coached. The Panthers defeated the Arizona Cardinals in the Wild Card round, but lost to the Seattle Seahawks in the Divisional round.
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 appear to faze the team, as the Panthers won their first season opener in six years, 20-14. 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
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
Period
1
2
3
4
Total
Steelers
3
6
14
14
37
Panthers
3
0
3
13
19
at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
PIT – Antonio Brown – 10 receptions, 90 yards, 2 TD
CAR – Kelvin Benjamin – 8 receptions, 115 yards, TD
This was the first Sunday Night Football home game for the Panthers since 2009. With the loss, the Panthers dropped to 2-1. Newton left the game due to injury but he fumbled the ball. This dropped the team to 10-20 when he commits a turnover.
Week 4: at Baltimore Ravens
Week Four: Carolina Panthers at Baltimore Ravens – Game summary
BAL – Steve Smith Sr. – 7 receptions, 139 yards, 2 TD
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
Period
1
2
3
4
Total
Bears
14
7
3
0
24
Panthers
7
7
7
10
31
at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
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
CAR – Greg Olsen 13-yard pass from Cam Newton (Graham Gano kick), 4:50. Panthers 31–24. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 6:48.
CIN – Jeremy Hill 3-yard run (Mike Nugent kick), 4:32. Tied 31–31. Drive: 1 play, 3 yards, 0:18.
CIN – Mike Nugent 38-yard field goal, 2:11. Bengals 34–31. Drive: 4 plays, 4 yards, 1:11.
CAR – Graham Gano 44-yard field goal, 0:00. Tied 34–34. Drive: 12 plays, 54 yards, 2:11.
Overtime
CIN – Mike Nugent 42-yard field goal, 8:35. Bengals 37–34. Drive: 13 plays, 56 yards, 6:25.
CAR – Graham Gano 36-yard field goal, 2:19. Tied 37–37. Drive: 12 plays, 60 yards, 6:16.
Top passers
CAR – Cam Newton – 29/46, 284 yards, 2 TD, INT
CIN – Andy Dalton – 33/43, 323 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
CAR – Cam Newton – 17 rushes, 107 yards, TD
CIN – Giovani Bernard – 18 rushes, 137 yards, TD
Top receivers
CAR – Greg Olsen – 6 receptions, 62 yards, TD
CIN – Mohamed Sanu – 10 receptions, 120 yards, TD
Both teams went back and forth scoring in a shootout. 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
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
Period
1
2
3
4
Total
Falcons
0
6
10
3
19
Panthers
0
3
0
14
17
at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
CAR – Kelvin Benjamin – 9 receptions, 109 yards, TD
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. This would be Carolina's last home loss until week 3 of 2016 against Minnesota.
Week 13: at Minnesota Vikings
Week Thirteen: Carolina Panthers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
QB Derek Anderson was pressed into service for the second time in 2014, as 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
Period
1
2
3
4
Total
Browns
0
3
3
7
13
Panthers
3
7
0
7
17
at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
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 blowout Atlanta and finish the season out 7-8-1. The team would also improve to 18-6 when Newton doesn't commit a turnover.
The win over the Cardinals improved the Panthers' overall record to 8-8-1, with the defense turning in a record performance, holding Arizona to 78 total yards. Their record stood at 13-26-1 when Cam turns the ball over.
NFC Divisional Playoffs: at #1 Seattle Seahawks
NFC Divisional Playoffs: (#4) Carolina Panthers at (#1) Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
^ abcThe NY Giants defeated both Atlanta and St. Louis head-to-head (Atlanta: Week 5, 30–20; St. Louis: Week 16, 37–27), while Atlanta finished ahead of St. Louis based on conference record.
^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
^ abThe 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 linebackerJon Beason to the New York Giants.
^ abcThe 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.
