Carolina Panthers

Team Overview

The Carolina Panthers enter 2025 with cautious optimism, aiming to climb out of the NFC South basement after a 5-12 record in 2024. Under head coach Dave Canales and GM Dan Morgan, the focus is on quarterback Bryce Young’s development and leveraging a favorable schedule (fifth-easiest in the NFL) to push for 8-9 wins. For survivor pool players, the Panthers offer a mix of winnable home games and risky road trips, making strategic timing critical.


Team Roster Review

Offense

  • Quarterback: Bryce Young (2023 No. 1 overall pick, 2,877 yards, 11 TDs in 2024). Young showed late-season promise but needs consistency. Backup: Andy Dalton.
  • Running Backs: Chuba Hubbard (1,195 yards, 10 TDs in 2024), Trevor Etienne (rookie, dynamic playmaker), Rico Dowdle. Hubbard anchors a solid ground game.
  • Wide Receivers: Tetairoa McMillan (rookie, No. 8 overall pick), Xavier Legette (2024 first-rounder), Adam Thielen, Jalen Coker. McMillan’s arrival adds explosiveness.
  • Tight Ends: Ja’Tavion Sanders, Tommy Tremble, Mitchell Evans (rookie). Sanders is a rising pass-catching threat.
  • Offensive Line: Ikem Ekwonu (fifth-year option picked up), Robert Hunt, Austin Corbett, Taylor Moton. Strong run-blocking unit, but pass protection remains a concern.


Defense

  • Defensive Line: Edge: Nic Scourton (rookie), Princely Umanmielen (rookie), Jadeveon Clowney (released in 2025, per web:24). Interior: Cam Jackson (rookie), Derrick Brown. Youthful but unproven edge rushers replace veterans.
  • Linebackers: Josey Jewell, Shaq Thompson. Solid tackling duo but lacking depth.
  • Secondary: Jaycee Horn ($100M extension), Lathan Ransom (rookie), Troy Hill. Horn’s coverage skills are elite, but depth is thin.
  • Special Teams: K Eddy Pineiro, P Johnny Hekker. Reliable kicking and punting units.


2025 Draft Class

  • Round 1, Pick 8: WR Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona) – Elite route-runner, big-play threat.
  • Round 2, Pick 51: EDGE Nic Scourton (Texas A&M) – 6.5 sacks in 2024, high motor.
  • Round 3, Pick 77: EDGE Princely Umanmielen (Ole Miss) – Explosive pass-rusher, 7.0 sacks in college.
  • Round 4, Pick 114: RB Trevor Etienne (Georgia) – Versatile, shifty back.
  • Round 4, Pick 122: S Lathan Ransom (Ohio State) – Ball-hawking safety, adds depth.
  • Round 5, Pick 140: DT Cam Jackson (Florida) – Run-stopper, learning from Derrick Brown.
  • Round 5, Pick 163: TE Mitchell Evans (Notre Dame) – Reliable hands, red-zone target.
  • Round 6, Pick 208: WR Jimmy Horn Jr. (Colorado) – Speedy slot receiver.


Team Offense and Defense Metrics (2024 Season)

Offense

  • Points per game: 18.7 (28th in NFL)
  • Total yards per game: 309.4 (26th)
  • Passing yards: 2,877 (22nd)
  • Rushing yards: 1,962 (12th, led by Hubbard’s 1,195)
  • 2025 Outlook: McMillan and Etienne boost the passing and run games, but Young’s growth is pivotal. Expect improvement to ~22 points per game.


Defense

  • Points allowed per game: 26.5 (27th)
  • Total yards allowed: 349.8 (24th)
  • Passing yards allowed: 3,892 (26th)
  • Rushing yards allowed: 1,765 (19th)
  • 2025 Outlook: Rookie pass-rushers Scourton and Umanmielen add upside, but secondary depth is a concern. Mid-tier defense expected (~23 points allowed).


2025 Schedule Analysis

Below is the Panthers’ 2025 schedule with win probabilities (based on Vegas oddsmakers’ projections and strength of schedule) and survivor pool fit.

Week Date Opponent Location Time/Network Win Probability Survivor Pool Fit
1 Sun, Sep 7 Jacksonville Jaguars Away 1:00 PM, FOX 55% Moderate: Jags are young, but Trevor Lawrence and Travis Hunter make this a toss-up. Not ideal for Week 1.
2 Sun, 9/14 Arizona Cardinals Away 4:05 PM, CBS 45% Poor: Road game against a rising Cardinals team. Avoid early-season risks.
3 Sun, 9/21 Atlanta Falcons Home 1:00 PM, FOX 60% Good: Home opener vs. a divisional rival. Falcons’ inconsistency makes this a solid pick.
4 Sun, 9/28 New England Patriots Away 1:00 PM, FOX 65% Streamable: Pats are rebuilding; Panthers’ run game could dominate. Strong road pick.
5 Sun, 10/5 Miami Dolphins Home 1:00 PM, FOX 50% Moderate: Dolphins’ speed is tough, but home advantage helps. Risky but playable.
6 Sun, 10/12 Dallas Cowboys Home 1:00 PM, FOX 40% Poor: Cowboys’ talent edge makes this a trap game, even at home. Avoid.
7 Sun, 10/19 New York Jets Away 1:00 PM, FOX 45% Poor: Jets’ defense is stout, and Rodgers could exploit Panthers’ secondary. Avoid.
8 Sun, Oct 26 Buffalo Bills Home 1:00 PM, FOX 35% Poor: Bills are a playoff contender; home field isn’t enough. Avoid.
9 Sun, 11/2 Green Bay Packers Away 1:00 PM, FOX 40% Poor: Cold weather and Packers’ balanced attack make this a tough road game. Avoid.
10 Sun, 11/9 New Orleans Saints Home 1:00 PM, FOX 60% Top-Tier Anchor: Saints’ inconsistent offense and Panthers’ home edge make this a prime pick.
11 Sun, 11/16 Atlanta Falcons Away 1:00 PM, FOX 50% Moderate: Divisional road games are tricky, but Panthers could steal one. Risky.
12 Mon, 11/24 San Francisco 49ers Away 8:15 PM, ESPN 30% Poor: Primetime road game vs. a powerhouse. Avoid at all costs.
13 Sun, 11/30 Los Angeles Rams Home 1:00 PM, FOX 55% Streamable: Rams are talented but beatable at home. Solid mid-season option.
14 Bye - - - - -
15 Sun, 12/14 New Orleans Saints Away 4:25 PM, FOX 45% Poor: Late-season road divisional game is too unpredictable. Avoid.
16 Sun, 12/21 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Home 1:00 PM, FOX 60% Top-Tier Anchor: Bucs struggle on the road, and Panthers’ run game shines. Prime pick.
17 Sun, 12/28 Seattle Seahawks Away 1:00 PM, TBD 40% Poor: Seahawks’ home field and defense make this a tough late-season road game. Avoid.
18 Sat, 1/4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Away 1:00 PM, TBD 50% Moderate: Divisional road game to close the season. Too risky for survivor pools.

Notes on Key Stats from 2024

  • Offensive Struggles: The Panthers ranked 28th in scoring (18.7 PPG), with Bryce Young’s 11 TDs and 10 INTs reflecting growing pains. However, his late-season improvement (65.2% completion rate in final 6 games) signals potential.
  • Run Game Strength: Chuba Hubbard’s 1,195 yards and 10 TDs were a bright spot, ranking 12th in rushing offense.
  • Defensive Woes: Allowed 26.5 PPG (27th), with a weak pass rush (29 sacks, 25th). Rookie additions Scourton and Umanmielen aim to address this.
  • Turnover Margin: -7 (24th), a critical area for improvement in 2025 to boost win probability in close games.


Survivor Pool Strategy

The Panthers are a mid-tier survivor pool option in 2025, thanks to their favorable schedule and home-heavy divisional games. Their ceiling is 8-9 wins, but inconsistency and a tough early road slate make them a situational pick. Focus on home games against weaker or inconsistent opponents (e.g., Saints, Rams, Bucs) and avoid road games or matchups against elite teams like the 49ers or Bills. Use them in weeks where divisional familiarity and home-field advantage align.


Best Survivor Picks

  • Week 3 vs. Atlanta Falcons (60% win probability): The home opener against a divisional rival is winnable. Atlanta’s offense can be inconsistent, and the Panthers’ run game should control the clock.
  • Week 10 vs. New Orleans Saints (60% win probability): The Saints’ offense lacks firepower, and Carolina’s home advantage makes this a safe pick before the bye.
  • Week 16 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (60% win probability): Late-season home game against a divisional foe. Tampa’s road struggles and Carolina’s ground attack make this a strong choice.


Weeks to Avoid

  • Week 2 @ Arizona Cardinals: Early road game against a rising team with Kyler Murray’s dual-threat ability is a trap.
  • Week 6 vs. Dallas Cowboys: Dallas’s talent edge, even at home, makes this risky.
  • Week 12 @ San Francisco 49ers: Primetime road game against a Super Bowl contender is a death knell for survivor pools.
  • Week 15 @ New Orleans Saints: Late-season divisional road games are unpredictable, especially after a bye.


Additional Survivor Pool Considerations

  • Early Season Risk: The Panthers start with two road games (Jaguars, Cardinals), which could lead to an 0-2 start if Young struggles. Avoid early picks unless you’re confident in their Week 3 home opener.
  • Divisional Games: Four of their six NFC South games are winnable (Weeks 3, 10, 16, 18), but divisional familiarity makes them coin flips. Prioritize home matchups.
  • Bye Week Timing: Week 14 bye is late, potentially preserving roster health for Weeks 15-18, making Week 16 vs. Tampa a strong pick.
  • Rookie Impact: McMillan and Etienne could stretch defenses, opening the run game, but rookie growing pains may hurt early consistency.


Final Verdict

The Carolina Panthers are a sneaky survivor pool option in 2025, with a favorable schedule and winnable home games in Weeks 3, 10, and 16. Their run-heavy offense and improving defense make them viable against middling opponents like the Falcons, Saints, and Bucs at home. However, avoid early road games and elite matchups like the 49ers or Bills. Use the Panthers as a mid-to-late-season anchor when home-field advantage and divisional matchups align, but don’t bank on them for a deep playoff push.

  • Who should I pick for the Carolina Panthers in a 2025 NFL survivor pool?

    Go with Week 10 vs. New Orleans Saints or Week 16 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Both are home games against divisional rivals with inconsistent offenses, giving Carolina a 60% win probability. Avoid early road games like Week 2 at Arizona.

  • Are the Carolina Panthers a good survivor pool pick in 2025?

    They’re a situational pick. Their fifth-easiest schedule and home games against teams like the Saints (Week 10) and Bucs (Week 16) make them viable, but steer clear of tough road matchups (e.g., Week 12 at San Francisco).

  • What’s the Panthers’ easiest game for a survivor pool in 2025?

    Week 10 vs. New Orleans Saints is the safest bet. It’s a home game, pre-bye, against a Saints team with offensive struggles. The Panthers’ run game and home crowd give them a solid edge.