WaltNFL Matchup Hub 2026 › Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers 2026 Team Report
NFC South · Bye: Week 5
Next game
Week 7 · Sun, Oct 25 · vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers · opponent power rank #25 Group D (Week 7 rankings) · Circa line -3
Game log & recaps
Lines are the Circa line from this team's side. Opponent rank = where I had them in my power rankings in effect at kickoff. Recaps are mine, word for word.
Opponent's group in my power rankings at kickoff: Group A Group B Group C Group D Group F
Bears 59, PANTHERS 37 (CAR +3). The Bears made a couple of mistakes to allow the Panthers to hang around. It was 21-all, but Chicago's offense was far too much for a Carolina defense that couldn't stop anything the opposition was doing. 552-478 CHI, 7.9-7.7 CHI
Panthers 34, FALCONS 3 (ATL +2.5). The Falcons had a pathetic offense that made lots of mistakes the entire game. Bryce Young made some great throws in the second half. 340-286 CAR, 5.7-4.3 CAR
BROWNS 21, Panthers 18 (CLE +2.5). The Panthers were the better team in this game, but squandered some drives by failing on fourth down, giving the Browns points on one occasion. The Panthers took an 18-13 lead late in the game and sealed the victory, but a roughing-the-passer penalty helped the Browns get a win. 360-259 CAR, 4.9-4.1 CAR
PANTHERS 32, Lions 26 (CAR +3.5). Bryce Young was on fire, and Tetairoa McMillan couldn't be stopped. The Panthers were up two touchdowns to begin the fourth quarter before a garbage-time Detroit score. 452-445 DET, 6.6-6.2 DET
Panthers 25, EAGLES 14 (PHI +1). Tanner McKee was outmatched against the Eagles defense, but it was the Eagles special teams that was primarily responsible for this loss with a horrible punt and a blocked punt. 399-222 CAR, 5.4-3.6 CAR
Bye week: Week 5.
Splits
| Situation | Games | Straight up | ATS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home | 2 | 1-1 | 1-1 |
| Away | 3 | 2-1 | 2-1 |
| As favorite | 3 | 2-1 | 2-1 |
| As underdog | 2 | 1-1 | 1-1 |
Average cover margin: +4.7 points per game against the Circa line.
EPA rankings
Weighted EPA per play from rbsdm.com, Weeks 2-6 (Week 1 excluded). Rank among 32 teams; #1 is best on both sides of the ball.
| Dropback | Rush | Success rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Offense | #11 | #11 | #17 |
| Defense | #5 | #3 | #4 |
Power rankings history
| Rankings | Published | Rank | Group |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preseason rankings | Sept. 2, 2026 | #23 | Group D |
| Week 2 rankings | Sept. 14, 2026 | #24 | Group D |
| Week 3 rankings | Sept. 22, 2026 | #20 | Group D |
| Week 4 rankings | Sept. 29, 2026 | #19 | Group D |
| Week 5 rankings | Oct. 6, 2026 | #17 | Group C |
| Week 6 rankings | Oct. 13, 2026 | #14 | Group C |
| Week 7 rankings | Oct. 19, 2026 | #16 | Group C |
Injury history
RBs
- Jonathon Brooks out 3-IR
WR/TE
- Chris Brazzell out 1-IR
- Jalen Coker LDL 3 (in)
- Xavier Legette FDL 3 (out)
- Jalen Coker DLL 4 (out)
- Xavier Legette out 6-IR
OL
- Taylor Moton out 1-5
- Ikem Ekwonu out 1-NFI
- Brady Christiansen out 1-IR
- Damien Lewis out 4
- Monroe Freeling DLF 4 (in)
- Damien Lewis LLF 6
- Monroe Freeling out 6 (out)
- Taylor Moton FFF 6 (returns)
Int DL
- Bobby Brown out 2
- Bobby Brown returns 3
Pass Rush
- Nic Scourton out 1-IR
- Patrick Jones out 1
- Patrick Jones LLL 2 (out)
- Patrick Jones returns 3
- Jaelan Phillips LLF 6
LBs
- Devin Lloyd out 3
- Devin Lloyd returns 4
CBs
- Jaycee Horn out 4-IR
- Mike Jackson out 4-IR
Safeties
- Nick Scott out 3
- Nick Scott returns 4
Key: F = Full in practice · L = Limited in practice · D = Did not practice · IR = Injured Reserve · PUP = Physically unable to perform · CE = Commissioner's Exempt List. Numbers are game weeks.
Charlie Campbell
