The 2024 Carolina Panthers are on the precipice of NFL history.
After Sunday’s 48-14 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Panthers have now allowed a franchise-record 496 points on the campaign—surpassing the 470 points given up in 2019. But that’s not all!
Carolina is now 38 points away from setting a new NFL record for the most points allowed in a season. With one game to go, they sit 37 points behind (or ahead) of the 1981 Baltimore Colts—who relinquished 533 points.
While much of the blame goes on the battered and bruised-up defense, this “achievement” wouldn’t be in striking distance if not for a group effort. Head coach Dave Canales spoke about being dominated in all phases of their Week 17 defeat.
“Well, I mean, it’s all of us,” Canales stated after the game, one in which his team also set a new franchise record for the lowest time of possession. “And I know that we’ve given up a lot of yards and points, I understand that. But when you go 22 percent on third down, offensively, and make it hard like that and we’re off the field, the defense has to go right back out there against a really good offensive attack.
“So it’s about opportunity. We gave them so many opportunities to continue to build off their momentum and things they were doing.”
Standing in between the Panthers and this dubious mark will be the Atlanta Falcons, who are set to play host for the regular-season finale in Week 18.
