The Carolina Panthers have been in this situation before (0-1) and are hoping to avoid another setback across North Carolina sports betting as they return home in a primetime Monday Night matchup against division NFC South rival the New Orleans Saints (1-0) at 7:15 p.m., Sept. 18 (ESPN).
Utilizing Stathead.com, BetCarolina.com looked at how teams ended up the rest of the NFL season after starting their season with an 0-2 record since the 1970 merger. There have been 406 teams that have started 0-2 since the 1970 NFL merger. The good news for fans already nervous about the Panthers playoff chances? This franchise has actually turned things around from 0-2 before. Here is what we found out.
Performance of NFL Teams Starting 0-2
History Not Totally Against Panthers
If history proves anything after two games, there is certainly time to get the rust off, improve and get better with game experience as 57 teams (14%) since 1970 have gone onto have a winning season after starting 0-2. That wouldn't make the Panthers a playoff favorite on NC sports betting apps, but it wouldn't rule them out, either. Of that number, 39 (9.6%) of those teams went on to make the playoffs, with just four (1%) teams advancing to make the Super Bowl. To actually win it, just three (0.7%) teams have actually done so.
The Panthers have all new things in place with coach Frank Reich and the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner and last April's No. 1 overall Draft selection Bryce Young as the team's starting quarterback. In his first NFL game Sunday in a 24-10 loss at division rival the Atlanta Falcons, Young completed 20-of-38 passes for 146 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions for a passer rating of 48.8. He also was sacked twice in the fourth quarter. The Falcons scored 17 of their 24 points off Panthers' turnovers to get the season-opening win. Keep tabs on Bryce Young Odds to win Offensive Rookie of the Year here.
Last season, the Panthers were one of six teams to start the year at 0-2, but their first two losses were nail-biters by two and three points, respectively, to the Cleveland Browns at home and the New York Giants on the road. However, they got off the winless ledger in week 3 with a 22-14 home victory against .... New Orleans. The team also made a late run for the NFC South title under interim coach Steve Wilks, but fell short in Tampa in Week 18.
Ten years ago is the best reference point for Panthers fans though, should they fall to the Saints Monday night. The Panthers started 0-2 and finished with a best record of 12-4 in 2013. The only other team to have a 12-4 record after starting 0-2? The Cincinnati Bengals in 2022.
MORE: North Carolina NFL Betting Guide
