Panthers Playoff Chances: Panthers Playoff Picture 2025

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The Carolina Panthers showed signs of progress late last season, giving fans hope that 2025 could mark a turning point. However, a sluggish start with a Week 1 loss has dampened that optimism, leaving Carolina with just an 18.2% chance to make the playoffs according to the latest projections.

Now, they turn their attention to Week 2, where they are 6.5-point underdogs on the road against the Cardinals in Arizona. Follow along all season as we track Carolina’s odds throughout the 2025–26 campaign.

What Are the Panthers Playoff Chances?

The Panthers' playoff chances are 18.2% according to DraftKings Sportsbook North Carolina. These odds vary by sportsbook and will shift as the season progresses.

🏈 Make Playoffs Chances18.2% (+450)
❌ Miss Playoffs Chances86.7% (-650)
🏆 Win Super Bowl Chances0.5% (+20000)
🥇 Win NFC Chances1.6% (+6000)
⭐ Win NFC South Chances1.2% (+8000)
📊 Regular Season WinsO/U 6.5 (+125/-150)
✅ Last VerifiedSeptember 12, 2025

Carolina starts the season 0-1, but there’s plenty of time for the Panthers to turn things around and become playoff contenders. In addition to tracking their playoff odds, we’re also keeping an eye on the Panthers Super Bowl odds this season.

Do the Carolina Panthers Have a Chance to Make the Playoffs?

Yes, the Panthers have a chance at making the playoffs. Technically, every team does at this point in the season. At +450 odds at sportsbooks, Carolina holds an 18.2% chance to reach the playoffs in 2025. We expect these odds to shift as the season unfolds.

Where Can I Bet on the Carolina Panthers to Make the Playoffs?

You can bet on the NFL playoffs with most major sportsbooks, including FanDuel, DraftKings, Caesars, and BetMGM, among others.

North Carolina sports betting apps can be used to bet on the Panthers' playoff chances for the 2025 season.

Since mobile sports betting is live in the state, be sure to keep an eye out for North Carolina betting promos, which can give you extra bankroll for NFL futures bets and more.

North Carolina has also legalized sports betting in limited locations at tribal casinos as of March 2021:

🔥 MORE: Sports Betting North Carolina

Are the Panthers in the Playoffs?

Carolina missed the playoffs last season, but after an active offseason, they’ll be eager to chase a postseason spot in 2025. Currently, their odds to make the playoffs stand at +450, which translates to an 18.2% chance. Carolina dropped their first regular-season road game and now heads to Arizona to face the Cardinals in Week 2.

Panthers Playoff Chances

After failing to make the postseason in 2024, the Panthers are looking to make the playoffs for the first time since 2017. They’ve made significant improvements through free agency and the draft, hoping those upgrades give them the edge they need to become playoff contenders.

Carolina Panthers Playoff Chances: Key Updates September 2025

A team's playoff odds fluctuate throughout the year with free agency, draft additions, and injury news. During the season, this section will update you on the most important Panthers updates.

  • 📅 September 7: The Panthers lose to the Jaguars, 26-10.
  • 📅 September 1: Carolina signs WR Hunter Renfrow.
  • 📅 August 28: The Panthers trade WR Adam Thielen, a conditional 2026 seventh-rounder, and a 2027 fifth-rounder to the Vikings in exchange for Minnesota's 2026 fifth-rounder and a 2027 fourth-rounder.
  • 📅 August 27: LB Krys Barnes signs with Carolina.
  • 📅 August 22: The Panthers sign Taylor Moton to a two-year contract extension. 
  • 📅 August 21: Carolina activates TE Tommy Tremble from the active/physically unable to perform list.
  • 📅 July 28: The Panthers activate DT Bobby Brown III and P Sam Martin from the active/non-football injury list.
  • 📅 July 22: Carolina releases LB Josey Jewell and signs TE Tyler Mabry.
  • 📅 May 13:  RB Trevor Etienne signs a rookie contract with the Panthers.
  • 📅 May 08: The Panthers places RB Jonathon Brooks on the Physically Unable to Perform list.
  • 📅 April 24: Carolina drafts WR Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona) in the first round of the 2025 draft.
  • 📅 March 26: C Cade Mays re-signs with Carolina.
  • 📅 March 24: The Panthers re-sign WR David Moore and DB Nick Scott.
  • 📅 March 12: Carolina re-signs TE Tommy Tremble, OT Brady Christensen, C Austin Corbett, CB Michael Jackson, and CB Jaycee Horn.
  • 📅 March 12: The Panthers sign DT Tershawn Wharton, S Tre'von Moehrig, and RB Rico Dowdle. 
  • 📅 February 18: QB Andy Dalton signs a two-year deal with Carolina.
  • 📅 September 15, 2024: Andy Dalton is the new starting QB after Bryce Young was benched by Dave Canales. 

Be sure to check back often as we continue to update this list with relevant news affecting the Panthers.

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Carolina Panthers Schedule & Betting Lines

The Panthers start their 2025 season with two straight road games, Week 1 in Jacksonville against the Jags, then Week 2 in Arizona against the Cards. Midway through the season, they’ll have back-to-back divisional games in Weeks 10 and 11, followed by a late-season bye in Week 14.

Panthers ScheduleLineResult
Week 1 at Jacksonville JaguarsCAR +3.5, ML +164L 26-10
Week 2 at Arizona CardinalsCAR +6.5, ML +235TBD
Week 3 vs. Atlanta FalconsCAR -1.5, ML -125TBD
Week 4 at New England PatriotsCAR +3.5, ML +154TBD
Week 5 vs. Miami DolphinsCAR +1.5, ML +105TBD
Week 6 vs. Dallas CowboysCAR +1.5, ML +105TBD
Week 7 at New York JetsCAR +1.5, ML +105TBD
Week 8 vs. Buffalo BillsCAR +7, ML +250TBD
Week 9 at Green Bay PackersCAR +7.5, ML +270TBD
Week 10 vs. New Orleans SaintsCAR -4.5, ML -192TBD
Week 11 at Atlanta FalconsCAR +3, ML +130TBD
Week 12 at San Francisco 49ersCAR +7, ML +240TBD
Week 13 vs. Los Angeles RamsCAR +3.5, ML +145TBD
Week 14 BYE--
Week 15 at New Orleans SaintsCAR -1.5, ML -122TBD
Week 16 vs. Tampa Bay BuccaneersCAR +3.5, ML +145TBD
Week 17 vs. Seattle SeahawksCAR +1.5, ML +100TBD
Week 18 at Tampa Bay BuccaneersCAR +7, ML +240TBD

Key Contributors Toward Panthers Playoff Chances

The Panthers' playoff chances improving will likely depend on Bryce Young's continued growth, but with veteran quarterback Andy Dalton back, some of the pressure on Young is eased. Carolina has also added more weapons on offense, retaining key players like WR David Moore and TE Tommy Tremble, while signing WR Hunter Renfrow and RB Rico Dowdle. The draft further helped build around Young, with first-round pick Tetairoa McMillan from Arizona and fifth-round tight end Mitchell Evans joining the roster.

Defensively, Carolina is expected to make significant strides after allowing over 3,000 rushing yards in 2024, the first team to do so since 1980. The Panthers bolstered their front line with notable signings like DT Teshawn Wharton from the Chiefs and DT Bobby Brown III from the Rams. Other additions who are expected to strengthen the defense include S Tre'von Moehrig, LB Pat Jones II, and rookie DT Cam Jackson.

🔥 MORE: Bryce Young Odds

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Looking Ahead: Panthers Playoff Picture

The Panthers’ playoff chances hinge on their quarterback and supporting cast. With a solid offensive line, they added key weapons this offseason, including RB Rico Dowdle, WR Hunter Renfrow, and rookie WR Tetairoa McMillan to boost their offense. Defensively, Carolina strengthened the line with Tershawn Wharton and Christian Rozeboom and added secondary depth by signing safety Tre'von Moehrig and drafting DT Cam Jackson.

Are the Panthers Out of the Playoff Picture?

At this point in the season, every team is in the running for the playoffs, including Carolina. The Panthers have an 86.7% chance of missing the playoffs, based on -650 odds at DraftKings. The Panthers have not been to the playoffs since 2017.

Panthers Playoff Picture vs. NFC South

The Panthers tied with the Saints to finish last place in the NFC South with a 5-12 record.

Here is what the standings look like after Week 1:

  1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1-0
  2. Carolina Panthers 0-1
  3. Atlanta Falcons 0-1
  4. New Orleans Saints 0-1

We’ll continue to update this section with the Panthers’ position in the division.

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Panthers Playoff Picture vs. NFC Standings

The Panthers finished with one of the worst records in the NFC at 5–12. They’re projected to finish near the bottom again in 2025, with just a 1.2% chance to win the conference. The Eagles are the favorites at +360 odds. However, as the season gets rolling, these odds will fluctuate significantly, and as we get deeper into the season, the numbers could look very different based on how teams perform.

Panthers Playoff Picture Outlook & Predictions for 2025

The Carolina Panthers are still in the early stages of their rebuild and will need time to see if their upgrades pay off on both sides of the ball. They spent the offseason making significant changes, aiming to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2017. As the season develops, we’ll have a clearer picture of the team’s lineup and how it could affect their playoff chances,

🔥 MORE: Panthers Injury Report

Who to Root for if You're a Carolina Panthers Fan

Aside from rooting for the Panthers, Carolina fans should cheer for any team that takes on the Falcons, Saints, or Buccaneers, which are divisional rivals who stand in the way of Carolina’s playoff chances.

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Carolina Panthers Playoff Chances FAQs

Author

Calli Varner

Calli is lifelong resident of Arizona and has been an avid sports fan since she can remember. After earning her Bachelor’s degrees from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University, she combined her passion for journalism and sports. Calli has covered the NFL, NBA, MLB, NCAAF, college sports, and sports betting for several media outlets.

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