Panthers Playoff Chances Week 12: Tracking the Panthers Playoff Picture after Frank Reich Fired

Fact Checked by Shannon Lane
Panthers Playoff Chances

Key Takeaways:

  • πŸ“‰ The Panthers playoff chances are 3.8% following Frank Reich's firing.
  • πŸ“‰ The Panthers have a 0.1% chance to win the division, per FanDuel.
  • πŸ“‰ They remain in last place in the NFC South behind the odds-on favorite Atlanta Falcons.

The Carolina Panthers stumbled into Week 12 after a one-sided loss to the Dallas Cowboys. After continually improving throughout the season, Bryce Young has slumped, no matter the play caller.

Young will presumably have this third play caller of this season, now that head coach Frank Reich has been fired. The news came after the Panthers' Week 12 loss to the Tennessee Titans, which dropped them to 1-10 on the season.

What are the Panthers Playoff Chances?

The Panthers playoff chances are 3.8%, according to DraftKings Sportsbook Carolina. This ranks last among teams in the NFC South.

🏈 Panthers Playoff Chances3.8% Chance
🏈 Panthers Miss Playoffs96.2% Chance
⬇️ Panthers Win Super Bowl0.1% Chance
⬇️ Panthers Win NFC0.1% Chance
⬇️ Panthers Win NFC South0.1% Chance
🏈 NYT Playoff Simulator<1% Chance
⬇️ ESPN Football Power Index0.0% Chance
βœ… Last Verified:November 29, 2023

We calculated the Panthers playoff chances using the concept of implied probability. Implied probability allows us to calculate the likelihood of a given outcome based on the odds at the sportsbook.

The Panthers odds to make the playoffs are at +2500, which translates to a 3.8% chance that they'll make the postseason. After the Week 12 results, the Panthers Super Bowl odds are also still very long at +100000 (0.1% chance to win).

Outside of odds to make the playoffs, there are several tools available for bettors to reference when calculating the Panthers playoff chances. The New York Times Postseason Simulator just became available and has the Panthers playoff chances at <1%.

Bettors can also reference ESPN's Football Power Index Projections, which assigns a probability to each team of making the playoffs. According to the ESPN FPI Projections, the Panthers have a 0.0% chance of making the playoffs.

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

Yes, the Panthers technically have a chance to make the playoffs. No teams have been officially eliminated from the playoff picture. With the Panthers sitting at 1-10, however, they could be among the first teams to be mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.

Carolina Panthers Week-by-Week Playoff Chances

Going into this week, the Carolina Panthers playoff chances are at 3.8%, based on the implied probability of their +2500 odds to make the playoffs on DraftKings Sportsbook.

⭐️ Week 132.8%
⭐️ Week 221.3%
⭐️ Week 312.5%
⭐️ Week 47.1%
⭐️ Week 55.9%
⭐️ Week 65.9%
⭐️ Week 73.8%
⭐️ Week 83.8%
⭐️ Week 93.8%
⭐️ Week 103.8%
⭐️ Week 113.8%
⭐️ Week 123.8%
βœ… Data Last Verified by ExpertNovember 29, 2023

Bookmark this page and check back throughout the season, where we'll continue to update the Panthers week-by-week playoff chances through the rest of the offseason and after each game.

Carolina Panthers Playoff Chances: Key Offseason Updates November 2023

The Carolina Panthers playoff chances have been strongly affected by 2023-24 NFL season transactions. Here are some of the biggest headlines:

  • πŸ“† Nov. 27: The Panthers fire head coach Frank Reich after a 1-10 record through Week 12.
  • πŸ“† Nov. 22: Safety Jeremy Chinn is designated to return from injured reserve, giving the Panthers 21 days to activate him. Cornerback Decaprio Bootle and offensive guard Austin Corbett are placed on injured reserve.
  • πŸ“† Nov. 18: Tight end Ian Thomas is activated and taken off injured reserve.
  • πŸ“† Nov. 15: Head coach Frank Reich relieves offensive coordinator Thomas Brown from playcalling duties and assumes them himself.
  • πŸ“† Nov. 14: The Panthers sign offensive tackle David Sharpe and linebacker Tae Davis, and cut starting offensive guard Calvin Throckmorton.
  • πŸ“† Nov. 13: Cornerback Jaycee Horn is designated to return from injured reserve. Safety Matthias Farley and tight end Jordan Matthews are released.
  • πŸ“† Nov. 9: Edge rusher Marquis Haynes is activated for the Thursday Night Football game against the Chicago Bears.
  • πŸ“† Nov. 7: Linebacker and special teams player Chandler Wooten is placed on injured reserve, and linebacker Blake Martinez is signed to the practice squad.
  • πŸ“† Nov. 4: Starting EDGE rusher Justin Houston is placed on injured reserve.
  • πŸ“† Nov. 3: Cornerback David Long is claimed off waivers.
  • πŸ“† Oct. 20: At BetMGM, only 4% of the wagering handle and just 16% of the betting tickets are on the Panthers to hit the Over on their projected win total this season.
  • πŸ“† Oct. 16: The Panthers announce that offensive coordinator Thomas Brown will be calling the offensive plays from this point forward, relieving head coach Frank Reich of the duties.
  • πŸ“† Sept. 27: Trade rumors begin to swirl around LB Brian Burns as the trade deadline looms on Oct. 31.
  • πŸ“† Sept. 19: Panthers place team captain and starting LB Shaq Thompson on IR after he had surgery on his broken fibula, effectively ending his season.
  • πŸ“† April 27: The Panthers select Alabama QB Bryce Young with the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
  • πŸ“† March 10: The Panthers traded the No. 9 and No. 61 picks in the 2023 NFL Draft, as well as a 2024 first-round pick, 2025 second-round pick, and WR D.J. Moore to the Chicago Bears in exchange for the first overall pick.

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

Carolina Panthers Schedule and Betting Lines

πŸ“… Week 1❌ Final: CAR 10, ATL 24
πŸ“… Week 2❌ Final: NO 20, CAR 17
πŸ“… Week 3❌ Final: CAR 27, SEA 37
πŸ“… Week 4❌ Final: CAR 13, MIN 21
πŸ“… Week 5❌ Final: CAR 24, DET 42
πŸ“… Week 6 @ MIA❌ Final: CAR 21, MIA 42
πŸ“… Week 7: BYE🏈 N/A
πŸ“… Week 8βœ… HOU 13, CAR 15
πŸ“… Week 9❌ IND 27, CAR 13
πŸ“… Week 10❌ CAR 13, CHI 16
πŸ“… Week 11❌ DAL 33, CAR 10
πŸ“… Week 12❌ CAR 10, TEN 17
πŸ“… Week 13 @ TB🏈 CAR +6, ML +200
πŸ“… Week 14 @ NO🏈 TBD
πŸ“… Week 15 vs. ATL🏈 TBD
πŸ“… Week 16 vs. GB (Christmas Eve)🏈 TBD
πŸ“… Week 17 vs. JAX (New Year's Eve)🏈 TBD
πŸ“… Week 18 @ TB🏈 TBD
βœ… Data Verified by ExpertNovember 29, 2023

The Carolina Panthers came off a devastating loss in Week 11 and began a three-game road trip starting with the Tennessee Titans. ESPN BET North Carolina has the Panthers as 6-point underdogs to the Bucs this week.

The Panthers' slim chances to make the playoffs hinge upon winning the NFC South division title. Ultimately, their remaining four games against NFC South opponents will be the most important they play throughout the season. This may be the case for all NFL teams, but especially so for a young, rebuilding 1-10 team.

Key Contributors Toward Panthers Playoff Chances

The latest Bryce Young odds (+20000) to win Offensive Rookie of the Year recently dropped from 9th in his class to 13th.

One of the silver linings of this season has been the emergence of WR Adam Thielen as Young's safety valve. For the season, he has totaled 76 receptions for 726 yards and 4 touchdowns. He has been invaluable to the Panthers offense, no matter who the quarterback has been.

πŸ”₯ MORE: Bryce Young Passing TD Odds

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

You can bet on the Carolina Panthers to make the playoffs with most major sportsbooks within the U.S., including FanDuel, DraftKings, Caesars, and BetMGM, among others. In order to wager, you must be located in a state or jurisdiction where sports betting is legal.

North Carolina has legalized sports betting in limited locations at tribal casinos since March of 2021.

Recent legislation in North Carolina has legalized mobile sports betting and retail sportsbook expansions, likely going live in early 2024.

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

Looking Ahead: Panthers Playoff Picture

The Carolina Panthers' most likely path to the playoffs will be by way of a division title win in the NFC South. With all three other NFC South teams competing and the Panthers at 1-10, that goal looks nearly impossible.

The odds are literally stacked against them, as the Panthers are +2500 to make the playoffs on DraftKings Sportsbook. They rank last in odds in their division to win the division title at FanDuel NC.

The Panthers are about to play their final six games without Frank Reich, who was fired on Nov. 27. Needless to way, the future is looking uncertain for Carolina.

Are the Panthers Out of the Playoff Picture?

No, the Carolina Panthers aren't out of the playoff picture. In fact, all 32 NFL teams currently remain in contention to make the postseason.

Their odds to miss the playoffs are installed at -20000 on DraftKings Sportsbook, implying their chances to actually make the playoffs are at 3.8%.

Panthers Playoff Picture vs. NFC South

The Panthers chances to win the division are 0.1%. Unfortunately, despite additions on offense and defense, there are questions about how quickly these playmakers can start to gel, especially with a rookie quarterback under centerβ€”even one as talented as Bryce Young.

The Atlanta Falcons pulled ahead in the race to win the division title at 50% after their Week 12 win vs. the Saints. The Saints chances to win the NFC South dipped to 40%.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers rank third among NFC South in their chances to win the division title (17.5%) after two straight road games in Weeks 11 and 12.

Panthers Playoff Picture vs. NFC Standings

Compared with other teams within the NFC, the Panthers playoff chances are quite low. In fact, their chances to win the conference are 0.1%, worst in the NFC.

If the season ended today based solely on playoff chances, the Panthers would be on the outside looking in at the NFC playoff picture.

Where Do the Panthers Rank in the NFC Wild Card Playoff Picture?

The Panthers have a 3.8% chance of getting an NFC wild card seed. Based on the Panthers chances to win the NFC, as well as their chances to make the playoffs at 3.8%, this team projects to be out of the NFC wild card race.

Without a NFC South division title, oddsmakers view it as very unlikely that the Panthers would be able to get a wild card spot.

Can the Panthers Get the No. 1 Seed in Playoff Picture?

No, the Carolina Panthers have no chance of getting the No. 1 seed in the 2023 NFL season after the Philadelphia Eagles won their ninth game last week.

The Philadelphia Eagles (34.5%), San Francisco 49ers (33.3%), and Dallas Cowboys (20.8%) and are considered the favorites to win the NFC.

Panthers Playoff Picture Outlook & Predictions

The Carolina Panthers have made some extensive changes in personnel, starting first with hiring and then firing head coach Frank Reich within 10 months. But they're still in the early phases of their roster rebuild. The Panthers playoff chances remain quite slim at 3.8% based on the implied probability of their +2500 odds.

Generally, though, Panthers fans should be hopeful regarding the future of the franchise. To truly contend, this team will need to continue to build on defense and invest much further at wide receiver. Their lack of a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, in addition to the loss of WR DJ Moore, who could have been a key asset in Bryce Young's development, will make the next phase of their rebuild challenging.

πŸ”₯ MORE: Panthers All Time Draft Picks

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

If you're a Carolina Panthers fan, you'll spend most of your season rooting particularly hard against the rest of the teams in the NFC South, including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Atlanta Falcons, and New Orleans Saints. Their best chance to earn a spot in the playoff picture is to win the NFC South division title, so accumulating wins against their rivals will be of utmost importance. Should they fail to win the division, winning one of the two wild card spots from all other NFC teams is the only way to make the playoffs.

Carolina Panthers Playoff Chances FAQs

Author

Edgar Salmingo, Jr. is a lifelong Carolina Panthers fan residing in Los Angeles. He has written extensively about the Panthers for major outlets including USA Today SMG and SB Nation. His Panthers analysis has also been featured on radio shows such as WFNZ and FOX Sports Radio, as well as numerous Panthers podcasts. He currently freelances and you can find his work on Twitter/X.

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