Look, being a Panthers fan lately hasn’t exactly been a walk in the park. It’s been more like a walk through a briar patch while wearing flip-flops. But if you’re checking the what is carolina panthers score lately, you might have noticed something weird happening. The vibe in Charlotte has shifted from "here we go again" to "wait, are we actually doing this?"
The 2025-2026 season just wrapped up its most meaningful chapter, and honestly, the numbers tell a story that the final record doesn't quite capture.
The Score That Ended the Dream (For Now)
Let’s get the big one out of the way. The most recent and painful what is carolina panthers score came on Saturday, January 10, 2026. It was the NFC Wild Card round. The Panthers, playing at home in Bank of America Stadium, fell to the Los Angeles Rams with a final score of 31-34.
It was a heartbreaker. One of those games where you’re screaming at the TV because a single drop or a missed assignment feels like the end of the world. Jimmy Horn dropped a fourth-down pass from Bryce Young late in the game that could have set up a tying field goal. Just like that, the season was over. But the fact that they were even in a playoff game—scoring 31 points against a Matthew Stafford-led offense—is a massive leap from where this franchise was a year ago.
How the 2025 Regular Season Shook Out
If you looked at the 8-9 regular-season record in a vacuum, you'd think, "Meh, they're mediocre." But football is never that simple. They actually finished first in the NFC South. Yeah, the division was a bit of a mess with three teams finishing 8-9, but the Panthers held the tiebreakers.
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They started the year looking like the same old Panthers, losing their first two games to Jacksonville and Arizona. Then, something clicked. They shut out the Falcons 30-0 in Week 3, and the momentum started to roll.
Here is a breakdown of the scores that defined their late-season push:
- Week 13 vs Rams: A 31-28 win that proved they could hang with the big dogs.
- Week 16 vs Buccaneers: A gritty 23-20 victory that essentially clinched their postseason hope.
- Week 18 @ Buccaneers: A narrow 14-16 loss that felt like a letdown but didn't stop the playoff train.
By the time the dust settled, the Panthers had scored 311 points on the season. That's only about 18.3 points per game, which was 27th in the league. Their defense, though? They gave up 380. On paper, this team shouldn't have been in the playoffs. But Bryce Young found a way to lead six game-winning drives. That’s the "it" factor people have been waiting for.
The Bryce Young and Tetairoa McMillan Connection
You can't talk about the what is carolina panthers score without mentioning the guys actually putting the points on the board. 2025 was the year Bryce Young finally looked like a number one overall pick. He wasn't just managing games; he was winning them.
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And then there’s Tetairoa McMillan. The Panthers took a huge gamble drafting him in the first round when people thought they needed edge rushers. Well, he turned into the Rookie of the Year. Having a massive target who can actually catch the ball in traffic changed everything for Young. They also saw Jalen Coker emerge as a legit second option. For the first time in forever, the Panthers' offense doesn't feel like a one-trick pony.
The Defensive Dilemma
While the scores were often in Carolina's favor late in games, the defense was a rollercoaster. Defensive Coordinator Ejiro Evero is staying on for 2026, which is good for stability, but man, they had some rough Sundays.
The Buffalo Bills game in Week 8 was a disaster—a 9-40 blowout that made fans want to hide under their porches. They struggled with a zone scheme that left the middle of the field wide open. If they want the what is carolina panthers score to look better next year, they have to fix the pass rush. Jaycee Horn finally stayed healthy for 15 games, which was a miracle in itself, but he can't cover everyone at once.
What This Means for the 2026 Draft
Because they made the playoffs, the Panthers aren't picking at the top of the draft for once. They are slotted at No. 19 overall for the 2026 NFL Draft.
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General Manager Dan Morgan has already been vocal about the plan. They've committed to picking up Bryce Young’s fifth-year option, keeping him through 2027. The focus now shifts almost entirely to the defense. They need an All-Pro caliber edge rusher and probably some help at linebacker.
Why the Scores Matter Moving Forward
The 2025 season wasn't just about the wins and losses. It was about "believing," as head coach Dave Canales put it. They went from a team that expected to lose to a team that expected to win in the fourth quarter.
If you're tracking the Panthers, the most important thing to watch this offseason is the health of the offensive line. Ikem Ekwonu and Robert Hunt both finished the year with injuries. If that line crumbles, the scoreboards will start looking ugly again real fast.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
- Monitor the Injury Reports: Keep a close eye on Ikem Ekwonu’s knee rehab. His status for training camp will dictate how aggressive the Panthers need to be in free agency for tackle depth.
- Watch the 2026 Mock Drafts: Since the Panthers pick at 19, look for them to target defensive ends or a high-end safety to complement Jaycee Horn.
- Check Free Agency Rumors: The team is predicted to go after an All-Pro edge rusher. If they land a big name, expect those "Points Against" numbers to drop significantly next season.
- Vote for McMillan: If you’re a fan, go vote for Tetairoa McMillan for the Pepsi Rookie of the Year award; the fan vote is currently open and he's a finalist.
The era of 2-15 is over. Even if the scores aren't always perfect, the Panthers have finally built a floor that isn't made of quicksand.