Carolina Panthers: Are They The Worst Undefeated Team?

Some say the Carolina Panthers are the worst 12-0 team ever, but that claim becomes less valid with each passing win.

The Carolina Panthers are in an interesting position as the only undefeated team remaining in the National Football League. Throughout this run they’ve had a number of scares and moments in which the fans, media and maybe even the players questioned whether or not this run was going to come to an end.

However, they continue to find a way to win and pushed their record to 12-0. The commentary around their run often doesn’t speak about how great this team is performing. Instead, the conversation focuses on whether or not they are the worst undefeated team in history. It’s a crazy question, but one worth further review.

Also on Spin Zone: Week 14: NFL Power Rankings

While much of this conversation is based in opinion, there is one aspect that is clearly a fact: this is the best start for the Carolina organization. Their last loss came in October in 2014. From that point they went on a run that put them in the post season last year, and allowed them to be the first team to clinch a playoff spot this year. Their win on Sunday gave them their third straight NFC South crown.

More from Carolina Panthers

Still, there are those in the sports world that are not only shocked with how this team is performing, but question whether or not they are “good” or on the beneficial side of factors outside their consideration. Diving deeper into this conversation reveals some interesting stat trends that are both in favor and against the way the Panthers are performing at this point in the year.

For the first time in team history, the Panthers can be considered an offensive force. They are putting up 31.1 points per game, which is near the top of the entire league. They are outscoring teams by 10.8 points per outing. That is an important number because it reveals how close these games truly are. Five games have been decided by less than one possession and this team’s has needed to rely on last minute drives to keep their streak in-tact.

Dec 6, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera looks on from the sidelines against the New Orleans Saints during the second half of a game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Panthers won 41-38. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Compare that position to the fact that only two other teams that have reached this point with at least 11 straight wins did so while having a scoring margin that is less than this Panthers team. The 2009 Colts and 1969 Rams played closer games than the Panthers. Does that make them the worst team to reach the 12-0 point? The answer doesn’t matter as the team continues to get what matters the most; the victory.

Another interesting point of contention is the strength of the teams that the Panthers are playing. At this point in time they have defeated only two teams with winning records; Green Bay Packers (8-4) and the Seattle Seahawks (7-5). Every other team in this streak has a record of .500 of below. To fans and analysts alike, that speaks volumes when the Panthers struggle against teams that haven’t played well all year. It’s widely understood that each game is another opportunity to lose, but when given such a favorable schedule, which plays a part into how well Carolina is performing during the 2015-2015 campaign.

Next: Week 13: Is Cam Newton The MVP Leader?

The question of whether or not this Panthers team is the “worse” to reach this point will continue to be thrown around by fans and sports experts alike. Whatever the final consensus is, the fact remains that this group is 12-0 and is in the conversation as a potential Super Bowl candidate. With four games left the pressure is mounting, but Cam Newton and the gang continue to respond with success.

Home/Carolina Panthers