Each NFL team’s record prediction for the 2019 season

Carolina Panthers: 6-10

What on earth happened to the Carolina Panthers last season?

Thanks to an impressive 6-2 start, the Panthers appeared to be at least a lock for a Wild Card spot in the NFC playoff picture before it all fell apart during the final two months.

Even more frustrating, Carolina was keeping things close with the New Orleans Saints in the race for the NFC South title. It’s tough to earn a trip to the playoffs when a team only wins once during its final eight games, especially when it comes during a meaningless Week 17.

While Cam Newton’s health will continue to be a major factor in how successful the Panthers are in 2019, at least the offense is fortunate enough to have one of the hottest running backs on the rise in Christian McCaffrey.

After a decent rookie campaign in 2017, McCaffrey took things to a whole new level in 2018 by recording 1,965 yards from scrimmage to go along with 13 touchdowns, making plenty of fantasy football owners quite happy.

Assuming McCaffrey continues to put in the work this offseason, Carolina’s offense should cause plenty of problems for opponents in 2019, but whether they have what it takes to make the playoffs is a different story.

Playing in the NFC South with other playoff-caliber teams in the Saints and Atlanta Falcons was already going to be a challenge for the Panthers.

But add tough games outside the division into the mix such as opponents like the Los Angeles Rams and the Indianapolis Colts, the Panthers could be in for another season that results in the team coming up short of the playoffs for a second year in a row.