Carolina Panthers: 3 Vital statistics for 2019 season

After a great start this past season, it all came apart for Ron Rivera’s club. So what can the Carolina Panthers do to rebound in a big way in 2019?

Following an 11-5 season and a playoff appearance in 2017, the Carolina Panthers got off to a rousing start this past year. Ron Rivera’s club won six of its first eight games. Led by quarterback Cam Newton and running back Christian McCaffrey, the team’s offense was humming and the defense was doing just enough.

But then the wheels came off in a big way on a Thursday night at Pittsburgh. Not only did the Panthers suffer a humbling loss, Newton suffered a shoulder injury that affected his play until he was shut down late in the year. Carolina would lose seven consecutive games before knocking off the Saints in a game in which Sean Payton’s rested many of his starters for the playoffs.

It’s been an offseason where a number of familiar faces left for different reasons. After two separate stints with the franchise, defensive end Julius Peppers opted for retirement after 17 NFL seasons. So did center Ryan Kalil, who recently had a change of heart and signed with the New York Jets. Veteran outside linebacker Thomas Davis is now a member of the Los Angeles Chargers.

So the Panthers look to rebound from a very disappointing 2018. Can they bounce back after last year’s second-half collapse? Has the organization done enough this offseason to get the club back on the winning track?

Here are some numbers that bear a closer look when it comes to Rivera’s squad.