NFL 2025: Carolina Panthers Over/Under For Wins

• For the 2025 season, NFL oddsmakers have the Carolina Panthers over-under wins at 6.5
• Reaching seven wins would be another step forward after going 5-12 in 2024 and 2-15 in 2023
• Quarterback Bryce Young had a solid second half after regaining his starting job
• The Panthers had an aggressive offseason signing young free agents with upside

The Panthers’ 2024 Improvement Was Intangible

While Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells was a sage philosopher whose poignant comments should be taken very seriously, does his “you are what your record says you are” hard line statement always apply?

Or are there times when a team can have a poor record, but still show as much progress as they would if they came out on top in three or four more games?

This is the question to ask about the 2025 Panthers.

Bryce Young was benched early in the season with the “bust” label growing heavier and heavier around his neck. But he returned to the starting role at midseason and began to show the same promise that made him the number one overall pick in the 2023 draft.

The team was 4-8 in games he started. He threw 15 TD passes and was intercepted 9 times. Young completed just under 61 percent of his passes and dramatically cut down on the number of sacks he took from the previous season, when he led the league in yards lost when sacked.

Young saved the best for last when, in the final game of the season in Atlanta, he and the Panthers knocked the Falcons out of playoff contention with a 44-38 overtime win. He tossed for 251 yards and 3 TDs, accruing a 123.5 passer rating.

While the Panthers played much better in the second half, ruining the Falcons’ playoff chances and severely damaging the Cardinals‘ playoff hopes, they also put a scare into both Super Bowl participants, losing by three points to the Chiefs and six points to the Eagles. However, they still ended the season with a 5-12 record.

So which is it? Are they a 5-12 team or are they the team that did all this damage late in the season with a second-year QB still learning his craft, bringing the team from 1-7 to a sense of respectability?

Carolina Was Cautiously Aggressive in the Offseason

The Panthers did not fall into the trap of trying to run before they could walk. General manager Dan Morgan and head coach Dave Canales instead signed youngish players to reasonable, short-term contracts, giving them a chance they might not have otherwise received in their previous uniforms.

That includes defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton, signed to a three-year contract away from the Chiefs; safety Tre’von Moehrig, signed to a three-year contract after spending his first four seasons with the Raiders; defensive tackle Bobby Brown III, formerly of the Rams, signed a three-year deal; linebacker Patrick Jones II was signed away from the Vikings on a two-year deal; and former Cowboys’ feature back Rico Dowdle signed a one-year contract.

All are in their mid-20s with high upside and are perfect additions for a rising team.

Their Offense Can Be Productive if Young Continues His Rise

With Dowdle in the fold, joining the supremely underrated Chuba Hubbard, the Panthers have a dual-headed rushing/pass-catching threat out of the backfield. They drafted Trevor Etienne out of Georgia in the third round of the draft.

To catch the ball, they drafted All-American Tetairoa McMillan eighth overall out of Arizona. Veteran Adam Thielen returns, as does second-year receiver Xavier Legette.

Of course, Young is the key. For veteran insurance, QB Andy Dalton signed a two-year contract to remain in Carolina.

Their Schedule Is Not Easy

The Panthers have a number of winnable games on their schedule. But several of their opponents are in the same boat as Carolina. That includes visiting the Jaguars, Patriots, and Jets, plus their NFC South division-mate Saints twice.

In the South, they play the Falcons and the Buccaneers twice. They also visit the Packers, Cardinals, and 49ers. At home, they play the Dolphins, Cowboys, Bills, Rams, and Seahawks.

Panthers Over/Under For Wins

When a team shows a marked improvement and their story has a feel-good nature to it, it’s natural to expect an uninterrupted upward progression. That is where the Panthers are.

They are being strategically cautious, but there are more expectations than there were in the past few years. That could be problematic given owner David Tepper’s temper and reactive nature.

Expect a slight stagnation as the Panthers stay below 6.5 wins.