2015 NFL Preview: Panthers looking to seize NFC South for 3rd straight year

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Carolina Panthers

Despite sporting a sub-.500 record, the Panthers captured the NFC South last season - in large part due to their opponents' ineptitude. Carolina won its last four games and entered the playoffs on a roll, defeating Arizona 27-16 in the wild-card round. However, the Panthers' luck ran out against the juggernaut Seattle Seahawks, who beat them 31-17.

Although the Panthers' play was erratic for most of the season, they are likely going to build upon their strong finish.

Highlight of 2014

Kelvin Benjamin put the league on notice with his first touchdown, coming down with a spectacular 26-yard reception. His presence will be sorely missed this year after he suffered a season-ending ACL injury.

Preseason Power Ranking - #16

Cam Newton will need to overcome a worrisome offensive line if the Panthers are going to finish first in the NFC South for the third straight season. Hopefully they can do it with a winning record this year. More ...

2015 Season Outlook

Schedule | Roster

Head Coach: Ron Rivera
Off. Coordinator: Mike Shula
Def. Coordinator: Sean McDermott

Carolina may be the most talented team in the division, but its offense took a serious hit when Kelvin Benjamin suffered a season-ending torn ACL in practice. Cam Newton will need to keep defenses at bay with his best performance since his rookie season, an arduous task given he's working with a cavalcade of misfits.

The Panthers boast one of the league's best and most well-rounded defenses, and this unit, along with Newton's heroics, will be relied upon to stay atop the NFC South throne.

Key Additions

• LB Shaq Thompson (first round)
• OT Michael Oher
• CB Charles Tillman
• WR Jarrett Boykin
• WR/KR Ted Ginn Jr.

Key Departures

• DE Greg Hardy
• RB DeAngelo Williams
• C Fernando Velasco
• OT Byron Bell

Carolina developed a contingency plan to replace Greg Hardy, merging Kony Ealy and Wes Horton seamlessly into an excellent pass-rushing group. The Panthers' running back committee won't miss DeAngelo Williams, as the team made a number of minor moves to replace his production. Charles Tillman's experience will be of paramount importance to a young, talented secondary. Although the team made a number of lateral moves, it should be enough to fend off their NFC South competitors.

Bold Predictions

Cam Newton will lose the starting quarterback job because of poor play. Newton had essentially spun himself into a hole before a car crash made his 2014 a complete disaster. The former "next big thing" spent most of the year throwing high to his receivers and hitting Kelvin Benjamin for garbage-time touchdowns. This team is likely to struggle, and it's not beneath Ron Rivera to tap Derek Anderson at some point. - Joe Thomson

Bene Benwikere will make the Pro Bowl. The Panthers' defense desperately needs to have playmakers emerge in the defensive backfield, and Benwikere is the one to keep an eye on. He was a standout performer in coverage after moving into a starting spot at the end of last season, and should only continue his impressive development in 2015. Holding a starting role throughout the year will give him plenty of opportunities to make plays on the ball and thus receive the necessary attention for Pro Bowl consideration. - Daniel Wilkins

Jonathan Stewart will play 16 games. For only the fourth time in his eight-year career, and the first since 2011, Stewart will stay out of the trainer's room and on the field for a full slate of games. Doing so will boost him to the second 1,000-yard rushing campaign of his career. - David P. Woods