Carolina Panthers predicted to miss out on NFL playoffs again in 2025

The Carolina Panthers weren't particularly close to making the playoffs this season. They finished a few games back of the division and were never really part of the Wild Card race. A 1-7 start essentially eliminated them from the conversation.

However, a 4-5 finish despite the historically bad defense has some optimism in the air in Charlotte. Bryce Young's development does, too. Many around the NFL believe the Panthers are poised to make a leap into the playoff picture soon. According to Erik Beaston of Bleacher Report, though, that won't be in 2025.

Panthers predicted to miss the 2025 playoffs

In Bleacher Report's prediction, the NFC wild cards were the Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, and Los Angeles Rams. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers once again won the NFC South, which kept the Panthers out of the playoffs.

It's a little shocking to see the defending champions not even winning their division in 2025, but that shows how strong the NFC figures to be next year. Unfortunately, that's bad news for the Carolina Panthers in their pursuit of the postseason, somewhere they haven't been since 2018.

The Panthers have some ground to make up to catch those teams. They did play the Buccaneers close in one game and the Eagles would've lost to the Panthers if not for a crucial touchdown drop late in the game.