NFL Win Totals: Are There Reasons to Be Bullish About the Panthers?

The Carolina Panthers ended the 2022 season with a 7-10 record, finishing second in the NFC South and 11th in the NFC.

Their win total for 2023 is set at 7.5, per the NFL win totals at FanDuel Sportsbook.

After selecting quarterback Bryce Young with the first overall pick in this year's NFL draft, Carolina is looking to start a new era and contend for the NFC South.

Will the Panthers surpass their listed win total in 2023?

All NFL odds via FanDuel Sportsbook.

Carolina Panthers 2023 Outlook

Projected Win Total: 7.5

• Over: -114
• Under: -106

Odds to Make the Playoffs: +168
Odds to Win the NFC South: +330
Odds to Win the NFC: +3000
Odds to Win the Super Bowl: +6000

Key Offseason Coaching Changes:

• Head Coach: Frank Reich in for Matt Rhule
• Offensive Coordinator: Thomas Brown in for Ben McAdoo
• Defensive Coordinator: Ejiro Evero in for Phil Snow

Why Carolina Could Win Over 7.5 Games

• Bryce Young Excels
• Veteran Playmakers Deliver
• The NFC South Underwhelms
• A Favorable Schedule

The Panthers will enter the 2023 season with new faces at nearly every key position, including head coach, offensive and defensive coordinator, and quarterback. Together, they will all have a large impact on Carolina's results this season, but everything starts with Bryce Young.

The Panthers traded up to select Young with the first overall pick in this year's draft with the hope that he could provide them with stability and production at signal caller - two traits they haven't had since Cam Newton's prime. The Panthers' outlook this season starts and ends with Young. If he delivers, the Panthers could not only win at least eight games but also challenge for a division title in an uncertain NFC South.

To support Young on offense, the Panthers made several acquisitions in free agency, most notably running back Miles Sanders, tight end Hayden Hurst, and wide receivers Adam Thielen and D.J. Chark. Together, these four will be on the receiving end of the majority of Young's pass attempts this season. They bring a wealth of experience to Carolina's offense and have all had productive stretches in the past. If they remain healthy and avoid a drop-off in their levels of play, they will provide Young with the help he needs to guide Carolina to at least eight wins.

How the NFC South performs this year will also have a large impact on the Panthers' win total.

The New Orleans Saints are the favorites (+135) but will need Derek Carr to make an immediate impact. If Carr starts slowly and his issues with interceptions (14 in each of his last two seasons) follow him to New Orleans, the Saints' outlook dims.

The Atlanta Falcons have reason for optimism with their explosive young playmakers on offense, but they need Desmond Ridder to be ready. If he isn't, Atlanta could struggle.

Finally, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers also have uncertainty at quarterback with Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask. If these three teams are hampered by poor quarterback play this season, it makes the Panthers' path to eight wins much easier.

Thanks in part to the NFC South, the Panthers have the sixth-easiest schedule via win totals this season. After a difficult six-week stretch to start the season, the Panthers have their bye in Week 7. From that point on, they only face one team, the Dallas Cowboys, ranked inside the top nine in championship odds, according to the Super Bowl odds at FanDuel Sportsbook. The Panthers having an easier schedule in the second half of the season is beneficial as Young adjusts to life in the NFL.

Why Carolina Could Win Under 7.5 Games

• Bryce Young Starts Slow
• Offseason Signings Fail to Make an Impact
• The NFC South Surprises

The flip side to the Panthers ending the season with an easier stretch of opponents is having to start their season with a difficult stretch.

After opening their season on the road against the Falcons, the Panthers will host the Saints on Monday Night Football. Over the next four weeks, they face the Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions, and Miami Dolphins, with three of those contests coming on the road.

Even if Young has a decent start to his career, there is a realistic scenario where Carolina is 1-5 or 0-6 heading into their bye in Week 7. If Young starts slow, those scenarios become even more likely.

That kind of a start can increase the pressure on Young heading into the second half of the season and potentially make capitalizing on that part of the schedule more difficult. Assuming a 2-4 start, the Panthers would need to win more than half of their 11 post-bye games to reach eight wins, with one of those games coming against the Cowboys. It's a tough task to say the least.

The Panthers' lack of chemistry on offense adds to their likelihood of a slow start. Their offense being comprised primarily of offseason signings means their group will have no in-game experience together entering Week 1. It may take some time for them to gain chemistry and reach their potential as a unit, but the longer that takes, the more likely it is that the Panthers enter their bye on the brink of a lost season.

There is also the possibility that the Panthers' offseason signings don't reach the levels they have demonstrated in the past.

Thielen hasn't had a 1,000-yard season since 2018. He could see more targets this year with Justin Jefferson out of the picture, but that will come with increased attention from opposing defenses. Chark has played more than 13 games just once in his career (2019) and appeared in just 15 games over his last two seasons combined. If either of these two struggle with injuries, the Panthers will have to turn to Terrace Marshall Jr. or rookie second-round draft pick Jonathan Mingo.

Sanders is coming off the most productive season of his four-year career, but that came behind the Philadelphia Eagles offensive line, which ranked third in run blocking last season, according to Pro Football Focus. The Panthers' offensive line ranked 22nd. Sanders will likely find it difficult to repeat his production from last year.

Finally, there is a chance that the NFC South could surprise. While there are realistic downside scenarios for the Saints, Falcons, and Buccaneers, there are upside scenarios, as well.

The Saints finally have stability at quarterback, and that could lead to a productive offense if their playmakers can stay healthy. Their defense allowed the ninth-fewest points (345) in the NFL last season.

The Falcons just drafted a generational prospect at running back in Bijan Robinson, a position they utilize heavily in a run-first offense. If Ridder provides league-average play under center, their offense could be dangerous.

It's more difficult to imagine a positive scenario for the Buccaneers, but outside of quarterback, their roster has plenty of talent and experience. If Mayfield or Trask has a decent season, they could give the Panthers two difficult games and make their path to eight wins a little bit more difficult.

The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author’s advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.