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Carolina Panthers: The Super Bowl Hangover Is No Joke

By Erik Lambert

Oct 10, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera argues a call in the fourth quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium. The Buccaneers won 17-14. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera argues a call in the fourth quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium. The Buccaneers won 17-14. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Carolina Panthers had every reason to shrug off the idea that they might suffer from a Super Bowl hangover. Just based on the stats alone.

They were 15-1 last season, best in the NFL. Their offense is among the most explosive and dangerous in the league and they boast arguably the best linebacking corps in football on defense. To top it off they were getting wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin back from injury. They had every reason to feel confident they could get back to the Super Bowl, and win it this time.

However, things went wrong for them from the beginning. It began when GM Dave Gettleman made the questionable decision to release All-Pro cornerback Josh Norman. His absence has been noticeable more and more each week. Combined with the injury to Cam Newton and the depletion of their pass rush, it has dropped this once formidable team to 1-4.

This inevitably has given rise to the belief that the Super Bowl hangover curse has indeed taken hold of the Panthers. In fact just over the past 10 years, the results pretty much speak for themselves.

  • 2015 Seattle Seahawks:  12-4 to 10-6 (failed to reach SB)
  • 2014 Denver Broncos:  13-3 to 12-4 (failed to reach SB)
  • 2013 San Francisco 49ers:  11-4-1 to 12-4 (failed to reach SB)
  • 2012 New England Patriots:  13-3 to 12-4 (failed to reach SB)
  • 2011 Pittsburgh Steelers:  12-4 to 12-4 (failed to reach SB)
  • 2010 Indianapolis Colts:  14-2 to 10-6 (failed to reach SB)
  • 2009 Arizona Cardinals:  9-7 to 10-6 (failed to reach SB)
  • 2008 New England Patriots:  16-0 to 11-5 (failed to reach SB)
  • 2007 Chicago Bears:  13-3 to 7-9 (failed to reach SB)
  • 2006 Seattle Seahawks:  13-3 to 9-7 (failed to reach SB)

Though some teams have managed better records than the years they made an appearance, the same ending is true for all. No team that has lost the Super Bowl in the past 10 years went back the next season. In fact no Super Bowl loser has made it back the next year since the Buffalo Bills in 1993 and no team has made it back after a loss and won since the Miami Dolphins in 1971. Suffice to say the Panthers face a monumental uphill battle to prove their doubter wrong. Odds are that’s not happening.

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