Niner Noise
FanSided

Ranking the NFL’s 5 most disappointing teams of 2019

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 21: Head coach Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams looks on during warm ups before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Levi's Stadium on December 21, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 21: Head coach Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams looks on during warm ups before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Levi's Stadium on December 21, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
Kyle Allen, Panthers
Kyle Allen #7 of the Carolina Panthers (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /

87. . 5-10 record. . Carolina Panthers. 4. team

The 49ers completely demoralized and ruined the Carolina Panthers’ 2019 campaign way back in Week 8.

Granted, the Panthers were dealing what would eventually turn into a season-ending foot injury for quarterback Cam Newton. But that was offset by the fabulous play from running back Christian McCaffrey, who was working his way towards becoming a legitimate NFL MVP candidate for the year. Meanwhile, fill-in quarterback Kyle Allen was looking like a solid replacement for Newton, too.

And when Carolina took off for Santa Clara in Week 8, it was riding a 4-2 record and was coming off four straight wins.

The Niners then pummeled the Panthers by a whopping score of 51-13.

Carolina has won just a single game since and has lost seven in a row, likely to turn into an eight-game losing streak in Week 17 against the NFL playoff-bound New Orleans Saints. Amid that stretch, head coach Ron Rivera was fired and there are reports the team is planning to move on from Newton, too, even against a large portion of the fanbase’s hopes otherwise.

Earlier in the offseason, many would have easily looked at the Panthers as a serious contender in the NFC South, perhaps the only team legitimately able to compete with the Saints for a division crown.

No matter how Week 17 shakes down, the Panthers will finish dead last instead.