NFL Carolina Panthers

5 Reasons Why the Carolina Panthers Don’t Belong In the 2015 NFL Playoffs

5 Reasons Why the Carolina Panthers Don't Belong in the 2015 NFL Playoffs

Cam Newton Carolina Panthers
Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

The Carolina Panthers earned a spot in the playoffs despite a 7-8-1 record. Luckily for Carolina, they play in the worst division in the NFL, but they do not belong in the playoffs.

5. Losing Record

Ron Rivera Carolina Panthers
Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

5. Losing Record

Ron Rivera Carolina Panthers
Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

The Carolina Panthers became only the second team to make the playoffs after finishing a full regular season with a losing record. The only other team to accomplish such a feat was the 2010 Seattle Seahawks, who upset the defending Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints in the Wild Card round. The Panthers finished the season 7-8-1, a record undeserving of a playoff berth.

4. Philadelphia Eagles

Nick Foles Philadelphia Eagles
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

4. Philadelphia Eagles

Nick Foles Philadelphia Eagles
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The Eagles were one of the best teams in the NFL prior to Nick Foles breaking his collarbone. Despite having to rely on Mark Sanchez, Philly finished the season 10-6 and would be a much more exciting team to watch in the playoffs. In addition, the Eagles destroyed the Panthers in Week 10 by a score of 45-21.

3. 6 Game Losing Streak

Carolina Panthers Roman Harper
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

3. 6 Game Losing Streak

Carolina Panthers Roman Harper
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The Panthers went on a six-game skid in the heart of the season, dragging their record down to 3-8-1 going into Week 14. Notable losses came to lousy teams like the New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings. That means three out of five games that the Panthers lost consecutively were to teams that finished the season below .500.

2. Mediocre Win Streak

Carolina Panthers Huddle
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

2. Mediocre Win Streak

Carolina Panthers Huddle
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

The Panthers finished the season on a four-game win streak. However, the four wins came against opponents with a combined 22-42 record. Prior to their win streak, Carolina only won three games in the first three months of the season.

1. Pure Luck

Jonathan Stewart Carolina Panthers
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

1. Pure Luck

Jonathan Stewart Carolina Panthers
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The Panthers are lucky that the entire NFC South had a miserable season. They are the best of the worst, and nothing more. The only notable win that Carolina had during the regular season was in Week 2 against the Detroit Lions. The remaining six wins were all against teams with losing records.

Dan Marmaduke is a Chicago Cubs, NFL, and NBA Blogger for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @MarmadukeSports and add him to your network on Google 

Share Tweet