On Monday, Sept. 18, the Carolina Panthers will open their 20th season at Bank of America Stadium against the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football.
In this article, we celebrate the early stages of the 2023 National Football League season by looking at the best performances by opposing players against the Panthers at B of A Stadium.
“The Bank” is almost like a part of the team for fans of the Panthers. It’s one of the last remaining “bowl-like” football stadiums that harkens back to the old days of the NFL. It’s been compared to Soldier Field in Chicago as well as iconic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Since their inception in 1995, the Panthers have been one of the best expansion teams in NFL history. Twice, the team has advanced to the Super Bowl, each time losing to a legendary quarterback (Tom Brady and Peyton Manning).
Sadly North Carolina online sports betting will not launch until at least the middle of the NFL playoffs, so Panthers fans looking to increase their engagement by putting money down on the games will probably have to wait until 2024.
Most rushing yards by opponent at Bank of America Stadium
When you lose, it hurts. But if you lose because a legendary runner has a big day, that doesn’t sting quite as bad.
The most yards ever gained on the ground by a visitor was 202 yards by Marshall Faulk of the St. Louis Rams. That occurred only two days before Christmas, on December 23, 2001, when Faulk became the first (and thus far only) RB to rush for as many as 200 yards in Bank of American Stadium against the Panthers.
Top five rushing performances by opponents
- Marshall Faulk: 202 yards (2001 St. Louis Rams)***
- Julius Jones: 194 yards (2005 Dallas Cowboys)
- Ronald Jones II: 192 yards (2020 Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
- Matt Forte: 166 yards (2010 Bears)
- Curtis Martin: 159 yards (2001 New York Jets)***
*** The 2001 Panthers, who won only one game all year, were clearly inept at stopping the run as we see by Curtis Martin also having a big game on the ground that season in Charlotte.
Multiple 100-yard rushing games at Bank of America Stadium by opponent
Only five opposing running backs have accomplished as many as two 100-yard rushing games at Bank of America Stadium, and all of them did it two times:
- Marshal Faulk
- Garrison Hearst
- Deuce McAllister
- Michael Turner
- Ricky Williams
Most passing yards by an opposing QB at Bank of America Stadium
It’s fitting that a southerner holds the record for most passing yards by a visiting quarterback at Charlotte’s B of A Stadium. On September 27, 1998, Brett Favre did Brett Favre things in Green Bay’s 37-30 victory over the Panthers. That afternoon, Favre threw for 388 yards, which still stands as the record nearly 25 years later. Favre tossed for three touchdowns, but also threw three interceptions. Typical Favre.
Top Ten passing performances by total yardage from an opposing QB
- Brett Favre: 388 yards (1998 Green Bay Packers)
- Kurt Warner: 381 yards (2008 Arizona Cardinals)
- Gardner Minshew II: 374 yards (2019 Jacksonville Jaguars)
- Kirk Cousins: 373 yards (2021 Minnesota Vikings)
- Aaron Rodgers: 369 yards (2015 Green Bay Packers)
- Jameis Winston: 367 yards (2017 Tampa Bay Bucaneers)
- Carson Palmer: 363 yards (2016 Cincinnati Bengals)
- Drew Brees: 359 yards (2011 New Orleans Saints)
- Jared Goff: 355 yards (2022 Los Angeles Rams)
- Jameis Winston: 353 yards (2022 New Orleans Saints)
By the way, two QBs NOT ON THIS LIST hold the record for most 300+ yard passing games as visitors at Bank of American Stadium: Jeff Garcia (yes, really) and Matt Ryan both have thrown for 300+ yards four times against the Panthers. But they may get company: Jameis Winston has done it three times.
Most receiving yards by opposing receiver at Bank of America Stadium
Jeff Garcia had some big games at The Bank, and one of his best was in 2008 when he teamed up with wide receiver Antonio Bryant for an even 200 yards through the air.
Top five receiving performances in total yardage at Bank of America Stadium
- Antonio Bryant: 200 yards (2008 Tampa Bay Bucaneers)
- Reggie Wayne: 168 yards (2007 Indianapolis Colts)
- Antonio Freeman: 166 yards (1997 Green Bay Packers)
- DJ Chark: 164 yards (2019 Jacksonville Jaguars)
- Tim Brown: 163 yards (1997 Oakland Raiders)
Most wins by opposing team at Bank of America Stadium
The Panthers are 112-105-2 at Bank of America Stadium since 1996. Only three teams, each of them division rivals, have as many as 10 wins at B of A:
- Atlanta Falcons: 14-13
- New Orleans Saints: 13-14
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 10-12
Panthers outlook for home games in 2023
Since starting the 2021 season 3-0, the Panthers have limped along at home, losing 10 of 15 games at Bank of America Stadium. But that disappointing trend may reverse in 2023.
The team has won four of its last five games at home dating back to a week before Halloween a year ago. The home opener will be an MNF game against the hated Saints, and it’s a chance for Bryce Young to grab his first NFL victory as a signal caller.
If you’re heading to the game, or any Panthers home game this season, check out our Carolina Panthers Gameday Guide.
Carolina Panthers odds are looking pretty long, but the roaring rioters that’ll pack Bank of American Stadium could be the 12th man the Panthers need to return to the top of the NFC South.
Image Credit: Mike McCarn / AP Images
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