The Carolina Panthers set a NFL season record for what in 2001?
Answer
Most Consecutive Losses
The Carolina Panthers set an NFL season record for most consecutive losses in 2001. After winning their opening game against the Minnesota Vikings, Carolina lost its final 15 games, finishing the season with a 1–15 record.
The Panthers’ streak was especially notable because it came immediately after a victory. They became the first team in the Super Bowl era to win its opener and then lose every remaining game. Their 15 straight defeats surpassed the previous single-season mark of 14 losses, which had been shared by several teams, including the 1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1980 New Orleans Saints, 1981 Baltimore Colts, and 1990 New England Patriots.
The record did not last forever. The 2008 Detroit Lions went 0–16, losing all 16 games, and the 2017 Cleveland Browns later matched that winless record. Both teams therefore eclipsed Carolina’s 15-game streak.
Carolina’s difficult season also ended head coach George Seifert’s tenure. Despite the poor record, the Panthers selected defensive end Julius Peppers with the second overall pick in the 2002 draft, and he later became a Pro Football Hall of Fame player.