The Carolina Panthers saw their season end at the divisional round stage of the season, being beaten by the San Francisco 49ers in their first post-season game since 2008.
Ron Rivera's men won the NFC South division for the third time in their 19-year history, pipping the New Orleans Saints and securing the number two seed ranking in their half of the NFL.
Coach Rivera was also named as coach of the year at the NFL Honour awards.
Sport Mole looks back at their 2013 season:
Pre-season expectations
After a strong end to the 2012 campaign which saw the Panthers win their final four games in a row, many felt that they could prevail to the playoffs from a division which was seen as one of the most competitive in the league. Despite wanting to improve in the secondary, they drafted elsewhere, strengthening their defensive line with Star Lotulelei and Kawann Short out of Utah and Purdue respectively. Free agents Ted Ginn and Mike Mitchell were also added to the roster. Pre-season wins over the Chicago Bears, Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers gave Rivera's team confidence that they could transfer strong form into the regular season.
Highlight of the season
In mid-November, Monday Night Football returned to Charlotte for the first time in five years, and a dramatic ending to a game with the New England Patriots gave Carolina a last-gasp 24-20 win. Three down and with less than 60 seconds left on the clock, Cam Newton found Ginn with a touchdown pass to hand the Panthers the lead.
However, with the ball back and three seconds remaining, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady threw an interception to Panthers safety Robert Lester in the endzone. A flag was thrown by back judge Terrence Miles calling pass interference against Carolina's Luke Kuechly but after mulling over the call, the officials withdrew the flag and ended the game, allowing the hosts to improve to 7-3 in front of the second-largest crowd in franchise history. Following the game, wideout Steve Smith made national headlines when he told the Patriots' Aqib Talib to "ice up, son," after their in-game battle resulted in Talib leaving the game injured.
Biggest disappointment
Rather than an individual game, the Panthers' most disappointing aspect of the season was probably their slow start. A slim defeat to eventual Super Bowl winners the Seattle Seahawks in week one was followed by a very poor loss to a weak Buffalo Bills side. Despite trouncing the New York Giants 38-0, after their week four bye the Panthers lost their third game to the Arizona Cardinals. Thankfully, eight wins in a row following the Cardinals loss turned their season right around, but after an expectant pre-season three losses from four was worrying. Of course, losing that divisional game to the 49ers wasn't a particular highlight.
Player of the season
The Panthers boasted six Pro Bowlers come the end of the season, but there is little doubt that it was middle linebacker Luke Kuechley who had the best year of them all. Fresh from winning the 2012 Associated Press NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award, Kuechley established himself as one of the best players in his position across the league. This time around, he won the 2013 Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year, recorded 93 individual tackles, another 156 combined and two sacks. He also successfully defended seven pass attempts and made four interceptions. Defensive end Greg Hardy - who recorded 15 sacks to tie the franchise record - also deserves a mention.
Unsung hero
After being released from his role as kick returner with the San Francisco 49ers, 27-year-old Ted Ginn headed to Charlotte to try to get a receiving job in March 2013. Though many were unsure of the role that he would play for the Panthers, he went on to prove himself as an excellent third option behind Smith and Brandon LaFell. Ginn went on to make 36 receptions for over 550 yards, while also adding five touchdowns and impressive kick and punt returning stats to his name. Although he only signed a one-year deal originally, it would be surprising if the franchise let him go after the season that he had.
Off-season changes
With Rivera recently tied down to a new three-year contract, changes in the back room are pretty unlikely after what can be considered a strong season for the Carolina Panthers. In the 2014 Draft, there is little movement from the team, who have the 28th pick in the first round and it will be securing the returns of Mitchell, Ginn, Graham Gano and Captain Munnerlyn which the team are likely to prioritise. Adding to their offensive line is expected to be their strategy during the off-season.
2014 prospects
Qualifying for the playoffs for the first time under Rivera's tenure was excellent, but one post-season game is simply a wetting of the appetite. Now the team will hope to build on this season, relying on the likes of Newton, Kuechley and Smith to once again lead the them to glory. In 2014, the Atlanta Falcons will surely not suffer the injuries that they have this term, while the New Orleans Saints under Sean Payton are always strong. At this point, Carolina reaching the playoffs is realistic, but going 'one and done' again might not suffice as an achievement this time next year.
Joe McPhee
