2001 Carolina Panthers season

2001 Carolina Panthers season
Owner	Jerry Richardson
Head coach	George Seifert
Home field	Ericsson Stadium
Results
Record	1–15
Division place	5th NFC West
Playoff finish	Did not qualify
Pro Bowlers	TE Wesley Walls WR Steve Smith P Todd Sauerbrun

The New England Patriots at Carolina in Week 17 on January 6, 2002

The 2001 Carolina Panthers season was the franchise's 7th season in the National Football League (NFL) and the 3rd and final under head coach George Seifert. They tried to improve upon their 7–9 record in 2000, and make it to the playoffs for the second time in franchise history; however, the season was a wreck. Not only were the Panthers unable to improve over their previous season, but they deteriorated even further, dropping to 1–15.

The Panthers defeated the Minnesota Vikings in their opening game of the season, and then became the first team in the Super Bowl era to lose fifteen consecutive games afterwards. The Panthers were the only team since the expansion to 16 games in 1978 to have won their opener and lose the remainder of the season until the 2020 Jacksonville Jaguars became the second team to accomplish this feat.

The Panthers consequently beat the record for most consecutive losses during a single NFL season that had been shared by the 1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1980 New Orleans Saints, 1981 Baltimore Colts and 1990 New England Patriots. This record has since been broken by two winless teams: the 2008 Detroit Lions and 2017 Cleveland Browns. The 2001 Panthers also became the seventh team to finish 1–15 .

By the end of the season, the Panthers had become so incapacitated that only about 16,000 fans showed up to see them play in their finale against the New England Patriots, who eventually went on to win Super Bowl XXXVI. Coincidentally, the Panthers would face the Patriots two seasons later in Super Bowl XXXVIII. Following their terrible season, head coach George Seifert was fired and replaced by New York Giants defensive coordinator John Fox.

Despite having the worst record in the league, the Panthers did not have the number-one overall draft pick in the 2002 NFL Draft due to the debut season of the expansion Houston Texans. This feat would be repeated in 2023, when the Panthers trade their number-one overall draft pick to the Chicago Bears.

In 2015, the Panthers went 15–1, becoming the first team in NFL history to have both 15 losses and 15 wins in a season; the 2023 team also went on to have a 15 loss season, finishing 2–15. To date, this remains the Panthers' worst season in franchise history.

Offseason

NFL Draft

Main article: 2001 NFL Draft

2001 Carolina Panthers draft
Round	Pick	Player	Position	College	Notes
1	11	Dan Morgan *	Linebacker	Miami (FL)
2	44	Kris Jenkins *	Defensive tackle	Maryland
3	74	Steve Smith *	Wide receiver	Utah
4	106	Chris Weinke	Quarterback	Florida State
5	143	Jarrod Cooper	Defensive back	Kansas State
6	175	Dee Brown	Running back	Syracuse
7	211	Louis Williams	Center	Louisiana State
7	227	Mike Roberg	Tight end	Idaho
Made roster    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Undrafted free agents

2001 Undrafted Free Agents of note

Player	Position	College
Nick Goings	Running back	Pittsburgh
Nathan Hodel	Long snapper	Illinois

Personnel

Staff

2001 Carolina Panthers staff

Front office Owner/founder – Jerry Richardson President – Mark Richardson Director of football operations – Marty Hurney Director of player personnel – Jack Bushofsky Head coaches Head coach – George Seifert Offensive coaches Assistant head coach/offensive coordinator – Richard Williamson Quarterbacks – Turk Schonert Running backs – Chick Harris Wide receivers – Mike McCoy Tight ends – Don Breaux Offensive line – Paul Boudreau Offensive assistant – Greg Roman

Defensive coaches Assistant head coach/defensive coordinator – John Marshall Defensive line – Jacob Burney Linebackers – Sam Mills Defensive Backs (Secondary) – Carlos Mainord Defensive assistant – Alvin Reynolds Special teams coaches Special teams – Scott O'Brien Assistant special teams coordinator/assistant strength and conditioning – Darrin Simmons Strength and conditioning Strength and conditioning – Jerry Simmons

Roster

2001 Carolina Panthers roster

Quarterbacks (QB)  5 Jim Harbaugh  9 Matt Lytle 16 Chris Weinke Running backs (RB) 36 Nick Goings 44 Chris Hetherington FB 45 Brad Hoover FB 34 Richard Huntley Wide receivers (WR) 82 Isaac Byrd 88 Karl Hankton 81 Donald Hayes 83 Patrick Jeffers 87 Muhsin Muhammad 89 Steve Smith 15 Jim Turner Tight ends (TE) 80 Luther Broughton 84 Casey Crawford 86 Kris Mangum

Offensive linemen (OL) 78 Jeno James G 76 Leander Jordan G 60 Jeff Mitchell C 63 Jamar Nesbit C/G 75 Todd Steussie T 70 Chris Terry T 73 Melvin Tuten T 62 T. J. Washington T 66 Louis Williams C Defensive linemen (DL) 99 Brentson Buckner DT 94 Sean Gilbert DE/DT 77 Kris Jenkins DT 91 Cedric Killings DT 71 Al Lucas DT 93 Mike Rucker DE 96 Jay Williams DE 92 Gillis Wilson DE

Linebackers (LB) 59 Darren Hambrick OLB 54 Nate Hemsley OLB 52 Kory Minor OLB 55 Dan Morgan OLB 50 Chris Slade OLB 57 Lester Towns MLB 95 Dean Wells Defensive backs (DB) 46 Rashard Anderson CB 40 Jarrod Cooper FS 33 Doug Evans CB 27 Deon Grant FS 28 Deveron Harper CB 37 Jimmy Hitchcock CB 23 Reggie Howard CB 30 Mike Minter SS 39 Damien Richardson SS Special teams  4 John Kasay K 56 Jason Kyle LS 10 Todd Sauerbrun P

Rookies in italics 53 active, 9 reserve, 4 practice squad

Regular season

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Recap
1	September 9	at Minnesota Vikings	W 24–13	1–0	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome	Recap
2	September 23	at Atlanta Falcons	L 16–24	1–1	Georgia Dome	Recap
3	September 30	Green Bay Packers	L 7–28	1–2	Ericsson Stadium	Recap
4	October 7	at San Francisco 49ers	L 14–24	1–3	3Com Park	Recap
5	October 14	New Orleans Saints	L 25–27	1–4	Ericsson Stadium	Recap
6	October 21	at Washington Redskins	L 14–17 (OT)	1–5	FedExField	Recap
7	October 28	New York Jets	L 12–13	1–6	Ericsson Stadium	Recap
8	November 4	at Miami Dolphins	L 6–23	1–7	Pro Player Stadium	Recap
9	November 11	at St. Louis Rams	L 14–48	1–8	Dome at America's Center	Recap
10	November 18	San Francisco 49ers	L 22–25 (OT)	1–9	Ericsson Stadium	Recap
11	November 25	Atlanta Falcons	L 7–10	1–10	Ericsson Stadium	Recap
12	December 2	at New Orleans Saints	L 23–27	1–11	Louisiana Superdome	Recap
13	December 9	at Buffalo Bills	L 24–25	1–12	Ralph Wilson Stadium	Recap
14	Bye
15	December 23	St. Louis Rams	L 32–38	1–13	Ericsson Stadium	Recap
16	December 30	Arizona Cardinals	L 7–30	1–14	Ericsson Stadium	Recap
17	January 6	New England Patriots	L 6–38	1–15	Ericsson Stadium	Recap
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: at Minnesota Vikings

Week 1: Carolina Panthers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Panthers	7	3	7	7	24
Vikings	0	0	13	0	13

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

• Date: September 9
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT/12:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: None (played indoors)
• Game attendance: 64,108
• Referee: Wayne McKreight
• TV announcers (Fox): Ray Bentley, Jeff Lageman, and Mike Goldberg
• Recap

Game information

First quarter CAR – Steve Smith Sr. 93-yard kickoff return (John Kasay kick), 14:43. Panthers 7–0. Second quarter CAR – John Kasay 23-yard field goal, 11:43. Panthers 10–0. Drive: 7 plays, 41 yards, 3:34. Third quarter MIN – Daunte Culpepper 7-yard run (Gary Anderson kick), 9:09. Panthers 10–7. Drive: 6 plays, 51 yards, 3:09. MIN – Cris Carter 12-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (kick blocked), 6:05. Vikings 13–10. Drive: 5 plays, 49 yards, 2:03. CAR – Muhsin Muhammad 16-yard pass from Chris Weinke (John Kasay kick), 2:53. Panthers 17–13. Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 3:12. Fourth quarter CAR – Chris Weinke 1-yard run (John Kasay kick), 9:52. Panthers 24–13. Drive: 7 plays, 34 yards, 3:45. Top passers CAR – Chris Weinke – 13/22, 223 yards, TD, INT MIN – Daunte Culpepper – 22/38, 236 yards, TD, 3 INT Top rushers CAR – Nick Goings – 25 rushes, 86 yards MIN – Daunte Culpepper – 12 rushes, 57 yards, TD Top receivers CAR – Wesley Walls – 3 receptions, 74 yards MIN – Byron Chamberlain – 7 receptions, 83 yards

This would be Carolina's only victory of the 2001 season. The Panthers would not win again until week 1 of the 2002 season.

Week 2: at Atlanta Falcons

Week 2: Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Panthers	3	7	3	3	16
Falcons	7	3	7	7	24

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

• Date: September 23
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
• Game weather: None (played indoors)
• Game attendance: 47,804
• Referee: Bob McElwee
• TV: Fox
• Recap

Game information

First quarter ATL – Tony Martin 12-yard pass from Chris Chandler (Jay Feely kick), 7:20. Falcons 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 76 yards, 7:08. CAR – John Kasay 30-yard field goal, 2:41. Falcons 7–3. Drive: 10 plays, 63 yards, 3:44. Second quarter CAR – Chris Weinke 5-yard run (John Kasay kick), 8:34. Panthers 10–7. Drive: 14 plays, 76 yards, 7:32. ATL – Jay Feely 25-yard field goal, 1:38. Tied 10–10. Drive: 13 plays, 67 yards, 5:43. Third quarter ATL – Jamal Anderson 94-yard pass from Chris Chandler (Jay Feely kick), 11:06. Falcons 17–10. Drive: 1 play, 94 yards, 0:13. CAR – John Kasay 26-yard field goal, 2:30. Falcons 17–13. Drive: 8 plays, 38 yards, 2:20. Fourth quarter ATL – Michael Vick 2-yard run (Jay Feely kick), 12:36. Falcons 24–13. Drive: 9 plays, 74 yards, 4:54. CAR – John Kasay 31-yard field goal, 5:37. Falcons 24–16. Drive: 13 plays, 67 yards, 5:36. Top passers CAR – Chris Weinke – 27/41, 276 yards ATL – Chris Chandler – 11/14, 244 yards, 2 TD, INT Top rushers CAR – Nick Goings – 15 rushes, 57 yards ATL – Jamal Anderson – 25 rushes, 98 yards Top receivers CAR – Muhsin Muhammad – 10 receptions, 132 yards ATL – Jamal Anderson – 1 reception, 94 yards, TD

Week 3: vs. Green Bay Packers

Week 3: Green Bay Packers at Carolina Panthers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Packers	0	6	15	7	28
Panthers	0	7	0	0	7

at Ericsson Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

• Date: September 30
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
• Game weather: 64 °F (18 °C)
• Game attendance: 73,120
• Referee: Tony Corrente
• TV: Fox
• Recap

Game information

First quarter No scoring plays Second quarter CAR – Wesley Walls 3-yard pass from Chris Weinke (John Kasay kick), 13:44. Panthers 7–0. Drive: 11 plays, 58 yards, 3:51. GB – Ryan Longwell 42-yard field goal, 8:26. Panthers 7–3. Drive: 9 plays, 69 yards, 3:50. GB – Ryan Longwell 46-yard field goal, 0:58. Panthers 7–6. Drive: 11 plays, 58 yards, 5:11. Third quarter GB – Bill Schroeder 12-yard pass from Brett Favre (Antonio Freeman pass from Brett Favre), 12:20. Packers 14–7. Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards, 2:18. GB – Bubba Franks 6-yard pass from Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick), 8:30. Packers 21–7. Drive: 8 plays, 38 yards, 2:36. Fourth quarter GB – Corey Bradford 5-yard pass from Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick), 12:23. Packers 28–7. Drive: 8 plays, 48 yards, 3:46. Top passers GB – Brett Favre – 25/39, 308 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT CAR – Chris Weinke – 18/30, 160 yards, TD, INT Top rushers GB – Ahman Green – 19 rushes, 53 yards CAR – Richard Huntley – 5 rushes, 19 yards Top receivers GB – Ahman Green – 6 receptions, 75 yards CAR – Donald Hayes – 4 receptions, 52 yards

Week 4: at San Francisco 49ers

Week 4: Carolina Panthers at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Panthers	0	7	7	0	14
49ers	0	10	14	0	24

at 3Com Park, San Francisco, California

• Date: October 7
• Game time: 8:30 p.m. EDT/5:30 p.m. PDT
• Game weather: 52 °F (11 °C)
• Game attendance: 66,944
• Referee: Terry McAulay
• TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Patrick, Joe Theismann, and Suzy Kolber
• Recap

Week 5: vs. New Orleans Saints

Week 5: New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Saints	10	7	3	7	27
Panthers	0	6	6	13	25

at Ericsson Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

• Date: October 14
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
• Game weather: 71 °F (22 °C)
• Game attendance: 72,049
• Referee: Ron Winter
• TV: Fox
• Recap

Week 6: at Washington Redskins

Week 6: Carolina Panthers at Washington Redskins – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	OT	Total
Panthers	7	0	0	7	0	14
Redskins	0	0	0	14	3	17

at FedEx Field, Landover, Maryland

• Date: October 21
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
• Game weather: 71 °F (22 °C)
• Game attendance: 74,480
• Referee: Bill Carollo
• TV: Fox
• Recap

Week 7: vs. New York Jets

Week 7: New York Jets at Carolina Panthers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Jets	7	0	3	3	13
Panthers	6	3	3	0	12

at Ericsson Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

• Date: October 28
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
• Game weather: 51 °F (11 °C)
• Game attendance: 72,642
• Referee: Bill Leavy
• TV: CBS
• Recap

Game information

First quarter CAR – Rashard Anderson 94-yard fumble return (kick failed), 8:27. Panthers 6–0. NYJ – Chris Hayes 7-yard blocked punt return (John Hall kick), 1:46. Jets 7–6. Second quarter CAR – John Kasay 45-yard field goal, 0:00. Panthers 9–7. Drive: 1 play, 0 yards, 0:02. Third quarter CAR – John Kasay 45-yard field goal, 12:10. Panthers 12–7. Drive: 4 plays, 9 yards, 1:36. NYJ – John Hall 43-yard field goal, 7:52. Panthers 12–10. Drive: 8 plays, 36 yards, 4:18. Fourth quarter NYJ – John Hall 34-yard field goal, 4:53. Jets 13–12. Drive: 4 plays, 5 yards, 2:00. Top passers NYJ – Vinny Testaverde – 21/34, 181 yards, 3 INT CAR – Chris Weinke – 12/34, 76 yards, INT Top rushers NYJ – Curtis Martin – 27 rushes, 159 yards CAR – Richard Huntley – 14 rushes, 52 yards Top receivers NYJ – Laveranues Coles – 7 receptions, 91 yards CAR – Donald Hayes – 3 receptions, 23 yards

Both offenses struggled throughout the game as the Jets gained 358 yards of total offense, but turned the ball over four times; conversely, the Panthers only had one turnover, but only gained 162 yards of total offense. Carolina scored first, with Rashard Anderson recovering a fumble and returning it 94 yards for a touchdown, but John Kasay missed the extra point. New York would respond late in the second quarter, with Chris Hayes returning a blocked punt 7 yards for a touchdown. The Panthers would score six unanswered points with a pair of 45-yard field goals from Kasay to go up 12–7 early in the third. However, Kasay's missed extra point would prove to be costly as the Jets would respond with two field goals of their own to win 13–12.

Week 8: at Miami Dolphins

Week 8: Carolina Panthers at Miami Dolphins – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Panthers	3	3	0	0	6
Dolphins	3	10	0	10	23

at Pro Player Stadium, Miami, Florida

• Date: November 4
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
• Game weather: 75 °F (24 °C)
• Game attendance: 72,597
• Referee: Ron Blum
• TV: Fox
• Recap

Week 9: at St. Louis Rams

Week 9: Carolina Panthers at St. Louis Rams – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Panthers	0	7	7	0	14
Rams	21	10	14	3	48

at Dome at America's Center, St. Louis, Missouri

• Date: November 11
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: None (played indoors)
• Game attendance: 66,069
• Referee: Johnny Grier
• TV: Fox
• Recap

Week 10: vs. San Francisco 49ers

Week 10: San Francisco 49ers at Carolina Panthers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	OT	Total
49ers	0	7	7	8	3	25
Panthers	7	3	3	9	0	22

at Ericsson Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

• Date: November 18
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
• Game weather: 60 °F (16 °C)
• Game attendance: 72,665
• Referee: Gerry Austin
• TV: Fox
• Recap

Week 11: vs. Atlanta Falcons

Week 11: Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Falcons	3	7	0	0	10
Panthers	0	0	0	7	7

at Ericsson Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

• Date: November 25
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
• Game weather: 73 °F (23 °C)
• Game attendance: 72,234
• Referee: Tony Corrente
• TV: Fox
• Recap

Week 12: at New Orleans Saints

Week 12: Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Panthers	7	0	3	13	23
Saints	0	10	3	14	27

at Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

• Date: December 2
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: None (played indoors)
• Game attendance: 70,020
• Referee: Bill Leavy
• TV: Fox
• Recap

Week 13: at Buffalo Bills

Week 13: Carolina Panthers at Buffalo Bills – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Panthers	3	21	0	0	24
Bills	3	10	6	6	25

at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

• Date: December 9
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
• Game weather: 40 °F (4 °C)
• Game attendance: 44,549
• Referee: Bill Carollo
• TV: Fox
• Recap

Week 15: vs. St. Louis Rams

Week 15: St. Louis Rams at Carolina Panthers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Rams	7	14	10	7	38
Panthers	7	6	10	9	32

at Ericsson Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

• Date: December 23
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
• Game weather: 51 °F (11 °C)
• Game attendance: 72,438
• Referee: Gerry Austin
• TV: Fox
• Recap

Week 16: vs. Arizona Cardinals

Week 16: Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Cardinals	7	20	3	0	30
Panthers	0	7	0	0	7

at Ericsson Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

• Date: December 30
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
• Game weather: 42 °F (6 °C)
• Game attendance: 72,025
• Referee: Mike Carey
• TV: Fox
• Recap

Week 17: vs. New England Patriots

Week 17: New England Patriots at Carolina Panthers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Patriots	10	0	14	14	38
Panthers	0	3	3	0	6

at Ericsson Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

• Date: January 6, 2002
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
• Game weather: 36 °F (2 °C)
• Game attendance: 71,907
• Referee: Tom White
• TV: CBS
• Recap

Game information

First quarter NE – Adam Vinatieri 19-yard field goal, 10:04. Patriots 3–0. Drive: 11 plays, 52 yards, 4:13. NE – Ty Law 46-yard interception return (Adam Vinatieri kick), 7:58. Patriots 10–0. Second quarter CAR – John Kasay 29-yard field goal, 6:25. Patriots 10–3. Drive: 10 plays, 57 yards, 4:19. Third quarter NE – Troy Brown 68-yard punt return (Adam Vinatieri kick), 8:30. Patriots 17–3. CAR – John Kasay 40-yard field goal, 4:46. Patriots 17–6. Drive: 7 plays, 48 yards, 2:09. NE – Antowain Smith 32-yard run (Adam Vinatieri kick), 1:29. Patriots 24–6. Drive: 6 plays, 63 yards, 2:37. Fourth quarter NE – Jermaine Wiggins 5-yard pass from Tom Brady (Adam Vinatieri kick), 10:38. Patriots 31–6. Drive: 3 plays, 9 yards, 0:09. NE – Otis Smith 76-yard interception return (Adam Vinatieri kick), 5:45. Patriots 38–6. Top passers NE – Tom Brady – 17/29, 198 yards, TD, 2 INT CAR – Chris Weinke – 15/36, 144 yards, 3 INT Top rushers NE – Antowain Smith – 21 rushes, 81 yards, TD CAR – Richard Huntley – 21 rushes, 168 yards Top receivers NE – David Patten – 4 receptions, 54 yards CAR – Brad Hoover – 4 receptions, 44 yards

With the loss, the Panthers lost their 15th game in a row and finished the season at 1–15. The Panthers finished with the worst record in the NFL, but only received the second overall pick in the 2002 NFL Draft due to the first overall pick being awarded to the Houston Texans, an expansion team. This would be the last game the Panthers played as a member of the NFC West as they were moved to the newly formed NFC South starting next season. Carolina was joined by New Orleans, Atlanta (both also coming from the NFC West), and Tampa Bay (from the NFC Central, which was renamed to the NFC North).

Head coach George Seifert would be fired the following day, finishing his tenure at Carolina with a record of 16–32 and zero playoff appearances.

Standings

NFC West
	W	L	T	PCT	PF	PA	STK
(1) St. Louis Rams	14	2	0	.875	503	273	W6
(5) San Francisco 49ers	12	4	0	.750	409	282	W1
New Orleans Saints	7	9	0	.438	333	409	L4
Atlanta Falcons	7	9	0	.438	291	377	L2
Carolina Panthers	1	15	0	.063	253	410	L15