| 2011 Carolina Panthers season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Jerry Richardson |
| General manager | Marty Hurney |
| Head coach | Ron Rivera |
| Home field | Bank of America Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 6–10 |
| Division place | 3rd NFC South |
| Playoff finish | Did not qualify |
| Pro Bowlers | Steve Smith, WR Ryan Kalil, C Cam Newton, QB |
The 2011 Carolina Panthers season was the franchise's 17th season in the National Football League (NFL) and the first season for Ron Rivera as head coach. In Week 16 of the 2010 season, the team clinched the NFL's worst record of that year and was given the #1 pick in the 2011 NFL draft, with which the team selected Auburn quarterback Cam Newton, the 2010 Heisman Trophy winner. They improved on their 2–14 record from 2010, and finished 6–10, missing the playoffs for the third year in a row.
Despite their losing record, Carolina made many improvements. According to Football Outsiders, the Panthers had the biggest year-to-year offensive improvement in their history: they were dead last in 2010, and moved up to 4th offensively in 2011, according to Football Outsiders' statistical formulas. In addition, Football Outsiders states that Carolina had the best running game in their calculations' history. This was due to the addition of Cam Newton's running ability to the high-quality running tandem of running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart.[1] The rushing attack eclipsed that of the previous record holder, the 2000 St. Louis Rams. In the process, Carolina became the first team in NFL history to have three players with 700 or more yards rushing in the same season: Williams with 836 yards, Stewart with 761 yards, and Newton with 706 yards. The Panthers also set the team record for net yards with 6,237, breaking the record originally set by the 2004 team.
Carolina's defense, however, was ranked last in the league, according to Football Outsiders.[1] They allowed the fifth-most total yards in the league on defense in 2011, and the sixth-most points. Their pass defense gave up 7.6 yards per pass attempt (tied for worst in the league), and their 6.2 yards allowed per play was tied for third-worst in the league.[2]