The 2012 season was the Carolina Panthers' 18th in the National Football League and their second under head coachRon Rivera. A day after the Panthers loss to the Dallas Cowboys, general managerMarty Hurney was fired. Until a new general manager was hired, director of football operations Brandon Beane served as interim GM. In a statistical rarity, the team lost the first 13 of their coin tosses, an event with a 1 in 8,192 probability. In the 13th game, the Panthers asked fans on Facebook to make the call, but the vote ended in a 50/50 tie.
Logo change
On January 30, 2012, the Panthers unveiled an updated version of the team's logo, the team's first logo change since the Panthers entered the NFL in. The new logo would subsequently be added to the team's uniforms, around the stadium and on merchandise.
Looking to improve off of a 6–10 season from rookie coach Ron Rivera and quarterback Cam Newton, the Panthers got off to a tough start. The Panthers began the season with a dismal 2–8 record through their first 10 games. The Panthers played competitively throughout most games the entire season with an exception of a 36–7 loss to the defending Super Bowl ChampionNew York Giants where the Panthers fell to a 20–0 deficit early in the game and could not recover. Many would turn to a victory on November 26 in a prime time match up against the struggling Philadelphia Eagles as the turning point in the season for the Panthers. With that win on Monday Night Football, the Panthers would go on to win 5 of their remaining 6 games, rattling off 4 victories in a row to finish the season, with one victory coming against the NFC's #1 seed Atlanta Falcons, the first win in the series for the Panthers since the 2009 season.
The Panthers started the season at 0–1 picking up their 4th straight regular season opening loss. Also, the team dropped to 0–11 in games where starting QB Cam Newton turns the ball over as he was picked off twice.
With the win, the Panthers improved to 1–1, snapping their 4-game losing streak against the Saints. Also, the team improved to 1–11 in games where Newton has at least 1 turnover.
Week 3: vs. New York Giants
With the huge loss on Thursday Night Football, the Panthers fell to 1–2. The team also dropped to 1–12 in games where Cam Newton has at least 1 turnover.
Week 4: at Atlanta Falcons
With their 5th straight loss to the Falcons, the Panthers fell to 1–3. Also for the first time ever the team also loses a game after Newton doesn't have a turnover as that record fell to 6–1.
Week 5: vs. Seattle Seahawks
With the loss, the Panthers head into their bye week at 1–4. Also, the team dropped to 1–13 in games where Newton has a least a turnover.
With the loss, the Panthers fell to 2–8. Also, QB Cam Newton suffered being swept by all 3 division rival teams as the team dropped to 7–2 in games where he does not have a turnover.
Week 12: at Philadelphia Eagles
With the win the Panthers improved to 3–8 and also 8–2 in games where Newton does not have a turnover.
With the loss, the Panthers dropped to 3–9 securing them their 3rd straight losing season and also the team dropped in records to 0–2 against the AFC West and then to a record of 8–3 when Newton does not turn the ball over.
Week 14: vs. Atlanta Falcons
With the surprising win, the Panthers improved to 4–9 and snapped their 5-game losing streak to the Falcons. Also, the team improved to 9–3 in games where Newton does not have a turnover.
With the win, the Panthers improved to 5–9 and 10–3 when Newton does not have a turnover. It also leaves the Panthers 1–2 against the AFC West.
Week 16: vs. Oakland Raiders
With the win, the Panthers improved to 6–9 and 2–16 when Newton turns the ball over at least once. Also, the team finished the season 2–2 against the AFC West.
Week 17: at New Orleans Saints
With the win the Panthers finished 7–9 and good enough for 2nd place in the NFC South, sweeping the Saints for the first time since 2008. Also, the team improved to 3–16 in games when Newton has a turnover. Also, Newton was one touchdown shy of being a 4th QB to have at least 20 passing touchdowns in his first 2 seasons as his total record of passing touchdowns stood at 19 while his rushing touchdowns stood at 8 leaving him with a failed improvement finishing with 27 total touchdowns.
